Ella Wiggans

Investec Beyond Business is on the search for budding entrepreneurs with business ideas that are both profit-making and deliver social or environmental outcomes. 

Shortlisted applicants are invited to pitch their business ideas in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel. Each winner is provided with up to £24k of investment funding and expert business support to help create a sustainable business. 

The year-long programme is an opportunity to turn an idea into a fully formed business, with successful founders receiving strategic and business planning guidance, training and mentoring with access to an alumni network as well as the start up funding.

To be eligible for the programme, Investec Beyond Business is looking for businesses with a clear social purpose, such as employment for people experiencing barriers to work, youth training, healthy living and local environmental improvements. The business must be under one year old, or even at the idea stage, but at least one founder must live in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest or Islington.

Applicants need to complete the registration form by 5pm on Tuesday 2nd April 2024.

For more details of the programme, visit the website or contact Kim Hayman: kim.hayman@bbbc.org.uk.

Based at the Bromley by Bow Centre in Tower Hamlets, Investec Beyond Business is an award-winning support programme for emerging social enterprises in east London. 

Since Investec became the sole funder of the programme in 2011, 60 new social enterprises have been established, 80% of which are still in business. More than 375 jobs have been created in east London and a combined turnover of £6m has been generated. 

Photo: Investec