Past programmes & funds

This pre-seed accelerator programme develops early-stage social businesses through investment, business support and cross-sector partnerships. Each social enterprise receives 3-months of mentorship from a team of corporate professionals and is then invited to pitch for up to £50,000 of investment. 

Grant funding, financed by The National Lottery Community Fund, with the aim of helping social enterprises rebuild and grow sustainable community services in the face of ongoing disruption from COVID-19, and to provide continued support people experiencing increased social and economic challenges. The funding was split into two rounds: £1.35m in the first round closed in 2021, and £2.7m in the second round closed in 2022. 

• Grants ranging between £10,000 and £100,000 

Social Enterprise Investment Fund II (fully committed) supports ambitious social enterprises and charities with sustainable business models looking to grow and extend their social impact. The fund is the successor to SEIF I, our first social impact investment fund launched in 2010, and now fully committed having invested over £8 million into 22 social enterprises. Having reached the end of its 10-year life, SEIF I is realising its investments and is in the process of repaying its investors. 

• Repayable finance for working capital and capital expenditure purposes 
• Loans and investments, including secured and unsecured loans, equity, and loans with performance-related repayment terms 
• Investments between £250,000 and £3.5 million 
• Flexible term 

The Outcomes Investment Fund (now closed) makes investments into charities and social enterprises delivering payment by results contracts into the public sector, where some or all the income is dependent on achieving improved social outcomes. 

• Loans based on impact performance of the organisation 
• Typical investment range £250,000 to £2 million 
• Flexible term 
• Loans can be secured and unsecured