Big Issue Invest

We’re Live 📹. Our Power Up London Accelerator Programme end of cohort event at Sustainable Ventures (incredible venue!) is about to get underway away. We can’t wait to hear from all the innovative and impactful participants 🫶. If you’d like to learn more about the programme please contact Holger Westphely. The UK government funds Power Up London through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Mayor of London.

We're excited for tomorrow! 🙌 Cohort 2 of our Power Up London Accelerator Programme is coming to a close and tomorrow we're hosting an event at Sustainable Ventures to celebrate all the incredible participants. The event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, and other Big Issue Invest partners to celebrate our cohort 2 participants and create an opportunity to share insights, network, and exchange ideas to tackle some of the biggest social issues in the UK 💫 Participants presenting on the day will be: Leiho, New Arrivals Support CIC, Fusion Fields Housing Co-operative, Bridging Barriers, Throw Flow, The Magic Stork CIC, Meds2Trace, Good Nugget, Workshop of Recycled Delights, Raphael's Room, InCommon Foundation, Amplify Us CIC, Sustenta CIC, LegalAliens Theatre Company, Paapo, Black Farmers Market CIC and Queer Salsa. If you'd like to learn more about the event please contact Carolina Cirillo, Holger Westphely or Serena Crisp. The UK government funds Power Up London through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund - Mayor of London 📽️ The video below features Zainab Omokhe founder of Wander Wild Forest School, a Power Up London Cohort 1 participant. #UKSPF

Nominations are now open for Big Issue's 2025 Changemakers – a tribute to the people & organisations making Britain better. 🙌 Is there a trailblazer in your local community? Or do you know an organisation making a big difference? Nominate them below. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ePNr3Zv8

We’re thrilled that Big Issue Invest has been shortlisted for Social Investment Deal of the Year, for the #GrowthImpactFund’s investment in Lightning Reach in Social Enterprise UK's prestigious #SocEntAwards24! 😁 This award recognises sector-leading excellence and innovation among businesses working towards positive social outcomes and environmental impact, so it’s a real honour to be a finalist. Please cross your fingers 🤞 for us on 4 December, when we’ll find out who wins...

Are you a social purpose organisation seeking investment but confused by different finance options? Join British Business Bank's Business Finance Week event. From starting up to innovation and working capital, you'll be able to get to grips with different finance options and how they could support your ambitions. 📆 24 Sep - 3 October | See what's happening near you: https://lnkd.in/eDC7yVdG

Our 2023/24 #GrowthImpactFund Impact Report is out! - Here's your snapshot 🔽 🌟 65,000 people facing systemic inequities in the UK were reached. 🌟 12,148 people from racialised communities, including 8,383 students and young people received employment support through diverse recruitment programmes. 35 racialised individuals supported into employment as a result. 🌟 50,058 people facing socio-economic disadvantage, including 42 people in prison participating in an employability programme delivered at Brixton prison. 🌟 41,737 people supported to access the financial support they are entitled to. 🌟 2,106 disabled people including 30 long-term unemployed neurodivergent job seekers supported into employment and 80 people accessing career guidance and support through inclusive recruitment processes. 🌟 2,381 LGBTQIA+ students aged 13-18 were engaged through equity audits to have their say in inclusivity at their school. Read more here: https://bit.ly/3X8PIAk Or contact Sarah Faber, Ben Tiplady from Big Issue Invest, or Trishna Nath from our fund partner UnLtd if you'd like to discuss the fund in more detail. 📸 below features investee DWRM.

We love this! ❤️ Congratulations to the entire Home Kitchen: The Social Impact Restaurant team. Book now! #investee #socialimpact #opportunity

📢 Exciting News: We've joined forces with NACFB - the UK's largest trade association for commercial finance brokers. James Potter, Big Issue Invest, Investment Director said: “We're excited about the huge potential to extend our regional impact. We'll initially look to work with the NACFB broker community on regional opportunities in England, particularly in place-based health and community infrastructure sectors, with loans that range from £100,000 to £3,500,000." To learn more about our social impact investing and opportunities for NACFB brokers please speak to James Potter Rebecca Moss, or Ben Tiplady. #SocialImpact #Finance #Partnership #Invest #broker

Sarah Faber, Investment Director at Big Issue Invest, shares highlights from the new 2023/24 #GrowthImpactFund Impact Report: 💬 "I’m thrilled to share the impact the #GrowthImpactFund has made on the lives of social purpose organisations across the UK. UnLtd and Big Issue Invest came together to set up the fund in response to the Adebowale Commission and the need for new and innovative approaches to social investment. The fund is committed to breaking the systemic barriers that founders from underserved communities face, and I’m so proud that 100% of our investments have met these criteria. The fund has also championed the lived experience of our social entrepreneurs. 79% of our portfolio have lived experience of the problems they are working to address. This past year, we have validated our investment approach and couldn't have done it without the support of our Investment Committee, Advisory Group, Funders, and most importantly our investees. Together, we have reached over 65,000 people facing systemic inequities nationwide." If you'd like to learn more, you can read our full impact report here 🔽 https://bit.ly/3AHqYYn

We know that social investing can change lives, and this year, we’ve proven it 🙌 When we joined forces with UnLtd to create the #GrowthImpactFund (GIF), we hoped to tackle the structural barriers to social investment highlighted in the Adebowale Commission. In 2023/24 we’ve made massive strives towards making this a reality 🔽 🆕 75% of organisations that received investment from GIF were new to investment. 👫 Our portfolio has reached 65,000 people facing systemic inequities in the UK. 💯 100% of organisations in the GIF portfolio are diverse-led. You can read the full GIF impact report for 2023/24 here: https://bit.ly/3AHqYYn