Systemic Venture Building - How to create social ventures that can achieve transformative change

This resource from Metabolic introduces Systemic Venture Building, an approach to creating new businesses that aim to change whole systems rather than addressing problems one at a time. It is designed for complex challenges such as climate change, resource use, and social inequality, where single solutions are not enough.

The article explains that many social and environmental problems are caused by how systems are structured. This includes rules, incentives, power, and habits. Because of this, one start-up or innovation on its own is unlikely to create lasting change. Instead, Metabolic proposes building a portfolio of connected ventures that tackle different parts of the same system at the same time.

Systemic Venture Building begins with understanding the system. This includes mapping how the system works, identifying root causes, and finding leverage points where change can have the biggest effect. From there, multiple ventures are designed to work together. Each venture has its own business model, but they are aligned around a shared mission and long-term vision for change.

The approach blends systems thinking, impact strategy, and venture building. It recognises that business can be a powerful tool for change when it is designed with purpose, evidence, and collaboration in mind. Rather than focusing only on growth or profit, systemic ventures are built to deliver social and environmental outcomes while remaining financially viable.

This resource is useful for people working in social enterprise, impact investing, sustainability and innovation. It is particularly relevant for those interested in moving beyond pilot projects and creating solutions that can shift entire industries or economies over time.