Latest figures from the UK's CIC Regulator show almost 5,000 more CICs on the register in 2021, bringing total to nearly 24,000 and surpassing growth rate reported by Companies House – but dependency on grant funding remains unclear.

Messages of support are one thing, says Kabul-based entrepreneur, but outsiders can show real solidarity by outsourcing professional media, consulting and tech services to Afghanistan’s startups. 

Leading UK social enterprise buys 28-year-old coffee bar chain, taking on 370 staff, as part of pandemic-assisted acquisition strategy to create more social businesses.

A £30m budget to tackle homelessness may sound tiny, but the social investment pilot is already leveraging millions more in investment. We unpick the details of a complex collection of funds – and find out what they hope to achieve. 

Social supply chains are big business in pandemic year as Buy Social Corporate Challenge signs up 27 large firms. But reaching £1bn target will need many more contract-ready social enterprises. 

Nick Hurd, Ronald Cohen and Elizabeth Corley are joined by Douglas L Peterson of S&P Global in new Impact Taskforce which aims to emulate “rocket booster” effect of UK’s last G7 presidency on impact investment worldwide. 

A 10% weighting for social value in selecting government contracts – potentially rising to 20% – plus new requirement to pay a living wage welcomed as “major step forward” as Northern Ireland plays catch-up with rest of UK.

Social business Catch22 – itself the product of a merger between two organisations – has announced a string of tie-ups in recent years, including at least one that didn't quite go to plan. CEO Chris Wright shares what he’s learned from the experience. 

First-time deal means tech for good VC can increase financial firepower up to ten-fold and hold its own among mainstream competitors – while ensuring no “watering down” of focus on impact, according to CEO.