Empowering The Marginalized: Integrating Social Entrepreneurship and Inclusive Innovation

Abstract

Social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation play a central role in tackling deep-rooted social issues, especially in emerging economies. This chapter reviews how purpose-driven businesses and innovation efforts can work together to uplift marginalised communities and support fair economic development. It closely examines how these ideas are defined and applied, using both global and Indian case studies to illustrate their real-world impact. This chapter outlines how social entrepreneurs build inclusive value by going beyond profit to create solutions that benefit those often excluded from traditional systems. It also examines the policies that help or hinder this work and stresses the importance of a collaborative environment. For lasting change, innovation and entrepreneurship must embed inclusion in their core processes, which requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders across sectors. The intersection of social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation forms a strong approach to reducing social and economic inequalities. This article explores the theoretical links between these two fields by drawing on research across disciplines and showing how social ventures use innovation to bring underserved groups into the fold of development. It synthesises theories, case studies, and practical findings from different countries to illustrate how these two approaches support each other. In doing so, it offers a clearer picture of how they connect, what helps or blocks their integration, and proposes a framework that future studies and policymakers can use.