By excelling in the private sector, a burgeoning breed of business owner aims to change the world

• The Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs

  We asked readers to vote for businesses that are trying to make money and to bring about societal change. Here are the winners

• Making a Profit and a Difference

  As the economy reels, enterprising individuals who apply business practices to solving societal problems are gaining support from public and private sectors

• America's Most Promising Social Entrepreneurs

  Meet the entrepreneurs behind 25 trailblazing companies that aim to turn a profit while tackling social ills

• More 'Patient Capital' for Social Ventures

  An increasing number of venture investors are hunting for small companies that could yield social benefits as well as high profits

• Social Entrepreneurship: Resources for 'Patient' Capital

  Here's a sampler of organizations and funds that back social entrepreneurs seeking debt and equity financing

• Do-Gooders Who Spread the Dough

  Greyston Bakery, which provides job opportunities for the "unemployable" gives 100% of its profits to the Greyston Foundation, which supports numerous community development projects in Yonkers, N.Y.

• For Love or Money

  Is forming a nonprofit the way to solve social ills, or is it more efficient for business to do it?

• Business Exchange: Social Entrepreneurship

  Use our BX tool to get and share news, blogs, and resources about this new approach to solving old problems

---

Special Reports Gallery Explore more coverage from BusinessWeek and beyond...

Featured Special Reports

Business Exchange

Track and share business topics across the Web