How do you make social investment truly inclusive? Three UK initiatives – Good Finance, Ubele Initiative and CAF Venturesome – working to widen access to support and funding share what they have learned.
UK equity and racial justice fund attracts hundreds of leaders and founders from underrepresented backgrounds – debunking fears that there would be insufficient demand from diverse leaders, fund manager says.
There’s a new wave of diverse-led social enterprises in the UK, many ambitious and ready to grow. Yet often they’re unaware of, or unable to access, the right support or investment – or they're discouraged to even try. What needs to change?
Locally-rooted and entrepreneur-led, with zero interest and ‘social’ repayment options – Kindred has created a flexible financing solution that’s strengthening dozens of social ventures.
Over-ambitious return expectations? Inspiration for the rest of the world? Too London-focused? As the UK’s social investment wholesaler marks its tenth anniversary, we canvassed a range of views on its successes and failures so far.
Listening to feedback and making tangible changes in response isn't easy, says UnLtd's David Bartram – but Big Society Capital's recent proposals will not drive the transformation needed to support purpose-led ventures.
Social Enterprise UK and Big Society Capital are among nine organisations promoting the Community Enterprise Growth Plan, a “once-in-a-decade opportunity” to accelerate growth of social enterprise in underserved communities.
The Adebowale Commission was a timely challenge to UK social investors. But to provide more enterprise-centric finance we need answers to some important questions, says the Social Investment Forum chair.
PLUS: Willicroft targets new markets with €2m raise; UK’s CDFI lending jumps by a third in one year; appetite for impact investing rises; Lendahand crowdfunding platform shifts gear; and much more.
