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The Firstport of call for Social Enterprise
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“Sometimes you just need a boost.” Many organisations reach a point where progress slows or becomes difficult to maintain.
Social investment can help overcome that moment, providing the support needed to move forward. It can unlock the next stage of growth when things feel stuck.
If you’re at that point and need support to move forward, you can learn more about the Catalyst Fund and how it supports you to get over that hump. Tap this link https://ow.ly/SvMT50Z03CU to learn more about the Catalyst Fund and how to apply.
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.
Discover LaunchMe today
https://ow.ly/4GW250YZuuC
28/05/2026
Ready to RISE is a free training programme designed to support women and non-binary people across Scotland to learn about social enterprise and discover their potential to use entrepreneurship to make a living.
The training is designed to help you build confidence, develop your skills, and explore your ideas. It covers creating a work/life blend that suits you, managing yourself and others, building your network, and includes an ideation session plus practical guidance on starting a social enterprise.
Our next session is on the 4th of June from 1:30pm at the Wee Retreat Southside in Glasgow.
This information session will feature social entrepreneur Trudi Donahue – Founder and CEO of Wild & Kind.
To reserve your space at this session, click on this link to register https://events.humanitix.com/ready-to-rise-information-session-at-the-wee-retreat-southside
LaunchMe: Wild and Kind Wild and Kind, a social enterprise based in Glasgow, focusses on minimising isolation and loneliness for women. Trudi Donahue, founder, uses the profits from her ethical mechandise sales to fund workshops, meet-ups, and community events for women and those outwith the gender binary. Our LaunchMe pro...
27/05/2026
The Social Innovation Challenge (SIC) is a grant-funding and support programme that seeks innovative solutions to the most pressing challenges of our times.
We accept applications from anyone with an idea for a social enterprise project that can deliver a tangible, long-lasting, positive impact addressing the theme.
The winner will receive a £30,000 grant and tailored support for the duration of their award to help them kick-start their solution. The other finalists will receive £10,000 each, in addition to signposting or introductions to alternative sources of funding or capacity-building programmes.
“We support organisations over the long term.” Growth takes time, and support needs to reflect that reality.
Longer-term investment allows organisations to stabilise, learn, and build sustainably. It creates space for progress that is measured rather than rushed.
If you’re thinking about long-term growth, you can learn more about the Catalyst Fund and how it supports organisations over time.
Tap on this link https://ow.ly/iriI50Z03AC for more information.
26/05/2026
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
25/05/2026
Ready to RISE (Readiness & Incubation for the Social Economy) is a programme to help women and non-binary people across Scotland learn about social enterprise and discover their potential to use entrepreneurship to make a living, work flexibly and positively impact their communities.
This is a free training programme, with the potential opportunity to access our Pipeline Fund to help you take your idea forward.
To find out more attending one of our upcoming information sessions in Glasgow, tap the link to register https://ow.ly/XAfZ50Z3NIj
“Social investment should feel like a natural progression.” For organisations reaching a more mature stage, considering finance is often a natural part of growth, not a departure from it.
When foundations are in place, investment can become the next step in sustaining and expanding impact. It’s about timing, readiness, and aligning support with where the organisation is now.
To discover our social investment offer and to apply, tap on this link https://ow.ly/z0wS50Z03pS
22/05/2026
If you’ve got an idea that could make a difference in your community, but you’re not sure how to turn it into something real, Ready to RISE could be the perfect place to start.
This free programme supports women and non-binary people across Scotland to explore social enterprise, build confidence, and take the first steps towards creating flexible, meaningful work that has a positive impact.
There’s also the opportunity to apply for Firstport’s Pipeline Fund to help bring your idea to life.
Find out more at the Empower Women for Change information session and sign up here: https://ow.ly/s14M50Z1AqS
“We can flex and make ourselves more accessible.” Social enterprises often operate outside traditional lending expectations.
Their models and priorities require a different approach to finance. Flexibility, and solutions like revenue based finance can allow investment to meet those realities rather than exclude funding all together.
If you’ve struggled to access traditional funding, learn more about the Catalyst Fund and whether it may be the right fit for your ambitions.
For more information on the Catalyst Fund and how to apply, tap on the link https://ow.ly/2T5h50Z03oq
21/05/2026
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
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