As a provider of socially-motivated finance for 30 years, we have led the way in supporting disadvantaged or micro-entrepreneurs, and empowering non-profits or commercially viable social businesses (see Sustainable Investments). In 2017, Made for Good, our enterprise program for social good, has focused on leveraging the expertise of employees to help grow 4,466 innovative enterprises in 12 countries that tackle urgent social and environmental challenges. They in turn reached more than 200,000 individuals. The start-ups and early-stage social businesses benefited not only from business advice, mentoring and training (86% of projects), but also from improved access to networks (75%) and funding (43%). In total, 515 colleagues volunteered 15,600 hours of their time to empower social enterprises or charities.
The highlights in 2017 include the second wave of the Impact Fund targeted at social start-ups that pursue innovative education concepts and foster equal opportunities. Six finalists pitched for non-repayable grants with a total volume of € 100,000 as well as for coaching to further scale their business model. In the UK, Deutsche Bank Awards for Creative Enterprise celebrated their 25th anniversary—more than 200 creative enterprises have benefited from access to business knowledge and funding since the start. In the US, we partner with Hot Bread Kitchen, an organization that has created over 200 jobs for underserved individuals, helping them to overcome food industry barriers, achieve economic independence, and contribute to neighborhood revitalization. In Asia, we partner with the Singapore International Foundation’s Young Social Entrepreneurs program. In Germany, the Landmarks in the Land of Ideas competition continued to build the network of innovative entrepreneurs who promote an open-minded society. The 2018 winners will focus on „Connecting worlds – strengthening bonds“.