The Social Enterprise & Business with Impact Blog

Not long left to enter the social enterprise awards!

You’ve gotta be quick - applications for the UK social enterprise awards close on midnight July 14th.

The A-Z of social enterprise terminology

Confused about the world of social enterprise? You’re not alone. Even after you’ve read our guide, you may be still struggling to understand some of the basic phrases and terms.

The freedom to choose: are we happier with more buying options?

Every single day, each and every one of us will make at least one decision, regardless whether that decision is big or small.

Inventshift team expands following accelerator programme

So we have some great news from Inventshift HQ - we got accepted into an accelerator programme!

New app tracks the social impact of your spending

Here at Inventshift, we’re all about being a conscious consumer and encouraging you to #votewithyourwallet, so when we heard about the new app that tracks your social spending, we just had to find out more.

How to Start a Social Enterprise: The definitive guide to starting an impact business (2017)

Are you someone passionate about changing the status quo? Would you like to set up a business that makes money and improves the lives of others?

Improving literacy in rural Bangladesh - Red International

‘The adult literacy rate is about 50% in Bangladesh. Many children do not even start school and for those that do, 50% drop out by class 5’

Helping children in poverty get an education - Children’s Helpers Worldwide

“Children are one of the most vulnerable groups of people in the world and there are so many who do not receive the care they need and deserve” - CH Worldwide

Young social entrepreneurs in London turn to crowdfunding to support their projects

6 social enterprises run by 9 of London’s youth are beginning their individual crowdfunding campaigns after 8 weeks of training delivered to them for free by Business Launchpad and Crowdfund 360.

Need funding? Up to £10,000 available for UK social entrepreneurs

The School of Social Entrepreneurs are offering three levels of free investment to social enterprises. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, they are offering grants of up to £10k. 

Want to create positive impact?  #Votewithyourwallet

More than ever before, it’s important to make a positive impact in the world. Every day, we are bombarded with images of fear and terror from the media, and it can be difficult to imagine that we can make a real change in the world.

Global experts share their social enterprise advice

Looking for advice on how to start your social enterprise? We have gathered practical advice from ten different experienced social entrepreneurs in three different cities from around the globe.

We’re going to Uprise festival!​

On April 20th, Inventshift will be attending UPRISE festival in Amsterdam. It’s the 5th Uprise event, which describes itself as a ‘people first tech festival’. With over 3,000 attendees, 8 stages, 120 exhibiting companies, and 5 ‘afterparties’ , the event promises to be a heady mix of business and pleasure (we can’t wait ;))

The social good innovators saving the world

Inventions are a huge passion for us here at Inventshift, particularly those social inventions that make the world that little bit better.

Fivefold increases in tax breaks for social enterprises

Investing in social enterprises may be a great move, thanks to new tax breaks which come into force in the UK in April 2017. Under the Social Investment Tax Relief scheme, a qualifying social enterprise can currently raise around £293,000.

#SocEnt Spotlight: Fighting Chance

My name is Laura O’Reilly. I am the co-founder and CEO of Fighting Chance. We started  fighting chance in 2011 with the mission to make impact in the disability sector.

Food for thought: socially conscious dining in London

Eating out. There’s so many cafes, bars and restaurants around these days, it’s easy to be spoilt for choice. Choosing where you eat doesn’t have to just be about the food; you can actually use your hard-earned cash to contribute to a better society.

#SocEnt Spotlight: Good Return

Each month we showcase truly inspirational social entrepreneurs and social enterprises that are making a difference in the world. This month we speak to Good Return

Conscious Consuming: 5 reasons you should buy from a social enterprise

We can all appreciate the potential value of buying from a social enterprise or non-profit, but there has yet to be a real sea-change in the consumer consciously and purposefully shifting their spending.

Choosing a name for your social enterprise

Choosing a name for your social enterprise is something you need to think about carefully. Once you’ve decided the name, everything will be built around it - your website, your logo, your content, maybe even your building premises. 

Registering your social enterprise

Believe it or not, there is no legal definition for what constitutes a social enterprise. A social enterprise is defined by its activities, not by its legal structure.

The power of networking to build your social enterprise

Networking is an underutilized skill that many people overlook when working on their business or social enterprise. The power of a strong network is invaluable; it  can attract business effortlessly and allow you to build great connections.

How can I find a job working for a social enterprise?

Social enterprises are fast becoming the new way the world does business. Being a business that is socially and ethically responsible is appealing to a lot of people, and many people now want to develop a career with purpose, as well as profit.

Eight steps to creating an effective content marketing strategy

When it comes to your social enterprise, the online world is one of the most important things to consider. You have thousands, if not millions of potential customers at your fingertips.

Finding a mentor for your business

Do you have a strong vision for where you’d like to be, but  need help in executing it?

Tracking the social impact for your business

When it comes to building a social enterprise, making sure the business is working in the way it should is critical, and it’s all down to measurement.

Why you should turn your business social

Social enterprises and social entrepreneurship are the newest ways of doing business. Doing good for the community and growing a business?

How can I affect the market by consuming differently?

Does it really make any difference if I eat differently, or consume differently?

In some things yes, in some things no.

Finding a not for profit that really does good

Wishing to donate money to a charity, but having your doubts about where that money goes and what is done with it?

Non-profits are making a profit, and its a good thing

Just like with any business, a non-profit has products, customers, sales, costs and profit.

Social enterprise showcase: Kinfolk Cafe - Volunteer run cafe in Melbourne

Kinfolk Café is a high quality volunteer ran cafe in Melbourne CBD, just next to the southern cross station.