The Chairman of The Social Capital Fund, Ms. Gurli Martinussen, calls Specialisterne a prime example of social entrepreneurship: “Specialisterne have spotted a unique potential in people who often is seen as a vulnerable group in society, and used this potential to create exciting and meaningful jobs. It is a sustainable social solution that also helps to further develop the understanding of how we create more opportunities for everyone in society. It is exactly the type of businesses we want to help spread and develop,” she says.

For Specialisterne Denmark the new financial platform will make an important difference in its endeavours to create more jobs for people with autism spectrum disorders. CEO Henrik Thomsen says: “We have lacked growth capital to exploit our potential in the market to a greater extent and expand our team of consultants with autism spectrum disorders. Where Specialisterne might have been too “social” for some commercial investors, but too “commercial” for some social funders, we have in the Social Capital Fund encountered an investor with the social aspect as a priority as well as knowledge and resources to help us in our business mission to create further sustainable jobs. We will now be able to take major step forward and get much more ‘specialist people’ in work”.

Links:
www.specialisterne.dk
http://www.densocialekapitalfond.dk/english/ (english)
http://www.densocialekapitalfond.dk/ (danish)

“We’re delighted,” says Specialisterne Iceland General Manager Bjarni Torfi. “This award will help increase focus nationally on what we are trying to achieve in Specialisterne. It shines a light on our profile and will help us establish new contacts so we can continue to grow our business.”

Commissioned by the Essl Foundation, the report is a commentary on the state of the UN Convention in 36 countries based on 21 social indicators. Read the full report here.

Furthermore, Specialisterne Minnesota has also become an official entity, which will bring the Specialisterne model into the state of Minnesota. Specialisterne Minnesota is headquartered in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, with Local Coordinator Tim Hanson already working hard on fund-raising and business planning activities.

“Our plan is to model Specialisterne Minnesota as a consulting practice with a compelling portfolio of capabilities similar to that of Specialisterne Denmark,” says Hanson, a successful local businessman and the father of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  “Like Denmark, we will assess and train people with autism and similar challenges, and then employ them as consultants providing valuable services to corporate clients in sectors including technology, IT, telecommunications and software.”

The US market is ripe for Specialisterne (The Specialists in Danish).  According to the US Census Bureau, the population of the USA is 310 million. Research suggests that approximately 1% (3.1 million people) have ASD, 90% of whom are unemployed.

“There is so much opportunity for us in the US to create meaningful and productive lives for the growing number of people diagnosed with ASD,” says Thorkil Sonne. “We are confident that our seven years plus of operational experience in Specialisterne, combined with local partners adoption of the Specialisterne model will bring about a change in the US. And with Tim at the helm, we are confident that Specialisterne Minnesota will be a shining example of how the Specialisterne model can be adapted successfully throughout the US. This is a major step in our efforts to reach our goal of enabling one million jobs globally for people with autism and similar challenges, and we are thrilled about partnering with Tim and his team.”

Hanson has already assembled a team of business professionals and autism experts with the goal of establishing Specialisterne Minnesota as the gold standard for in the US.

“I believe that Minnesota is the perfect entry point for Specialisterne in the US. The business climate here is healthy and we are home to a large number of Fortune 500 companies,” says Hanson. “The social climate here is also encouraging, as Minnesota is the national leader in providing opportunities and services to individuals with special needs. Last but not least, the employment climate is ripe with a significant need for skilled technical employees.”

Although Specialisterne Minnesota plan to replicate the Danish model as much as possible, some modifications are necessary. The ongoing work to complete a comprehensive feasibility study will identify the specific conditions needed to make Specialisterne Minnesota a successful, self-sustaining consulting practice providing high-quality IT professionals to the market while employing people with autism.

As Thorkil Sonne is an Ashoka Globalizer, Specialisterne Minnesota will also benefit from the support of the  Ashoka Localizer Program.

“”The mission of our Localizer program is to ensure our community has access to the best social innovations from the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. By connecting Thorkil Sonne with local community leaders, we showcase the Twin City’s long-standing commitment to hosting and nurturing innovative solutions that have the potential for ground-breaking positive change,” Said Jennifer Aspengren, Director, Ashoka Twin Cities

Specialisterne Minnesota plan to launch business operations in early 2012 with the first round of candidate assessment starting soon after.  For more information, follow this link.  

Furthermore, Specialisterne Minnesota has also become an official entity, which will bring the Specialisterne model into the state of Minnesota. Specialisterne Minnesota is headquartered in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, with Local Coordinator Tim Hanson already working hard on fund-raising and business planning activities.

