Center for Social Innovation: Eli Malinsky

About The Company:

The Centre for Social Innovation provides its members with the spaces, relationships and knowledge they need to translate ideas to impact. We’re part coworking space, part community center and part incubator for people and organizations that are changing the world.

About Eli Malinsky:

Eli Malinsky has been a champion of collaboration and innovation in the social sector for the past eight years. A deep believer in the potential of ‘everyday people’ to create social change, Eli’s work is centered on new models that unleash creativity and catalyze impact.

Eli has spoken and published works on networks, collaboration, social enterprise, shared space and social innovation. He is currently Executive Director of the Centre for Social Innovation in New York City. The Centre for Social Innovation is a coworking space, community center and incubator for social entrepreneurs and social ventures.

Q&A With Eli

Why are you an entrepreneur?

I’m an entrepreneur because I don’t believe that “what is” is necessarily “what should be”. That means creating alternatives.

What can a fellow learn from you?

A fellow will learn about networks and complex adaptive systems, and how these frameworks can inform innovation and project development. They will also learn much about the emerging fields of social innovation and social entrepreneurship. However, the most important thing they will probably learn are the boring basics: How to write and present well, how to create program plans and budgets, how to communicate professionally and how to deliver with creativity and excellence.

What Will Your Fellow Be Exposed To?

Space design, facilitation, community development, social media, facilities management, program design, event coordination and execution.

What do you expect out of a fellow?

Drive, curiosity, professionalism and an appetite for hard work. If you aren’t ready to show up every day and work your ass off, don’t waste either of our time. You also need to be independent and insightful – we will provide a strong support structure, but it is your initiative that will make or break the experience.

What makes your startup unique?

We are the best in the world at designing environments for social innovation. We are cutting edge in what we do. We are fluid, nimble and responsive. We are ridiculously fun and rewarding.