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We invest in social innovation in eastern congo

We support social entrepreneurs to improve livelihoods and wellbeing

our vision

We want to see an internationally recognised community of social enterprises who are building a progressive economy in Eastern Congo, and who are role models on the national and international stage.

our mission

We combine our business consultancy with design and technology to help entrepreneurs scale sustainable social businesses across Eastern Congo

our story

Founded in 2014 by Mike Beeston and Patrick Byamungu, La Différence was the first social business incubator in Eastern Congo. Established in response to the lack of business support available to start-up social entrepreneurs, our work is rooted in a fundamental belief that innovation and entrepreneurship can create sustainable pathways out of poverty, insecurity and violence.

With offices in Bukavu, South Kivu and London, in 2015, La Différence (trading under the name of Ensemble Pour la Différence) became a registered cooperative in the DRC and in 2017 a registered charity in England & Wales.

We now employ seven members of staff in the DRC and four in the UK.  Over the past five years, we have worked with 25 partners across the Kivu region of Eastern Congo.