Building Your Social Enterprise in a Digital Economy

📅 Friday, 16 May 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation (LMCF)
Morning tea provided

The digital economy is changing the game for social enterprises—shaping how they’re created, how they grow, and how they deliver impact at scale. But with these new digital tools come important questions, challenges, and trade-offs. This session will dive into the practical realities of building a social enterprise in the digital age: the tools that can support your mission, the tensions they can create, and the strategies to navigate it all from an entrepreneurial perspective.

This event brings together experienced voices in the field to help early and growth-stage social enterprises navigate the complex and fast-changing digital landscape. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, this session will equip you with fresh insights, practical tools, and real-world examples to support your enterprise’s digital journey!

What to Expect:

🧡 The Origin and Growth Story of HoMie
Marcus Crook, Co-Founder of HoMie, will share the journey of building one of Melbourne’s most recognised social enterprise fashion labels—from a bold idea to a thriving brand making a real impact to support young people affected by homelessness or hardship.

🧡 Measuring What Matters: Using Digital Tools for Impact
Duncan Fogg, Director, will introduce Seedkit - a digital tool designed to support social enterprises in tracking and communicating their impact. Learn how tools like this can streamline your reporting, operations and enhance your storytelling.

🧡 Generative AI: Navigating the Trade-offs and Tensions
Dr. Melissa Wheeler from RMIT will explore the rise of generative AI and how social enterprises can approach these tools critically and creatively. What are the benefits? What are the ethical tensions? And how can you use AI in ways that support—not compromise—your mission?

Whether you’re curious about digital transformation, keen to adopt new tools, or just want to connect with peers navigating similar challenges, this session will offer inspiration, clarity, and connection!

This event is ideal for:

Early-stage social entrepreneurs developing a digital strategy
Growth-stage enterprises looking to scale their operations or impact
Changemakers interested in ethical tech, innovation, and values-aligned growth

We’re excited to welcome social enterprises to this event, with a focus on those that have a registered business address within the City of Melbourne – including Carlton, Parkville, East and West Melbourne, North Melbourne, Kensington, Docklands, South Yarra, Southbank, and the CBD Hoddle Grid. When signing up, please include your registered business address and postcode.

While priority is given to enterprises based in these areas, we do have little room for those who operate within the City of Melbourne, even if registered elsewhere. Please note that tickets purchased that don’t meet these criteria may be subject to refund—we’ll be in touch if that’s the case.

We hope to see you there!

SENVIC Team