<p>This study examines the employment growth ambitions of social entrepreneurs compared to their commercial counterparts. While social entrepreneurs aim to scale social impact, commercial entrepreneurs focus on scaling financial impact. We shall argue that scaling social impact requires ongoing human engagement, keeping employment growth ambitions high, while commercial entrepreneurs scale financial impact through efficiency and technology, reducing labor needs over time. These arguments suggest that social entrepreneurs have higher employment growth ambitions compared to commercial entrepreneurs. Drawing on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data across venture stages, our empirical analysis reveals that social entrepreneurs have higher employment growth ambitions, often increasing as ventures mature, while commercial entrepreneurs’ employment growth ambitions are lower and decline over the venture life cycle. This study highlights the distinct dynamics shaping employment growth ambitions in social and commercial ventures, offering new insights into the relationship between entrepreneurial missions and growth and scaling trajectories.</p>