Breakthrough Builders
A Community Advancing Human Flourishing through Bold Social Venture Partnerships
The Problem We Solve
Despite extraordinary scientific and technological progress over the past several decades, human flourishing has not kept pace.
A major reason: most social ventures still rely on the dominant model of “strategic philanthropy”—multi-year plans, theories of change, KPIs, and the illusion of certainty. This approach invests heavily in programs, not founders; in plans, not outcomes; in prediction, not discovery. The result? Billions spent with far too little to show for it.
What Is Breakthrough Builders?
Principled Business, a 501(c)(3) organization, is building a national community of social venture founders, funders, and guides—the “breakthrough builders” committed to accelerating human flourishing through bottom-up, entrepreneurial solutions.
Our goal is to create the premier network of social venture founders, visionary philanthropists, and experienced guides who partner to reshape culture and transform lives—not through politics or top-down reform, but by building new institutions and new models that make the old ones obsolete. We focus on people who demonstrate the four qualities that matter most for breakthrough impact: vision, courage, fortitude, and integrity.
Our Approach
Social Ventures
Social ventures—the projects of visionary builders who seek to strengthen our social fabric —begin with a vision of a better future, test ideas in the real world, adapt quickly, and scale what works. While they are ambitious and aspirational, they understand that even the best ideas must remain adaptive and dynamic.
A New Vision of Philanthropy
Venture philanthropy, at its best, enables builders to create the structures through which freedom and cooperation can continue to generate human flourishing long after the initial investment has been made. Venture philanthropy is willing to take risks on nascent projects; yet with the promise of greater support, it demands greater accountability. Through this process founders and funders join together to realize a breakthrough impact and advance the greater good.
Builders, Not Bureaucracy
Traditional philanthropy is too often attracted to glossy slide decks, detailed strategic plans, and reassuring metrics. It invests far too much in the plan, while not attending enough to the people—particularly the founders—who are meant to carry the plan out. Social ventures and ultimately human ventures, and trust should be placed in those who not only have ideas, but who have the rare combination of character traits necessary to bring social ventures to fruition.
Leadership
Dr. Pano Kanelos
Founding and former president of the University of Austin (UATX), former president of St. John’s College, founding partner of the Athos Group
Chad Thevenot
Former executive director of the Institute for Humane Studies and senior vice president for advancement at UATX, founding partner of the Athos Group
Alexander McCobin
Founder and president of Liberty Ventures, Principled Business, Conscious Capitalism, and Students for Liberty
Featured Projects
VELA Education Fund
Powering a bottom-up K–12 revolution that has equipped 4,500+ micro-school founders to deliver real choice and innovation in every state.
Reach University
Scaling the Apprenticeship Degree to help millions of working adults earn accredited B.A.s through their jobs, creating mass economic mobility.
Hall of Giants
Building a museum complex that celebrates America’s entrepreneurial spirit and the extraordinary prosperity that it enables.