> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mars-solutions-lab.gitbook.io/living-guide-to-social-innovation-labs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mars-solutions-lab.gitbook.io/living-guide-to-social-innovation-labs/being/value-of-social-innovation-labs/business-models.md).

# Business Models

The Business Model Canvas (BMC) was originally developed to help startups think through their business model. The BMC is an alternative to a business plan, and helps entrepreneurs think through the different aspects of their business – helping them to build a business from scratch, or to improve on a specific business product or service.

![Source: Business Model Canvas, Strategyzer. https://strategyzer.com/canvas/business-model-canvas.](/files/-LisC0VsD7QiCQv-JOEP)

The business model canvas is a powerful visual distillation of Alexander Osterwalder's PhD thesis "The Business Model Ontology." Its popularity has led to numerous adaptations, including socially and environmentally conscious variations. They include the [Flourishing Business Canvas](http://www.flourishingbusiness.org/the-toolkit-flourishing-business-canvas/), the [Social Business Model Canvas](http://www.socialbusinessmodelcanvas.com/), and the [Mission Model Canvas](https://steveblank.com/2016/02/23/the-mission-model-canvas-an-adapted-business-model-canvas-for-mission-driven-organizations/). 

These canvases may helpful for social innovation labs to create a business model for a project, or solutions idea/ intervention.

{% file src="/files/-LisJyxp0jUuF9\_HRy\_C" %}
Template - Business Model Canvas
{% endfile %}