Alastair Davis

The investment programmes - Step Up and Scale Up Challenges - have been created to reflect the varying nature and scope of social enterprises.

With £300,000 of social investment loan funding, the Step Up Challenge will provide a number of organisations with financial support ranging from £10,000 - £100,000. Successful applicants will also receive tailored support to help them achieve their growth aspirations. The initiative has been tailored to support smaller, or earlier stage organisations aiming to take their first steps towards growing and scaling their impact.

In contrast, the Scale Up Challenge is assisted by £3 million of funding and is aimed at larger, more established and ambitious organisations that are looking to scale their activities in a more significant way. Investment between £100,000 and £1 million is available as well as bespoke business support to help them achieve their significant growth plans.

Alastair Davis, CEO, Social Investment Scotland, said: “We are proud to be launching two new funding initiatives that can provide investment solutions from as little as £10,000.

“Both challenges have been designed to reflect the varying needs of our customers. We work with and receive enquiries from a wide range of social enterprises – some just starting out and looking to take their first steps towards scaling their operations and impact, while others are larger and more established but with the same aim of growing their offering. These programmes aim to help those with ambition and drive to grow their social impact.”

Interested organisations have until 22 August 2019 to express their interest, with successful applicants being announced by the end of September 2019.