The number of investors and funders assessing the social enterprise market with a view to investing in realistic opportunities is increasing, whilst the challenge for investors and funders is twofold:
Firstly, understanding the social enterprise market and its future potential and, secondly, identifying viable social enterprises in which to invest.
Our Investment Readiness Advisory Service is designed to help enterprises that need to raise finance, become investment ready, whilst in parallel we are able to facilitate qualified referrals that meet the investment criteria of investors and funders.
To successfully raise capital, whether equity, debt or grants, an enterprise must be ’investment-ready’, an enterprise needs to demonstrate a sustainable and viable business model with a clear and viable business proposition, good financial management, effective leadership and management, and a clear and purposeful customer and social/community engagement programme.
Investment readiness support is the first step on the funding journey and although it does not guarantee funding success, it can significantly improve the chances of gaining external investment for an individual entrepreneur or an aspiring enterprise.
We have developed a 5-Step Investment Readiness Programme for individuals and enterprises seeking investment, and participants can join the programme at any time, as appropriate to their needs:
- An educational seminar
- Intensive one-to-one mentoring and coaching
- Training in ” How to Pitch” for finance
- The opportunity to pitch to a panel of grant funders, lenders and investors
- Personal introductions to lenders and investors interested in social investment opportunities
The programme ensures the risks and opportunities of the investment can be fully evaluated by its potential investors, and enables the enterprise to present itself as an attractive and viable proposition for investment.