Economy of Francesco – Incubator for Non-Extractive Organizations

MAY 12-18TH 2025 | KRAPANJ ISLAND CROATIA

Building Businesses with Soul

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The Economy of Francesco Incubator will take place on Krapanj Island, Croatia, from May 12–18, 2025. This unique one-week “entrepreneurship retreat” is hosted in a Franciscan monastery, and it wlil focus on the intersection between Social Enterprise, Steward Ownership, Scripture, and Catholic Social Teaching (CST).  Our cohort welcomes (aspiring) social entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners (academics, investors, startup mentors), religious (clergy, monks/nuns, laypeople), and anyone who is curious.

You will delve into the principles of Non-Extractive Organizations (NEOs), exploring topics like the Silicon Valley model, organic growth vs. hypergrowth, bootstrapping, and sustainable finance. We will apply systems thinking and provide a solid grounding in alternative ownership structures such as Steward Ownership and cooperatives. You will also discover how CST principles like the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity can shape every aspect of your business.

But it’s not just theory. The incubator offers practical training in Lean Startup, Business Model Canvases, “Mom Testing”, and pitch training. One-on-one startup mentoring and group work will help you turn your ideas into a concrete business plan.

We also aim to cultivate whole business leaders by creating space for personal reflection, daily Mass, meditative practices like the Rosary and Examen, and one-on-one theological mentoring.

Confirmed speakers include:

Social entrepreneurs: Feliks Lukas, Goran Jeras, Ivona Zgrabljic, Melanie Rieback

Priests and theologians: Fr. Sylvester Ndzelen Berinyuy, PhD, Fr. Damir Stojic, Bruno Petrušić

Steward Ownership pioneers: Annika Schneider, Prof. Dr. Anne Sanders, M.Jur.

Finance professionals: Alessandra Viscovi, Carol Tarr, Steve Rocco, Anastasia Linn

Academic researchers: Tim Jackson, Dawn M. Carpenter, John Dalla Costa

This event is both deeply Christian AND inclusive. The Economy of Francesco operates in an ecumenical and interfaith spirit - everyone is welcome! The only requirement is an open-mindedness towards Catholicism and a heartfelt desire to work together to build "an economy that does not kill".

APPLY HERE

Application deadline: May 5th, 2025