(BusinessWeek) –Social entrepreneurship isn’t a niche corner of the business world anymore. The idea of using business to create social and environmental value alongside profits has reached nearly every sector of the economy—and that breadth is evident in Bloomberg Businessweek’s second annual U.S. roundup of promising social entrepreneurs. The 25 finalists profiled in this slide show, culled from more than 200 reader suggestions, include entrepreneurs in insurance, banking, pharmaceuticals, and construction, as well as more conventional social enterprises like organic farms and fair-trade coffee companies. Other entrepreneurs have found opportunity in helping traditional businesses—including titans like Wal-Mart—increase their impact. The companies in our round-up range from fresh startups to established, multimillion-dollar enterprises. All share a commitment to using business to create a broader benefit.
