_5
being a series of hypothesis to one or more
prototypes.
An important aspect of this stage is to engage
with the stakeholders and the wider community
in order to create initial ownership of the
solutions that they are proposing. This is not just
about validating a prototype, but also beyond
this
about
involving
the
stakeholders
community in the design and validation of the
solution.
Looking at the external circle, this is the stage
where more mature social innovations are
looking for investments. Key cornerstone of the
feasibility stage is to secure organizational and
financial sustainability, therefore introductions
to investors and scaling partners are also
proposed at this stage.
The way the incubators are working with the
prototypes are always influenced by the end
goal of the Social Innovation Journey; i.e. to
increase social impact. The social impact aspect
is also influential in investigating the
sustainability of the idea and its social business
model, and exploring value systems based on
sharing, collaboration and reciprocity.
It is at this stage that Transition partners foresee
the possibility for social innovators to access the
Transnational
StartUp
Lab
programme,
dedicated to the transnational scaling of a
solution through the network of Transition
Scaling Centres.
The aim of the Transnational Startup Lab is to
help social innovators prototype their project in
a new country. The transnational partner
incubators designed programmes of group
activities to help participants think about how
their idea would work in a new context (such as
carrying out a rapid prototyping sessions). They
also helped to match social innovators with
appropriate local contacts and connections, as
well as offering some individualised follow-on
coaching.
The interviews that follow will provide you with
more details about the How Stage and the
Transnational StartUp Lab programme