Organization · Other

Social Impact gGmbH

Social Impact gGmbH is a non-profit organization based in Potsdam, Germany, focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship. Established in 1994, it supports social startups and initiatives across Europe, aiming to address societal challenges through innovative solutions.

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Overview

What Social Impact gGmbH does

What Social Impact gGmbH is

Social Impact gGmbH is a non-profit organization based in Potsdam, Germany, focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship. Established in 1994, it supports social startups and initiatives across Europe, aiming to address societal challenges through innovative solutions.

How it participates in the startup ecosystem

The current public profile supports funder and community and event host and publisher capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.

Operational profile

Organization status and context

Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.

Operational status
Active
Organization type
Other
Founded
Founded in 1994
Approximate age
About 32 years
Structured capabilities
Funder · Community · Event host · Publisher
Last reviewed
March 19, 2026

Official channels

Find Social Impact gGmbH elsewhere

Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.

Capability profile

Social Impact gGmbH as a funder

Investment thesis

Social Impact gGmbH focuses on developing infrastructures and projects to address societal challenges through social innovations and strong networks.

Focus narrative

Social Impact invests in social entrepreneurship, inclusive entrepreneurship, educational innovations, and rural development. They provide support to social startups and organizations at various stages, aiming to create societal impact through innovative solutions.

Value beyond capital

Social Impact provides funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to social startups, helping them to develop and implement innovative solutions that address societal challenges.

Terms and economics

Typical check
$2,500–$100,000

Focus and fit

Regions
Europe

Availability

Currently deploying
Yes

Portfolio and track record

Recorded portfolio count
7,000

Portfolio context

Social Impact has supported over 7,000 startups and social enterprises since its inception. Notable initiatives include the 'Teilhabe schaffen' social startup pitch, which awards funding to projects that enhance the participation of individuals with migration backgrounds through cultural and artistic means.

Capability profile

Social Impact gGmbH as a community

Community overview

Social Impact gGmbH is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 and based in Potsdam, Germany. The organization focuses on developing infrastructures and projects to address societal challenges, promoting social innovations, and building strong networks.

Community focus

Social Impact invests in social entrepreneurship, inclusive entrepreneurship, educational innovations, and rural development. They provide support to social startups and organizations at various stages, aiming to create societal impact through innovative solutions. Their geographical focus includes Germany and the broader European context.

Member value

Members benefit from access to funding opportunities, networking with welfare organizations, and participation in various programs designed to foster social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Membership

Recorded members
7,000
Pricing models
free

Format and cadence

Modality
in-person
Schedule
rolling-admissions
Commitment
light

Availability

Membership state
Accepting
Next recorded event
October 27, 2026

Audience and fit

Audience
Founders · Students
Benefits
network-access and grant-funding
Program types
community and other
Selection criteria
open
Regions
Europe

Community activity

Events and activity

Social Impact organizes various events, including the 'Teilhabe schaffen' pitch competition and the 'Challenge' series, which connects social startups with welfare organizations for collaborative projects.

Notable members

Notable team members include Norbert Kunz, Gabriela Spangenberg, and Thorsten Jahnke, all serving as Managing Directors.

Capability profile

Social Impact gGmbH as an event host

Event focus

Social Impact gGmbH invests in social entrepreneurship, inclusive entrepreneurship, educational innovations, and rural development. They provide support to social startups and organizations at various stages, aiming to create societal impact through innovative solutions.

Format narrative

Social Impact organizes various events, including pitch competitions and collaborative project series, to connect social startups with welfare organizations.

Participant value

By fostering social innovations and building strong networks, Social Impact aims to create a positive societal impact through its support for social startups.

Format and cadence

Event types
pitch-night
Startups can present
Yes

Availability

Registration state
Not currently accepting
Next recorded event
October 27, 2026
Next event location
Potsdam, Germany

Audience and fit

Audience
Founders · Investors
Regions
Europe

Speakers and past editions

Past editions

Social Impact has supported over 7,000 startups and social enterprises since its inception. Notable initiatives include the 'Teilhabe schaffen' social startup pitch, which awards funding to projects that enhance the participation of individuals with migration backgrounds through cultural and artistic means.

Capability profile

Social Impact gGmbH as a publisher

Editorial focus

Social Impact gGmbH is dedicated to developing infrastructures and projects that address societal challenges through social innovations. The organization supports social startups and organizations at various stages, focusing on social entrepreneurship, inclusive entrepreneurship, educational innovations, and rural development. Their efforts aim to create a significant societal impact through innovative solutions.

Audience value

Social Impact provides essential support to social startups and organizations, fostering innovation and collaboration to create societal impact through various programs and initiatives.

Format and cadence

Content formats
newsletter, blog, and podcast
Primary platform
Website

Availability

Guest pitch state
Not currently accepting

Audience and focus

Audience
Founders · Students
Regions
Europe

Flagship work and coverage

Flagship properties

Social Impact publishes a newsletter, maintains a blog, and hosts the podcast 'Social Innovation. NOW!' which discusses themes relevant to social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Notable coverage

Social Impact has supported over 7,000 startups and social enterprises since its inception, with notable initiatives like the 'Teilhabe schaffen' social startup pitch competition.

Connected ecosystem

Continue from Social Impact gGmbH

These links use structured organization type, sector, and regional relationships. They do not imply endorsement or commercial similarity.

Common questions

What to know about Social Impact gGmbH

Upseed classifies Social Impact gGmbH under the Other organization type. Its current public profile includes funder, community, event host, and publisher capabilities.

Next step

Keep comparing startup organizations

Return to the organization index or continue through a verified sector, place, peer, or program connected to this profile.

Source and update disclosure

Know what this page is based on

Source basis

Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.

Last reviewed

March 19, 2026

Known limits

Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.

Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.