Social Capital Ventures: Water for life in the Cambodian countryside

• Main Authors: OHLSSON-CORBOZ, Anne-Valerie, ZERRILLO, Philip C.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2014
• Subjects: Social enterprise; Cambodia; Social Capital Ventures Development (SCVD); sustainability of ventures; clean water; entrepreneurship; new venture creation; new venture development; social entrepreneurship; Business Administration, Management, and Operations; Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics; Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/cases_coll_all/85; https://cmp.smu.edu.sg/case/2901
• Institution: Singapore Management University

The case follows the foundation and growth of a social enterprise based in Cambodia. “The venture”, called Social Capital Ventures Development (SCVD), was launched by Christopher Wilson and Kyoh Boun Chhay in 2008 with the aim of improving “the lives and conditions of disadvantaged people in developing countries, through impact investment and dedication to sustainable and scalable projects, in the field of health, education, and farming.” Their first project was to provide rural areas with clean water, the absence of which resulted in high child mortality rate and overall ill health. The case follows “the venture” during its first five years of its operation. Through this case, students will understand how entrepreneurs launch ventures, and more specifically, social enterprises. They will analyse the process of new venture creation and some of the factors that lead to the sustainability of ventures, be they commercial or not-for-profit. The case is best used as a vehicle for teaching entrepreneurship, and more specifically social entrepreneurship for undergraduate, graduate and executive education classes.