“It’s imperative to understand the problem you’re trying to solve, not just treating the symptoms. Applied Behavior Science & Systems thinking has been a game-changer in that respect.”
Entrepreneur Today reached out to Ankita Mirani, a social designer with a passion for decoding systems and human behaviour, who is building solutions for complex societal and environmental challenges.
Founder of Social Innovation Studio, Ankita has completed her Master’s of Research in Healthcare and Design, at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London. The bulk of Ankita’s work focuses on combining complex systems thinking with behaviour change principles to create lasting impact and outcomes for non-profits and impact-forward organisations. As Ankita explains,
“We work with systems thinking and behaviour science theories to enable grassroots impact and make it more measurable, scalable and fundable. We aim to help our partners create effective and sustainable social impact by designing interventions that address root causes and empower communities to adopt long-term, meaningful changes.”
The studio works across health, livelihood, education, skill development, and climate resilience, designing interventions that empower communities—helping youth navigate employment pathways, strengthening local trainers, and enabling behaviour shifts for long-term impact.
A Rebel with a Cause
Reflecting on what led Ankita to pursue this course in life, she highlights that she has always wanted to create a positive impact. Growing up in a business family, she knew how to run an enterprise and the ins and outs of business ownership. Ankita asserts,
“I knew I wanted my work to have a deeper meaning. I wanted to find a path where ‘making money’ and ‘making a difference’ weren’t mutually exclusive.”
Today, she is a bit surprised by where life has taken her, but also grateful. She knows she is changing the world with one intervention at a time. Moving forward, her mission is to impact over 1 million lives by 2026.
An Edge in the Market
What Social Innovation Studio is doing is unlike others in the market. Their USP lies in the way they combine systems thinking, behavioural science, human-centred design, and design thinking for programs implemented by NGOs and Governments. Ankita says,
“We don’t just look at the surface of a problem; we dig deep to understand the interconnected systems at play and how human behaviour influences everything. That’s where the real magic happens.”
Moreover, Ankita and her team also believe in co-creation. At Social Innovation Studio, they make sure to involve program strategy and field teams as well as the beneficiaries in the design process. Ankita adds,
“This is crucial to design solutions that are not only effective but also relatable, feasible, and, well, desirable. Because if people don’t want to use a solution, it’s not going to work.”
She further adds,
“We’re in it for the long haul. We offer end-to-end delivery, from research and innovation all the way through to implementation. So, basically, we’re not just thinking outside the box; we’re redesigning the box altogether, with everyone who’s going to be using it.”
Troubled Waters
Like every new venture, Social Innovation Studio had its own share of troubles. One of the initial struggles, as Ankita mentions, was to make the organisations understand the importance of design in social impact. Ankita asserts,
“Design approach isn’t just a nice-to-have, but a must-have for maximising social impact.”
With time they were able to explain the systems thinking and behaviour changes to such clients. Another major challenge they faced was securing funding. As Ankita explains, non-profits often focus more on program delivery as compared to design thinking, which makes it difficult for them to secure funds. Moreover, Ankita notes,
“Every social challenge is different. There’s no magic bullet. We’ve learned to trust the design process, letting solutions emerge organically, even if it means a bit of a messy journey. It’s all part of the adventure.”
Celebrating Feats
“Our success is measured by the impact we have on individuals, communities, and institutions”
So far, the team is proud of numerous achievements, especially one of the projects that empowered farmers to adopt agroforestry. Some of their other achievements include mapping the impact of compassion with the Satyarthi Movement, creating playbooks for women-led businesses, and collaborating with the Grameen Foundation.
Another major accomplishment is being invited to speak at the RISE Peco and Catalysing Social Impact in 2024.
Future Looks Bright
Moving forward, their plans for Social Innovation Studio include partnering with global foundations, trusts, and government agencies to scale impact. They are also looking to collaborate with state governments and organisations working on policy and program implementation. The goal, according to Ankita, is to integrate the design approach into large-scale initiatives, shaping policies and programs that drive systemic change.
Ankita believes that it is important to experiment, iterate and learn from mistakes in the past. Most importantly, it’s crucial to make the meaning of success in your own terms, not society’s. Lastly, as she signs off, she reminds the budding entrepreneurs:
“Don’t be afraid to embrace the messy journey. Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight line. There will be setbacks, pivots, and moments of doubt. But if you’re driven by a genuine desire to make a difference, you’ll find a way to persevere.”
