Three social enterprises prepare to enter the ‘Shark Tank’
26 organisations. Three pitches. And some very hungry sharks.
Biodynamic Land Trust, Soul of Africa and Good-Loop will be practising their investment pitches at the Good Deals + Beyond Good Business conference next Tuesday 13th March. Each have hopes of raising funds ranging from £25k to £1m to take their businesses to the next level.
The conference delivered by Pioneers Post and Hatch is the UK’s leading annual social enterprise and impact investment event, and will see over 300 social entrepreneurs, investors and advisors come together at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in central London.
The event will finish with the ‘Shark Tank’ live pitching session in the central auditorium. Investment ‘sharks’ Megan Peat (RBS), Andy Hodgetts (Buzzacott), and Meena Manian (Resonance) will be chewing over their pitches, and delegates will be voting for which of the pitchers they think will sink or swim. At the end of the session, the audience will vote for their favourite pitch.
A roundtable at the Good Deals and Beyond Good Business event 2017
Out of 26 applicants, the final three were chosen for their diversity, originality, and clear roadmaps of financial goals.
Biodynamic Land Trust, which has secured over 300 acres for sustainable farming purposes, is looking for £120k to fund the completion of a multi-purpose low-carbon community centre and development of charitable business systems. Pitching for the trust will be executive director Gabriel Kaye and communications manager Elisabeth Winkler.
Shoe making social enterprise Soul of Africa will be represented by managing director Dulma Clark, who is seeking £250k to develop her management team and a new kids’ sneakers range.
CEO Amy Williams will represent Good-Loop, which has so far generated £8.6m towards converting advertising money into funding for charitable causes, and needs over £250k to scale up its business.
In addition to the three chosen to pitch, the organisers hope that all the social ventures seeking finance will find the investment and support they need.
The full list of organisations looking for investment is as follows:
>£10k
Insight for Good - events and marketing
£10k-£25k
Ask Inclusive Finance - funding for over 1,500 businesses in disadvantaged communities UK-wide
Hope in Hell Theatre - start up and staffing costs
LoveWell - setting up of a new kitchen and lab
Lucy with a why - funding pro bono marketing to charities
The Canvas - improving operations and social impact
£25k-£50k
Commonplace - converting the bus into a functional and beautiful event space
Coventry Priory - installing a cafe/bar and extending event programme
Females of Empowerment - supporting healing retreats for vulnerable women
Shape History - supporting the Shape History Academy programme
Stand4 - scaling the business
The Clothes Club - building and testing the new app
Whatiscollective - supporting six upcoming events
£50k-£250k
Enrol Yourself - expanding to eight regions
EnSo Impact - building a team, equipping key resources
Grant A Smile - supporting parents battling chronic illness and terminal conditions
Juta Shoes - starting up a skills training programme
Red Dragon Manufacturing Ltd (ROOF) - moving to bigger premises
The Biodynamic Land Trust - building a new low-carbon community centre
Work for Good - growing the team and resources
£250k-£500k
Deciwatt - building the commercial team
Good-Loop - growing the team and scaling up
Soul of Africa - opening kids’ sneakers range and developing management team
£250k-£1m
How Do I? - developing partnerships
Start Again - purchasing premises and re-development
£1m+
Community Power Cornwall - acquiring and re-financing existing renewable installations
Dignity Platform - support for the fundraising marketplace
