COVID-19 is changing the world as we know it. Schools, universities, workplaces, restaurants, hotels and churches have been closed, and socially constructed norms are being challenged like never before. Suddenly remote workers and home-schooled kids have the advantage as we rewrite what community means in the presence of a global village that promotes social distancing from all fronts.

Businesses and industry at large are taking a knock from the unprecedented 21-day national lockdown in South Africa.

COVID-19 caught the world unaware, or at least, it was hard to imagine the scale and transformation of this pandemic. It changed everything. Yet, as people lose their jobs, economies are stunted, and communities stay at home to minimise infections and thereby saving lives; a new breed of socially conscious startups are emerging, some even flourishing without profiteering in the crisis.

Redefined rules of engagement

History has shown us since the beginning of time that a crisis – stemming from a pandemic, war or recession – can alter history. Take, for example, how The Black Death in the 1300s led to a breakaway from Europe’s feudal system towards more modernised employment contracts.

We also can’t overlook how the SARS pandemic of 2002-2004 propelled the surge of retail e-commerce companies. When one considers COVID-19 and how it stunted travel with travel bans and social distancing – we can’t help but notice that this crisis is giving rise to new opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs ready to answer the global call.

Crisis opportunities

The effects of COVID-19 will be long-lasting, particularly in shifting consumer and industry behaviour. Startups and entrepreneurs that are to benefit from this crisis need to be aware of the social constraints and changes in the landscape. By this, we don’t mean those that withhold good, cause or perpetuate a crisis, but rather those that come up with socially-minded solutions to help in a time of need.

Practical examples to get one step ahead

Here are some of the ways socially conscious startups can fill a void and thrive, even now.

  • With fear, panic and deaths lurking in a crisis, startups that offer digital mental health support at a large scale can have an added advantage
  • Lowering costs and filling a niche that minimises consumer fears (e.g. come up with solutions to keep the economy running while encouraging social distancing)
  • Leveraging on technology and transparency (e.g. combating fake news and making use of mobile phones to keep potential customers updated of crisis updates, their testing results and so forth)
  • Create a post-coronavirus world strategy to minimise disruptions
  • Speed, decisive action and making “the impossible” happen is key (e.g. China broke records in constructing a 645,000 sq.ft hospital about 10 days)

Much can be done by socially conscious startups to help

In some cases, startups can get their much-needed break in times of a crisis. This is because in a crisis lies opportunities. Take, for example, the SA Teen Entrepreneur Trust COVID-19 Idea Challenge. It is aimed at High School Students across the world. The purpose is to identify COVID-19 related problems and to come up with solutions. This can be done individually or as a team.

The top ideas will be invited to pitch online, in front of a group of investors and mentors. For ideas that are deemed feasible and innovative; funding will be arranged to help you take them to the next stages. Whichever way you look at it, you can always find the opportunities – even in a crisis. You alone can decide to panic or to be part of the solution. Make the right decision.