What Is Social Stock Exchange And How Does It Work?

The SSE provides a transparent and accountable mechanism for companies to raise funds and for investors to channel their investments into companies that align with their values.

A Social Stock Exchange (SSE) platform allows social impact organizations and businesses to raise capital from investors committed to generating a positive social and environmental impact and financial returns. The SSE provides a transparent and accountable mechanism for companies to raise funds and for investors to channel their investments into companies that align with their values.

The SSE is designed to cater to a growing demand for impact investments from individuals and institutions who want to put their money toward causes they care about. This demand is driven by an increasing awareness of traditional investments’ negative social and environmental impacts and a desire to align investment decisions with personal values and principles.

How does it work?

The Social Stock Exchange (SSE) works as a platform that connects social impact organizations and businesses with socially responsible investors. The platform operates on principles that promote transparency, accountability, and social impact. To list on the SSE, companies are required to meet specific social and environmental impact criteria. The SSE works with external accreditation agencies to ensure that companies meet these standards. Once listed, companies must provide regular updates on their social and environmental performance, which are made publicly available on the SSE’s website.

Investors interested in investing in socially responsible companies can use SSE’s platform to search for companies that meet their specific impact criteria. The platform provides a range of tools and resources that help investors evaluate listed companies’ social and environmental performance and make informed investment decisions.

When investors invest in a company listed on the SSE, they are buying securities (such as equity or bonds) in that company. The funds raised by the company can be used to support its social impact objectives, such as funding new projects, expanding existing initiatives, or increasing outreach to beneficiaries.

Advantages Of SSE

The Social Stock Exchange (SSE) has several advantages for social impact organizations and investors. Some of the key benefits include:

  • Access to Capital 

Social impact organizations and businesses can access a pool of socially responsible investors committed to generating financial and social returns. This allows them to raise capital to fund their social and environmental impact objectives.

  • Transparency and Accountability

The SSE requires companies to meet specific social and environmental impact criteria to be listed on the exchange. Once listed, companies must provide regular updates on their social and environmental performance, which are publicly available. This provides transparency and accountability to investors and other stakeholders.

  • Social and Environmental Impact

The SSE provides a mechanism for investors to channel their investments into companies that align with their values and principles. This allows them to support social and environmental causes they care about while generating financial returns.

  • Brand and Reputation 

Listing on the SSE can provide social impact organizations and businesses with a competitive advantage by enhancing their brand and reputation. Investors and other stakeholders increasingly seek companies committed to social and environmental responsibility.

  • Tax Incentives

Many countries offer tax incentives for investments made in socially responsible companies. By listing on the SSE, companies and investors can take advantage of these tax incentives and reduce their liabilities.