In 1998, amid a rapidly changing geopolitical environment, Klaus and Hilde Schwab envisioned a world where social innovation would drive positive change. To achieve this, they created the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a platform dedicated to championing and accelerating the work of pioneering individuals and organisations.

The foundation quickly attracted a diverse community of exceptional and proven social innovators. The Schwab Foundation Awards, a prestigious recognition, celebrate these leaders and provide them with unparalleled access to the World Economic Forum's networks, resources and influence. Through a rigorous selection process, it identifies those with proven models, scalable solutions and the potential for transformative impact.

Through this unique connection, the Foundation serves as a bridge between social entrepreneurs,  innovators and the global stage. By encouraging collaboration with government leaders, businesses and civil society organisations, it amplifies the voices and impact of social entrepreneurs.

In recent years, the Foundation has expanded its mission to include social entrepreneurs and innovators across various sectors and industries. This shift recognises their valuable contributions within organisations, governments and civil society to take a more inclusive approach to systemic change.

In 2020, the Schwab Foundation launched the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship as a broader initiative to bring together a coalition of diverse stakeholders . This coalition unites corporations, industry organisations and the public sector to support and scale the impact of social innovators.

The Schwab Foundation is committed to collaborating with our community, ecosystem partners, and the World Economic Forum to support social entrepreneurs and innovators in achieving a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive future.