There is no universal definition of social enterprise. In general, an social enterprise is a business to achieve specific social objectives such as providing the services (for example support service for the elderly) or products needed by the community, creating employment and training opportunities for the socially disadvantaged, protecting the environment, funding its other social services through the profits earned, etc. Its profits will be principally reinvested in the business for the social objectives that it pursues. In other words, the primary objective of an SE is to achieve its social objectives, rather than maximizing profits for distribution to its shareholders.
As at the end of 2023, there are 713 social enterprises projects in Hong Kong.
(Information is extracted from Home Affairs and SEBC of Hong Kong Council of Social Service)