REDpreneur

REDpreneur is the first-of-its kind innovation and acceleration program of the Red Cross to support innovative impact driven enterprises and offers a unique immersive learning experience

What is REDpreneur?

REDpreneur is a 2-year pilot program (2020-2022) funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation which supports Red Cross societies and social entrepreneurs in East and South East Europe and the South Caucasus to develop impactful and sustainable ventures that seek to improve the access to and the quality of health and social services in their home countries.

A follow-up program of REDpreneur is planned to start in October 2022.

REDpreneur is a unique immersive learning experience for Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers, learners from partner organisations and NGO and corporate leaders.

“The REDpreneur program was a huge leap forward in how we think of and look at our national society’s sustainable financial model. With the knowledge gained from the program, we at the Lebanese Red Cross, Economic Security Department, are currently considering ways of incorporating a business model approach in our programming. Humanitarian services could and should consider a profit generating business model for the sustainability of their programming and the REDpreneur program is a live proof of how this works.”

“It is always difficult to put a vague idea into practice. The REDpreneur project not only provided the right tools, but also placed experts on our side in order to get our venture idea ready for piloting. The mix of theoretical lessons and practical working on our own venture was very useful and exciting.”

“Participation in the Redpreneur gave us the opportunity to look at our activities from the other side, thanks to which we were able to open new directions for the development of our enterprise. Also, this is a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and exchange experiences with colleagues from other countries! Thank you for the excellent organization of such a cool event, especially considering all the inconvenience the pandemic has caused.”

We are greatful for all the support from the Redpreneur program and all the people we have met during this time, both trainers and participants. But it does not stop after the Masterclass - there is also the alumni network and continued activities that we have already benefitted greatly from - and that network will only grow when more Masterclasses have been conducted. We can only recommend other start-ups to join the program when working in the field of impact-solutions and developing countries. We will keep in touch."

Next REDpreneur Townhall 26/5: Workplace First Aid as a Business

Why not save lives at the same time as raising money? Visit the next REDpreneur Town Hall on May 26 from 13:00 – 14:00 CET

May 23, 2022

ARE YOU READY 4 RED? REDpreneur TOWNHALL Meeting 28/4/2022 @ 13CET

Visit the next REDpreneur Town Hall and meet Bettina Steinbrugger, Co-founder and CEO of the Social Entrepreneurship Initiative erdbeerwoche and READY FOR RED Find more

April 25, 2022

Call for: Evaluation Consultant (expired)

Austrian Red Cross REDpreneur Program Evaluation – impact enterprise specialist with broad experience in evaluation and assessment of developmental programs, business development, social entrepreneurship and

April 4, 2022

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The time is right for REDpreneur: Nikolaus Hutter talks about the Purpose Driven Economy

Who is it for?

For changemakers and
advocates of change

For ventures

Red Cross / Red Crescent staff and social entrepreneurs (CSOs, Start-ups) with venture ideas

For learners and corporate learners

Red Cross / Red Crescent staff, participants from CSOs and corporates without a specific business idea (yet)

For CSR partners

Foundations and corporates willing to support the development of entrepreneurial approaches in development cooperation and humanitarian aid

The program

Venture Track

Venture track participants develop and get their own business and financial plans ready for launching!

The REDpreneur program is for you if :

Your business case is a market-relevant service that improves access to Health and Social Services, is offered to specific target groups and can be funded through private and/or public payers;
Presented business case is feasible, sound, realistic and scalable;
Two of your core staff have the capacities and are available to participate during the time required;
Environmental and social criteria apply;
Priority in this program is given to applicants that work in or are interested to scale to East and South East Europe or the South Caucasus.

Learner Track

Open to anyone…

…working for the Red Cross, a CSO or Start-up.

…interested to strengthen their business skills and learn more about entrepreneurship.

…motivated with a “social entrepreneur”-mindset.

Receive the tools and methodologies to develop your own business and financial plan in the future.
Get to know fantastic innovators in person and seize the opportunity to work alongside teams from East and South East Europe and South Caucasus.
Be exposed to a stirring pilot on entrepreneurship.
Assess opportunities for service provision initiatives in the Health and Social Services sector.

REDpreneur online Training Academy

Aim is to develop fundamental skills and concepts in the field of impact enterprise. Joint focus on selected business cases through peer-to-peer learning will allow participants to immerse in an applied training environment

Planned for October 2022

For participants from the RCRC Movement with interest in business skills development
For Participants from the RCRC Movement with venture ideas
Fully online incl. webinars and coaching session
Requires 3-5h/ week to finish the course over 4-6 weeks

REDpreneur Master Class

Allows participants to further develop in-depth knowledge and apply acquired skills through experimental learning. Get financial and business plans of selected business ideas ready for launching.

Planned for February 2023

- Understand and implement business fundamentals such as Theory of Change, Value Proposition and Revenue Models
- Get to know the ins and outs of core strategy topics such as Customer Groups, Go to Market Strategy, Team, Finance and Funding
- Practice essential entrepreneurial skills such as prototyping and pitching
- Meet relevant stakeholders in the social business sphere and health sector, such as guest speakers, investors, entrepreneurs, experts and members of the Red Cross Movement
- Requieres 4-5h per week, duration 2-3 months
- Online live Webinars and coaching sessions
- One face to face workshop