“Our plan is to model Specialisterne Minnesota as a consulting practice with a compelling portfolio of capabilities similar to that of Specialisterne Denmark,” says Hanson, a successful local businessman and the father of a child with ASD.  “Like Denmark, we will assess and train people with autism and similar challenges, and then employ them as consultants providing valuable services to corporate clients in sectors including technology, IT, telecommunications and software.”

The US market is ripe for Specialisterne (The Specialists in Danish).  According to the US Census Bureau, the population of the USA is 310 million. Research suggests that approximately 1% (3.1 million people) have ASD, 90% of whom are unemployed.

“There is so much opportunity for us in the US to create meaningful and productive lives for the growing number of people diagnosed with ASD,” says Thorkil Sonne. “We are confident that our seven years plus of operational experience in Specialisterne, combined with local partners adoption of the Specialisterne model will bring about a change in the US. And with Tim at the helm, we are confident that Specialisterne Minnesota will be a shining example of how the Specialisterne model can be adapted successfully throughout the US. This is a major step in our efforts to reach our goal of enabling one million jobs globally for people with autism and similar challenges, and we are thrilled about partnering with Tim and his team.”

Hanson has already assembled a team of business professionals and autism experts with the goal of establishing Specialisterne Minnesota as the gold standard for in the US.

“I believe that Minnesota is the perfect entry point for Specialisterne in the US. The business climate here is healthy and we are home to a large number of Fortune 500 companies,” says Hanson. “The social climate here is also encouraging, as Minnesota is the national leader in providing opportunities and services to individuals with special needs. Last but not least, the employment climate is ripe with a significant need for skilled technical employees.”

Although Specialisterne Minnesota plan to replicate the Danish model as much as possible, some modifications are necessary. The ongoing work to complete a comprehensive feasibility study will identify the specific conditions needed to make Specialisterne Minnesota a successful, self-sustaining consulting practice providing high-quality IT professionals to the market while employing people with autism.

As Thorkil Sonne is an Ashoka Globalizer, Specialisterne Minnesota will also benefit from the support of the  Ashoka Localizer Program.

“”The mission of our Localizer program is to ensure our community has access to the best social innovations from the world’s leading social entrepreneurs. By connecting Thorkil Sonne with local community leaders, we showcase the Twin City’s long-standing commitment to hosting and nurturing innovative solutions that have the potential for ground-breaking positive change,” Said Jennifer Aspengren, Director, AshokaTwin Cities

Specialisterne Minnesota plan to launch business operations in early 2012 with the first round of candidate assessment starting soon after.  For more information, follow this link.  

“We are progressing well and have already secured part of the funding needed to conduct the Feasibility Study thanks to contribution from the Essl Foundation,” says Stephan Dorfmeister. “If things continue to progress well, then we hope to launch Specialisterne Austria in the spring of 2012 with assessment and training beginning in the early summer.”

Stephan Dorfmeister MBA is an accomplished independent management consultant with a background in business development in Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia, and has always had a strong focus on social responsibility and sustainability.

Ashoka Austria was instrumental in connecting Stephan with SPF Founder and Ashoka Globalizer Thorkil Sonne, through the Ashoka Localizer program. This program helps Ashoka Fellows, such as Thorkil, to scale their business ideas in other countries by creating networking opportunities and by providing important support to accelerate market entry and the growth of the venture.

“It is really great to see the Ashoka Localizer program helping to facilitate connections and establish new socially innovative businesses such as Specialisterne here in Austria, “says Marie Ringler, Director for Ashoka Austria. “We’re looking forward to working with Specialisterne Austria as it is a great example of a company striving for social change.”

It was also through Ashoka Globalizer, that Specialisterne came to the attention of the Essl Foundation.  “The Essl Social Prize 2010 was given to Bill Drayton, Ashoka Globalizer and Founder of Ashoka,” says Dr Michael Fembek, Program Director, Essl Foundation. “Since Thorkil Sonne is an Ashoka Globalizer, and the Essl Foundation is especially supporting innovative projects in the field of persons with disabilities, we decided to support this great project and its high potential.”

The Specialist People Foundation is also thrilled at the establishment of Specialisterne Austria. “This is an important addition to the Specialisterne global community, and a natural step for us in our mission to enable one million jobs for people with autism and similar challenges,” says Thorkil Sonne, Chairman of the SPF Board. “Specialisterne Austria are well on their way to providing excellent assessment, training and meaningful job opportunities for people with autism in Austria.”

For more information on Specialisterne Austria, please use this link.