We couldn’t organise and host the Social Enterprise Policy and Practice Conference 2023 without the generous support of our sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s awards, we’d love to hear from you. To find out more please contact kirstie.armsworth@socialenterprise.scot .
Please meet our generous sponsors:
At the Social Enterprise Academy, we believe social entrepreneurs play an essential role in changing the world. We strengthen their role in local communities through transformational learning programmes that will increase their community impact. Our programmes are accredited, responsive to learner needs, and are delivered by experienced facilitators who are social change leaders themselves. Since 2004, we have facilitated over 28,000 adult learners and 55,000 young people to help create fairer communities in over 30 countries around the world.
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Firstport is the first port of call for social entrepreneurs in Scotland. It provides free support, advice and encouragement to budding entrepreneurs who want to make their business commercially sound and socially worthwhile. Its services include grant funding, business advice and social investment.
Firstport is part of the Firstport Group, Scotland’s leading agency for supporting social entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and purpose-led businesses. The group has over 16 years of experience helping thousands of entrepreneurs to develop, start, and grow their businesses.
Visit their website or email the team.Twitter/X , Facebook , Instagram and Linkedin .
Impact Hub Inverness is Scotland’s first Impact Hub serving the Highlands and Islands to support the development and growth of social enterprises across the Highlands and Islands. Impact Hub Inverness is a flexible co-working space in the centre of Inverness established to bring together lone workers, to combat social isolation and to encourage collaboration and social entrepreneurship. It is a space to work and to connect with like minded individuals and organisations. It is run by a team of experienced business advisors who provide business support to the third sector through the Just Enterprise programme and consultancy services and run regular networking events and workshops.
Visit their website and email the team.Twitter/X and Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin .
Just Enterprise provides fully-funded support to social enterprises and enterprising charities in Scotland.
The programme’s comprehensive range of services is designed to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, knowledge and resources they need to start, build and grow successful businesses and includes business skills workshops, one-to-one support, e-learning and more. Funded by the Scottish Government, the Just Enterprise programme is delivered by a consortium of Third Sector partners led by CEIS Group
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South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) is the one-stop shop for businesses and enterprising communities throughout Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. We’re here to help people and enterprises in the South to thrive, grow, and fulfil their best potential.
SOSE works across Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders, providing a range of services and support to help businesses and communities to realise their full potential. Services can include training, advice, specialist expertise, and funding (grants and loans). For inspiration, see the case studies on businesses and communities we’ve helped around the region.
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Inspiralba is a charitable enterprise, based in Argyll and Bute, established in 2009, with the aim to support economic growth and deliver social and environmental benefits for communities across Scotland.
We provide a range of services which offer; employability support for those facing barriers and household poverty, business support for social and community led enterprise as well as providing learning opportunities and advocacy with a focus on rural social enterprise.
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Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) works with businesses, social enterprise and communities of all sizes to help them develop and grow. We take a place-based approach to supporting organisations. This means that we don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach, we tailor support to capitalise on the unique opportunities presented across the region to help each community reach its potential. We also support businesses looking to locate in our region.
Our support can include specialist advice across a range of key topics including innovation, R&D and improving productivity, as well as access to property, and funding. We take a collaborative and flexible approach to engaging with our clients.
Visit their website and email the team.Twitter/X , and Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn .
Big Society Capital is the UK’s leading social impact-led investor, our mission is to grow the amount of money invested in tackling social issues and inequalities in the UK.
We do this by investing ourselves and enabling others to invest for impact too. Since 2012, we have helped the social impact investment market grow tenfold to nearly £8bn. This capital has financed social purpose organisations tackling everything from homelessness to mental health and fuel poverty.
Working with expert partners, we seek to understand people’s needs first. Then, using our knowledge and capital, we collaborate and invest with fund managers who also want to create a better, sustainable future.
They, and the social enterprises and charities they invest in, create the impact. Our role is to bring the most relevant experts from our network to the table, generating ideas and connecting capital to where it’s most needed.
Visit their website and email the team.Twitter/X , and LinkedIn .