Big Issue Invest is in the process of launching a Social Enterprise Investment Fund. This will provide long-term, growth capital for social enterprises that have a clear social purpose and can demonstrate a sustainable revenue stream and growth potential.
Details of the fund are still slightly sketchy but it seems that investments will be from £50,000 to £500,000 and can be used for a variety of purposes. Big Issue Invest hope to take a long term view of the investment and will be looking to generate returns through cash flow in a manner which doesn't jeopardise the social objectives of the business.
They will also want to be actively involved as a strategic partner in the enterprise, probably through Board representation and the provision of business mentors. The fund plans to return capital to their investors, together with a reasonable financial return which will be linked to high social and environmental returns. In this way they hope the fund will be a vehicle to grow social enterprises while demonstrating the viability of social investing to the wider investment community. You can find further details on their website.
