Ashoka is a global organization identifying and supporting leading social entrepreneurs – men and women whose innovative solutions to the most pressing social problems lead to a system change.

Ashoka mission is to shape a global, entrepreneurial, competitive citizen sector: one that allows social entrepreneurs to thrive and enables the world’s citizens to think and act as changemakers. Ashoka achieves it through investing in leading social entrepreneurs, visionaries who combine passion to help others with professional, entrepreneurial approach.

Ashoka was named to honor the Indian leader, Ashoka the Great, who unified the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BC, renouncing violence and dedicating his life to social welfare and economic development. For his creativity, global mindedness and tolerance, Ashoka is renowned as the earliest example of a social innovator.

“Ashoka” is Sanskrit for “the absence of sorrow”.

Ashoka is financed by individuals, foundations and business entrepreneurs from around the world. Ashoka does not accept funding from government entities. Individual and institutional endowment funds provide for Ashoka's long-term stability.