Partnering with philanthropists, impact investors and mission-led businesses should become the norm across government, says Darren Jones, but concerns emerge that grassroots organisations might struggle to be heard by policymakers.
OPINION: The £28bn National Wealth Fund’s new strategy firmly closed the door on social enterprises and charities, says Social Investment Business’s Jack Wakefield. The social economy should have equal access to public finance.
New Philanthropy Capital claims it's made the first estimate of the scale of the UK’s impact economy, bringing together impact-led businesses, charities, political parties and others, while omitting co-operatives and employee-led businesses.
Quadrennial review praises Access for its success in providing wider access to social investment but highlights challenges as mobilising new sources of funding beyond dormant assets proves increasingly urgent.
With VC investing on the decline, could deflating interest in unicorns be replaced by more focused attention on 'zebras'? Plus, a new podcast episode featuring the UK’s biggest community wind farm – and the people who benefit from their success.
SEWF23: As the Social Enterprise World Forum arrives in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, its organisers aim to not only foster connections within the movement, but also move social enterprise higher up the global agenda.
The global impact deals, reports and initiatives you need to know about this month – all in one place. Featuring Oceanium, Astanor Ventures, Fair4All Finance, Big Society Capital, Temasek Trust, and many more.
The age of the unicorn – startups valued at US$1bn or more – is over, some say. Enter the zebra: businesses that pursue purpose and profit, and that show resilience in times of crisis. But to flourish, they'll need a big mindset shift among VCs.
Tributes pour in following this week’s news of the death of Suzanne Biegel, the impact investor whose “legacy would require many lifetimes to fully honour”.
Applications open for new fund offering loans of between £1m and £4m to social enterprises with track record of profitability in health and social care, affordable housing and ‘social infrastructure’.
The UK's social investment market appears resilient, but a closer look at the data reveals that the economic crisis is biting hard. Plus, how a Pakistani social enterprise saves lives; and a new institute for philanthropy launches – with a lot of cash.
