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In the first part, the term social entrepreneurship is defined and a short overview about the historical development of social entrepreneurship is presented. Afterwards, background information regarding the spread of social entrepreneurship is outlined. Additionally, promising business models and successful social entrepreneurs are portrayed with a special focus on their social mission, innovative processes, and outcomes and impacts. In the second part, different interest groups, with which social entrepreneurs are in contact, are examined. Furthermore, the academic scene is analyzed with regard to the social entrepreneurship scene in Switzerland. In the last part, trends and developments are described, and recommendations concerning possible future actions for the ´University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland´ are presented.

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Bruno Essig, born 1985, studied Business Administration (International Management) at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland.

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