Center for Social Innovation

This case describes two social ventures’ experience of collaborating with each other—through a replication project funded by the Lemelson and Schwab foundations. Each venture served different purposes: IDEAAS installed and operated alternative solar energy plants in locations without access to Brazil’s electricity grid, and Saude & Alegria educated populations in the Brazilian Amazon jungle on matters of health, environment conservation, and self-sustainable wealth generation.

The replication project entailed in having Saude & Alegria help IDEAAS expand its service offering from the south of Brazil into the Amazon region. After describing the organizations, the replication project, and its results, the case highlights the success factors that led to the project’s outcomes. Students take positions and debate the critical factors enabling the successful collaboration between the social ventures.