Providing Finance

We are one of the UK’s leading providers of finance to social enterprises, charities and businesses that are socially-driven.

We can provide from £50,000 to £1 million in the form of loans, participation loans (where repayment is linked to the future performance of the enterprise) and equity. We do not provide grants.

Our investments are focused on what we call ‘transformational social enterprises’, such as Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, 4Children, Cool2Care, Barnardos, HCT, Pathfinder Healthcare Developments, SCA Healthcare, Turning Point, and War Child. See profiles of some of our Investments.

Call us on 020 7526 3431 or email mayhul@bigissueinvest.com if you would like to discuss your requirements and suitability for investment.

Our finance may be used for:
• Working capital
• Property purchase or renovation
• Equipment and other capital expenditure
• Growth or acquisition

Please note that we do not provide grant funding. We will syndicate with other social investors for investments over £1 million.

To be eligible for investment you will need to be serving a disadvantaged population with a focus on at least one of the following:
• Jobs, Education and Training
• Health and Social Care
• Social and Financial Inclusion
• Community Development
• Community-driven Environmental Initiatives

You will need to be able to demonstrate:
• A clear social mission with significant measurable, direct outcomes
• Strong management with proven capability to deliver
• Good corporate governance
• Operating for at least 24 months (newer businesses are considered on a case-by-case basis)
• A history of positive cash generation from trading or a clear near-term path to surplus cash generation
• Robust business plan and financial projections
• Operations based in the UK (social enterprises with head office in the UK but operations overseas are considered on a case-by-case basis)

If you think the above applies to you, please complete and send us by email or post the application form below.