Ex nihilo- “out of nothing” is a timeless Latin phrase that has underpinned our quest to answer the question: how was the universe created. But whilst such existential discussions are rooted in a long tradition of philosophical, theological and anthropological debate, they may have some surprising benefits to the seemingly far removed world of business and social innovation. Unravelling a business’s roots and understanding its creation story may help us see how different companies and organisations share a similar common origin: they are created to solve a human social problem. In the context of social innovation, having a common denominator can foster a joint vision for companies and non-profit organisations working together to solve social problems. Let’s share our stories together!
