7 | Key Resources

Laptop showing Impact Business Model Canvas Template with section highlighted

Key Resources highlighted on the canvas

What are the most important assets required to make your business model work?

The Commercial Dimension

Key resources allow an enterprise to create and offer a value proposition, reach markets, maintain relationships, and earn revenues.  They can be physical (e.g., facilities, machines, systems), financial (e.g., cash, lines of credit, stock option pools), intellectual (e.g., brands, patents, databases), or human.  They can be owned or leased by the company or acquired from key partners.

The Impact Dimension

Key resources drive your commercial model AND your impacts. For social enterprises, it is imperative to understand how critical it is to ensure access to the key resources needed to drive both the commercial business and the impact, and to plan ahead for how such resources can be developed and maintained.  If the resources are lacking, then your business bottom line and your impact will suffer as a result.

Professor Sarah Soule explains the goal of the key resources block, and poses questions for you to consider as you think through strategic options for your venture.  She will discuss the example of Equal Opportunity Schools, a national nonprofit organization with both earned income and philanthropic support. (1:00)
For-Profit Example

d.light

Key resources:

d.light sells solar energy solutions to populations without electricity in 60+ nations. See project description and its Impact BMC

Nonprofit Example

Equal Opportunity Schools

Key resources:

Equal Opportunity Schools helps minority and low-income high school students succeed in AP and IB courses. See project description and its Impact BMC


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