The Next Generation of Social Entrepreneurs: Reflections from LSE

This week, Cornerstone Place Co-Founder Richard Kennedy had the privilege of speaking to students on the MSc Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship programme at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

The cohort were a talented, values-driven group of individuals from across the world — including the US, Peru, Colombia, India, and Japan — all united by a shared ambition to create positive change through enterprise.

The session explored what happens when markets fail: when housing becomes unaffordable, when health systems reach breaking point, and when inequality becomes embedded in the structure of our economies. The conversation turned to how social entrepreneurs can respond — not just by patching a broken system, but by reimagining it entirely, with justice, dignity, and service at the core.

During the Q&A, Richard was asked what advice he would give to someone starting their journey as a social entrepreneur. His response offered three guiding principles:

Be resilient.

The work is hard. Systems resist change. Progress can be slow. But there’s always a way through — even if it’s not immediately visible.

Be tenacious.

Funding gaps, policy shifts, and unexpected setbacks will happen. What matters is showing up again and again, staying focused, and holding your vision steady.

Keep the impact at the centre.

Social impact must never drift to the margins. It’s the reason you start, and the reason it matters. Keep it as your anchor.

As Richard shared:

“Social entrepreneurship isn’t a side project. It’s a strategy for justice. It’s what happens when we decide that business can serve people and purpose — not just profit.”

Following the session, Richard joined students Saki, Ayesha, Paroma, Linda, and Yally for dinner — a rich and energising continuation of the conversation, centred around shared hopes for a more just, more compassionate future.

To the students and faculty at LSE — thank you for your energy, your questions, and your commitment. The challenges we face are urgent, but so is the opportunity.

The time is now. And you are the ones.