Santa Clara University

The mission of the Center for Science, Technology, and Society (CSTS) is to promote the use of science and technology to benefit underserved communities worldwide, primarily by working with socially-minded entrepreneurs. The CSTS implements its mission through its signature program, the Global Social Benefit Incubator, the Frugal Innovation Lab, and its numerous educational and public engagement activities.

Our vertical program themes of entrepreneurship, innovation, and impact capital have inspired programs like the Global Social Benefit Incubator and Frugal Innovation Labs. These are the key ideas upon which new programs are developed. Education is a feature of all of our programs whether it's with students, social entrepreneur, impact investors, or the general public. Being part of Santa Clara University means that we share the University's mission to education leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion. CSTS also chooses sectors to focus on across all of our programming. Since 2009 we have been focused on clean energy technologies for the underserved and will soon expand into a health focus. These thematic "sector strategies" allow us to narrow in on a certain industry to maximize our understanding of which technologies and business models can create the greatest impact in the industry.

It is through this combination of vertical and horizontal themes that we are able to gather experience on a number of different fronts, from field operations and engineering to fundraising and marketing, while still being able to synthesize this information and pass it on to entrepreneurs and students working to impact the lives of millions today.