11 May Building Bridges for Impact: Inside the Hyderabad Social Mixer

At AIC, we believe that meaningful change is driven by collaboration. To strengthen this spirit of collective impact, we host a monthly event called the Hyderabad Social Mixer (HSM), a simple yet powerful gathering that brings together diverse stakeholders from the social impact ecosystem.

The format is intentionally minimal, no long speeches or panels. Just introductions, followed by open networking in an informal setting. But what makes it special is the mix of people in the room. Attendees include Social enterprises, NGOs, CSR representatives, investors, foundations, ecosystem enablers, and policymakers. There are also wannabe entrepreneurs and people who just want to learn about the ecosystem and social entrepreneurship in general. Everybody comes together with one purpose: to connect, share, and collaborate.

Over the months, this humble gathering has quietly become a hub for partnerships. Startups have found CSR funding, NGOs have discovered tech solutions to scale their impact, and investors have come across promising ventures. It’s also a space where people stay updated on what’s happening across sectors, from education and healthcare to sustainability and livelihoods.

Beyond partnerships, the Mixer has also played a key role in building empathy across the ecosystem. It has helped different players understand each other’s challenges, celebrate successes, and explore how their missions align. Whether it’s a corporate funder learning about grassroots innovation or a startup discovering new field insights from NGOs, the exchange of ideas has been both refreshing and eye-opening.

Events like the HSM are especially important in a rapidly growing city like Hyderabad, which is fast emerging as a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and impact. While the city has thriving communities in tech, pharma, grassroots development, and policy, there are few neutral spaces where these diverse players can interact meaningfully. HSM fills that gap, creating a common platform where silos are broken, collaborations are born, and the city’s unique strengths are leveraged for greater collective good.

The HSM is not just an event; it’s a growing community. One that thrives on trust, conversations, and shared goals. In a fast-moving world, it reminds us that sometimes, all you need is a room full of passionate people and the time to talk.

We invite everyone working on creating social impact big or small to join us at future editions. You never know which conversation might lead you on an explored path or spark your next big collaboration.