Action Tanks

In our Action Tanks, concepts in social innovation are prototyped, evaluated, and proven in real-world contexts—all addressing the UN Global Goals.

Action Tanks, powered by the Institute for Social Innovation, foster “smart action” by bringing together diverse audiences with unique strengths and perspectives to address critical dilemmas facing the world.​​

Current Action Tanks

The Institute for Social Innovation is currently running the following Action Tanks:

Food Sol

Food Sol creates hubs that support both students and food entrepreneurs in growing their positive ideas and actions for the food system. Our lens on business and entrepreneurship frames a steady eye on food solutions that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable simultaneously not sequentially.

Babson Youth Impact Lab

Babson Youth Impact Lab is educating our next generation of entrepreneurs and leaders around the globe through the EPIC curriculum and programs like Babson Summer Study for high school students.

FutureLab on Mobility

A collaboration between Babson College and the Toyota Mobility Foundation, the FutureLab on Mobility believes that mobility is at the heart of many important societal issues, including individual and community health, economic opportunity, education, equity, access, inclusion, and every UN Sustainable Development Goal.

IoT For Good Lab

Sponsored by Verizon, the IoT for Good Lab at Babson encourages the creation of social impact using IoT (Internet of Things) technology. The Lab convenes interdisciplinary teams of entrepreneurial thinkers, engineers, designers, artists, and liberal arts students in order to experiment with ideas and solutions for addressing the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals using the IoT; supports IoT for Good entrepreneurs working to generate social value using the IoT, integrative thinking, human centered design, innovative engineering, and creative business cases; and provides resources, seed funds, and support to initiate and launch IoT-enabled social ventures.

Social Sector Impact

The Social Sector Impact initiative uses Babson’s ET&A™ methodology to engage the philanthropic and nonprofit communities to address the pressing changes and disruptions happening in the social sector. Specifically, this initiative focuses on accelerating and growing the ​ program, as well as expanding the curriculum both for Babson students and the broader social sector community.