Skip to main content
Social and Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship
A group of Fellows work with Post-it notes and laugh

Solving the world’s greatest challenges

What is NC State Social and Sustainable Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

Social and sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship is the practice of applying problem-solving tools and a creative mindset to bring about a more just world. Here students learn skills to become global change leaders, whether as entrepreneurs starting new ventures or social enterprises or those seeking to learn problem-solving skills to impact their communities or existing organizations. 

We are a community of learners from every corner of campus, from first-year through doctoral, applying our passions to change the world.

The NC State campus and surrounding community serve as our vibrant laboratory for social entrepreneurship. Faculty, staff and students from across our university work hand in hand with our area’s brightest entrepreneurs. In this dynamic environment, we teach, mentor and learn from and with each together.

Get Involved

A woman making traditional food for a group of children in Moldova.

Social Innovation Fellows

Develop the skills you need to make a positive social impact. Become an NC State Social Innovation Fellow.

Learn more 
A Brain Trust member talks to Social Innovation Fellows

Partner With Us

Support and advise our students. Learn more about our Brain Trust, Team Mentors and Venture Partners.

Learn more 

From the Lab to the National Stage

Graduate student Bhavya Jain is turning big ideas into real-world, sustainable solutions. Jain recently earned third place and $5,000 at the National Startup Summit 2025 with his startup, Enviracell.

Read more
Two people standing on a brick walkway holding a large check.

NEws

Read more

Get to know the 2023-24 Social Innovation Fellows

NC State Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship invites you to get to know the 2023-2024 Social Innovation Fellows. This year 16 students from across the university are working together on three interdisciplinary teams. Read below about the impact these students are hoping to make while at NC State and afterwards, and learn a little more about the organizations… 
headshot of Audrey Westlund with bags of 321 coffee on a shelf nearby

Inaugural Changemaker Fellowship Leads to New B Corporation Certification Toolkit

Created and supported by NC State Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Changemaker Fellowship was designed to be rigorous, challenging and empowering in order to prepare students to be effective changemakers in their communities and beyond. 
Elizabeth Benefield smiles and sits on a chair beside a window.

SIE Director to Retire

In what feels like the blink of an eye, here I am planning my next life chapter, leaving a job that has all the markings of that ‘once in a lifetime’ career opportunity – the chance to live my passion, practice my values, build something meaningful, and never stop learning.