Business School

  • Cathy Benwell, founder of A Good Thing: ‘Every donation creates a relationship’

    Good Leaders Podcast: Could every unwanted laptop, pillow or sofa spark something bigger? A Good Thing’s co-founder Cathy Benwell tells Tim West how her circular economy social business turns would-be waste into social impact.

  • ‘We want this to be global’: How South Yorkshire is building a blueprint for child-lens investing around the world

    The Dream Big South Yorkshire Fund unites social finance, local government and one of the world's leading children's charities. We speak to Key Fund and Save the Children to explore their ambitions for this pioneeering pilot.

  • Ghana’s groundbreaking US$75m Ci-Gaba fund proves Africa doesn’t have a private capital problem

    EXPERT INSIGHT: Ghana’s first pension-backed, blended finance fund of funds is proof of concept that domestic savings, not foreign aid, could become the biggest source of finance for African SMEs.

  • ‘Go with your gut’ – Solène Declas, founder of Aibo and Ignite winner 2025

    University graduate Solène Declas ditched business school to found Aibo, a platform that tackles loneliness by pairing young adults with elderly people looking for companionship. She shares the joys and challenges she faces as a young social entrepreneur.

  • Social enterprise and impact investing events in 2026 and beyond

    Ready to network, learn and get inspired? Don't book your diary without the Pioneers Post roundup of impact economy events coming soon – for social entrepreneurs, impact investors and all those working within the global impact economy.

  • Pioneers Post Business School: How to do good business, better

    The tools and insight you need to do good business, better. Get expert advice, practical insight and frontline examples on key business management topics from our network of social business practitioners and advisors. 

Failure

Why do some social investments fail?

Last year CAF Venturesome examined why some of its social investments have failed to repay in full. CAF's team focussed on financial “failure”, rather than failure to achieve social impact. What are the most common reasons loans don't get repaid?

Caroline Mason_social investment_leadership_interview

Investor Profile: Caroline Mason

After feeling completely disenchanted by the mainstream financial sector, CEO of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Caroline Mason explains why the world of social finance appealed. 

Mountain climbing_snow_hiking_sport_Winter

5 Critical challenges faced by entrepreneurs

Calling all social entrepreneurs! Applications for UnLtd's Big Venture Challenge are now open. The programme's coordinators reflect on some of the key challenges faced by past participants of the business support programme.