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The Firstport of call for Social Enterprise
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If your social or community enterprise is ready to scale, now is the time to prepare.
LaunchMe supports organisations in Scotland to build investment readiness and confidence for growth.
“You’ll also need to show the impact.” Social investment looks beyond financial return alone.
It considers how growth translates into impact, what changes, and who benefits. This connection is what allows investment to support meaningful, long-term outcomes.
If you’re preparing to grow your social enterprise and want to talk it through, you can speak to our investment readiness team and explore what support might be right for you. Tap on this link to learn more https://ow.ly/Sxa550Z03TC
16/06/2026
Throughout 2025-26 we awarded £1.69 million in grant funding.
Investing in people, ideas and enterprises that are creating positive change across Scotland's communities.
15/06/2026
In 2025-26, we helped unlock £1.28 million in social investment.
This milestone reflects the growing role we're playing in the UK's social investment ecosystem, helping purpose-led businesses access the finance they need to start, grow and create lasting impact.
“We are humans, we will be nice to you.” Finance does not need to feel distant or intimidating.
Our investment is designed to be flexible and approachable, with space to ask questions and learn. Support continues before and after funding, helping people build confidence over time.
If you’re exploring investment and want to understand what options are available, you can learn more about Firstport’s social investment services on our website by tapping on this link https://ow.ly/Au0x50Z03Sj
14/06/2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 Social Innovation Challenge, which supports pioneering ideas to tackle Scotland’s most pressing social and environmental issues.
Delivered by Firstport, the Challenge offers a £30,000 top prize, along with hands-on support to develop and scale the winning idea. Two runners-up will each receive £10,000.
To learn more about the Social Innovation Challenge and to submit and expression of interest please click on this link https://ow.ly/jHz750Z47zH
13/06/2026
Thrive East Lothian CIC, a Haddington-based social enterprise tackling childcare inequality and child poverty won last year's Social Innovation Challenge 2025.
The award from Firstport enabled Thrive to launch a low-cost, inclusive nursery for children aged 0–5, designed to close critical childcare gaps in East Lothian and create a replicable model for communities across Scotland.
The judging panel was inspired by their lived-experience approach and commitment to trauma-informed, inclusive childcare. This is exactly the kind of model we need to see replicated across Scotland.
12/06/2026
LaunchMe supports social and community enterprises that are ready to take the next step towards securing investment.
The programme is designed for organisations that are already trading and want structured, tailored support to prepare for growth and investment.
Learn more about who LaunchMe is for by tapping on the link https://ow.ly/yVUA50Z0XLc
12/06/2026
Our 2025-26 Impact Report reflects our commitment to delivering measurable impact that drives inclusive growth and fosters resilient communities.
Through client-centred support, we build confidence, strengthen knowledge in key business areas, and help entrepreneurs navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Combined with grant funding and social investment, this support enables individuals to start, sustain and grow enterprises that create positive change.
“We open doors.” Support is not only about funding, it’s also about connection and guidance.
We work closely with a wide network of organisations and partners, helping founders access the right support at the right time. That ecosystem can make a significant difference.
If you’re looking for support that connects you into a wider network, you can learn more about it in Firstport's Revenue Based Finance Guide, featuring Social Investment Scotland, Ventures Lab and Good Finance.
Click on this link https://ow.ly/Heka50Z03QF to download the guide and find out more about Firstport and our revenue based finance offering.
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