SEVEN start-ups are preparing to take part in a Scottish social enterprise accelerator.
The start-ups selected for LaunchMe include a skin and healthcare products company; a gardening service; a community cafe and catering company; a photography agency; a walking tour company; a cleaning agency and a community centre in Argyll & Bute.
Delivered by Firstport – a Scottish social enterprise start-up agency – LaunchMe supports ambitious social enterprises to achieve scale, by getting them investment ready and directly connecting them with investors.
In addition to initial seed funding, selected participants have the opportunity to apply for grant funding as co-investment to match any private investment they secure during the programme.
LaunchMe is supported by the Scottish Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Barclays bank.
One of the businesses taking part is Well-Fed – a social enterprise based in Whiteinch in the west of Glasgow, led by social entrepreneurs Chris Gray and Claire Lilley. It operates a community cafe, takeaway, home delivery service, and a commercial catering service.
Based in one of the most deprived areas in Scotland, Well-Fed is tackling food poverty and social isolation.
It is seeking to raise £400,000 in combined investment and funding for a second site in Parkhead.
Gray said: “Gaining a place on LaunchMe and being in the process of opening a second site in Parkhead, we are gearing ourselves up towards growth and replicating our success within Parkhead and beyond.”
Previous LaunchMe participants include well-known social enterprises such as Locavore – Scotland’s first social enterprise supermarket, retailer the Scottish Design Exchange and sandwich-shop chain Social Bite.
Josiah Lockhart, chief executive of Firstport, said: “We are delighted to announce the latest LaunchMe cohort today.
“The seven selected enterprises have been working hard over the last few months to prove they have what it takes to realise their commercial and social impact potential. In the coming months, we will support them to get investment ready and connect them with our pool of social investors, so they can gain the capital they need to achieve their plans.
“LaunchMe has already helped secure over £1 million from private investors and the interest in this type of investment continues to rise. We cannot wait to see what these participants go on to achieve!”
Aileen Campbell, Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, said: “Our partnership with Firstport provides economic benefit through start-up social enterprises, and also a sense of pride and place for local communities. Social entrepreneurs, such as the seven participating in the next LaunchMe programme, are essential to building more resilient, connected communities where people can feel valued.
“We will continue to support and encourage this vital lifeline to some of the most vulnerable in society – transforming lives and helping people reach their potential.”
Stuart Brown, head of SME Scotland at Barclays, said: “LaunchMe provides a fantastic opportunity for social enterprises to get the support they need to grow and develop, and we’re excited to help them along the journey.
“Entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the success of the Scottish economy and our involvement with the LaunchMe programme reflects the ongoing commitment from Barclays,” he added.
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