Big Issue Invest

Big Issue Invest, established in 2005, is a London-based social enterprise that serves as the UK's first social merchant bank, dedicated to supporting social entrepreneurs. By providing early-stage investments, it aims to empower individuals and organizations that create positive social impact. The firm operates with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by social enterprises, recognizing the potential of these businesses to drive meaningful change. Through its investments, Big Issue Invest seeks to foster innovation and sustainability within the social sector, contributing to the growth of businesses that prioritize social good.

Sarah Faber

Investment Director

John Gilligan

Director

James Potter

Investment Director

Danyal Sattar

CEO

15 past transactions

From Babies with Love

Grant in 2022
From Babies With Love is a social enterprise that supports abandoned and orphaned children around the world by manufacturing & selling organic baby gifts.

OVO

Venture Round in 2022
OVO is a production company that provides various staged productions that include shakespeare productions, thomas middleton, christopher marlowe, anton chekhov, henrik ibsen and j.m.barrie, alongside classics by harold pinter, arthur miller, terence rattigan, caryl churchill and lucy kirkwood.

World Media Initiatives

Venture Round in 2022
World Media Initiatives is a production company that stands out.

Phoenix Social Enterprise

Grant in 2022
Phoenix Social Enterprise is a charity and company limited by guarantee. Phoenix Social Enterprise as a Specialist Council of Voluntary Services to empower minority ethnic and other disadvantaged groups by building up their skills, ability and capacity

Nickel Support

Venture Round in 2022
Nickel Support is a community interest company supporting neurodivergent adults and adults with learning disabilities. The organization has a simple vision, to ensure every trainee they support leads a more fulfilled and purposeful life. Employment is a key focus, but the organization supports trainees in all aspects of their lives.

Emmaus

Debt Financing in 2022
Emmaus is a charity focused on providing homes, employment, and support for individuals who have experienced homelessness. Operating 30 communities across the UK, Emmaus supports over 850 individuals, referred to as companions, who work full time in collecting, renovating, and reselling donated furniture. This model not only provides financial support for the community but also helps residents develop skills and regain their self-esteem in a supportive, family-like environment. As part of an international initiative aimed at addressing homelessness and social exclusion, Emmaus offers various opportunities for volunteering, fundraising, and donations. The organization is currently raising funds to establish its first community in Bradford and is actively seeking Trustees and a Trusts and Foundations Manager to further its mission.

Arkbound Foundation

Grant in 2022
Arkbound Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to promote reading accessibility and diversity in the media sector. They manage initiatives that enable individuals from deprived backgrounds to start their individual media businesses, write to publishing standards, and break into the publishing and media industries. In collaboration with other organizations, they support and mentor emerging writers so they can create works that are widely read and that remove unfavorable perceptions.

East Durham Community Initiatives

Debt Financing in 2022
East Durham Community Initiatives is a a housing support charity for vulnerable young people.

SouthGen

Venture Round in 2022
SouthGen is a Southwold and Waveney Valley-based community benefit society. SouthGen is a charitable community benefit society that is democratically run by its members, on a one member, one vote basis, irrespective of how many shares they own.

Sunderland Home Grown

Debt Financing in 2022
Sunderland Home Grown provides opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and mental health problems by creating training and employment opportunities as well as promoting social and therapeutic horticulture.

VU X Earth

Seed Round in 2022
VU X Earth Limited (“VU”) is a social enterprise, and owner of the Village Underground and EartH Hackney live performance venues in London.

Five Lamps

Debt Financing in 2018
Five Lamps aims to ?transform lives, raise aspirations, remove barriers and offer choice to families, business and communities?. They are a charity that supports the community by re-investing any profit back into the business. They are also known as a social enterprise, registered charity and community development finance institution.

HCT Group

Private Equity Round in 2015
HCT Group is a social enterprise in the transport industry that began in 1982 with the establishment of Hackney Community Transport, initially focused on providing affordable minibuses for local community groups. As traditional funding sources diminished in the early 1990s, the organization adapted by competing for commercial contracts, enabling it to sustain its community transport services. Today, HCT Group has expanded significantly, operating ten depots across the UK, employing around 800 staff, and maintaining a fleet of 500 vehicles. The enterprise generates substantial revenue, with a turnover of £43.7 million reported for the 2013/14 financial year. HCT Group offers a diverse range of transport services, including red bus services, school transport, day center transport, and independent travel training, successfully facilitating over 20 million passenger trips annually.

State of Ambition

Convertible Note in 2013
State of Ambition Ltd. operates a campaign platform designed to support young people in pursuing their career ambitions. The platform allows individuals to articulate their goals and seek assistance in various fields such as accounting, creative industries, legal, marketing, and media. Participants create a "Postcard of Ambition" and engage in a 21-day campaign to raise their profile and initiate meaningful conversations within their desired industries. The company collaborates with brands through employee networks, enhancing exposure for both young aspirants and the companies involved, which contributes to social responsibility and access to diverse talent. In addition, State of Ambition conducts workshops and talks aimed at fostering resilience, confidence, and collaboration among youth. The organization dedicates 70% of its net profits to grants and scholarships, furthering its commitment to empower young people in achieving their ambitions. Founded in 2012 and based in the United Kingdom, State of Ambition was formerly known as Next Step Up Ltd. before rebranding in 2013.

Call Britannia

Series A in 2009
Callbritannia is an outsourced customer call center. It has ten centers across the UK and works with both the public and private sector. It also has a technology partner, Infinity CSS, which offers to optimize call processes and duration, reduce repeat calls, improve call outcome results, achieve significant outbound productivity gains, and simplify compliance and reporting.
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