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Teaching Case: Social Entrepreneurs and Impact Investors: A Match Made in Heaven?—Case Study of Le Champignon de Bruxelles

Author

Listed:
  • Freek Van Doninck

    (Department of Accountancy and Finance, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Johanna Vanderstraeten

    (Department of Management, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Ine Paeleman

    (Department of Accountancy and Finance, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

  • Luc Van Liedekerke

    (Department of Management, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
    Department of Management and Department of Philosophy, University of Antwerp, Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium)

Abstract

This teaching case addresses the strategic choices of social entrepreneurs and the issues they face in search of funding. In the heart of Europe’s capital, Brussels, two aspiring entrepreneurs founded Le Champignon de Bruxelles to produce exotic mushrooms. Being true social entrepreneurs, they use a recycled substrate—brewery dredge—to do so, as such, minimizing the distance the mushrooms travel from farm to plate. After the typical “entrepreneur-in-the-basement” start, they are now at a turning point. They established themselves as a serious player in the market, producing over 6000 kg of mushrooms every month. This journey, however, did not come without its challenges. Along the way, they struggled to reconcile their idealistic mindset with the realities of the economic system and adopted a more pragmatic approach in response. At the moment, they are at a decisive moment in the company’s development and are contemplating whether their current business model should be diversified and internationalized.

Suggested Citation

  • Freek Van Doninck & Johanna Vanderstraeten & Ine Paeleman & Luc Van Liedekerke, 2021. "Teaching Case: Social Entrepreneurs and Impact Investors: A Match Made in Heaven?—Case Study of Le Champignon de Bruxelles," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11467-:d:658469
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Johanna Mair & Ignasi Marti, 2006. "Social Entrepreneurship Research: A Source of Explanation, Prediction, and Delight," Post-Print hal-02311880, HAL.
    2. Juan C. Santamarta & Mª Dolores Storch de Gracia & Mª Ángeles Huerta Carrascosa & Margarita Martínez-Núñez & Celia de las Heras García & Noelia Cruz-Pérez, 2021. "Characterisation of Impact Funds and Their Potential in the Context of the 2030 Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Mair, Johanna & Martí, Ignasi, 2006. "Social entrepreneurship research: A source of explanation, prediction, and delight," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 36-44, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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