Firstport Scotland

The Just Enterprise Impact Report 23–25 is out now!

See how fully funded support is strengthening social enterprise across Scotland.
📄 justenterprise.org/wp-content/u...
#JustEnterpriseImpact25 #SocialEnterpriseScotland @socialenterprise.scot @ceisgroup.bsky.social @firstportscotland.bsky.social

Scotland’s social enterprise pipeline is thriving.

Here are 7 stats that show how Just Enterprise Start-Up support is nurturing ambition, inclusion and early-stage impact across the country.

🎥 Watch now! 👇

#JEImpact25 #StartupSupport #SocialEnterpriseScotland @firstportscotland.bsky.social

Ana Stewart’s Pathways Pledge initiative reaches fifth cohort Connect Three, Geovation Scotland and Mint Ventures now among the 32 pledge partners so far

The Pathways Pledge initiative has welcomed its fifth cohort, with the Edinburgh University, BGF, @mintventures.bsky.social and @firstportscotland.bsky.social among those signing up

www.insider.co.uk/news/ana-ste...

The Catalyst Fund: Evolving to Meet New Needs - Firstport Since 2021, the Catalyst Fund has backed ambitious social enterprises to grow, deploying flexible finance to help create social and environmental impact. But the landscape, makeup and needs of social ...

To explore what’s new with the Catalyst Fund and learn more about how it can support you and your social enterprise, click on this link www.firstport.org.uk/news/the-cat...

The Catalyst Fund backs social enterprises with flexible, repayable social investment—helping them grow, innovate and deliver impact. We’re making it more inclusive and accessible than ever.

Click the link in the comments to explore what’s new and see how it could support you.

Farmer Jones Academy CIC secures £575,000 Catalyst Fund investment to develop youth-led innovation campus in Tain - Firstport The campus will tackle rural depopulation and boost local employment through vocational training, sustainable food production, and tourism development

Discover more about the Farmer Jones Training Academy and their journey with Firstport by clicking on this link www.firstport.org.uk/news/farmer-...

Farmer Jones Academy CIC secures £575,000 Catalyst Fund investment to develop youth-led innovation campus in Tain

#socialenterprise #socent #socialinvestment

Are you a social enterprise working on bold ideas that address child poverty, economic inclusion, the climate emergency, and sustainable public services?

With a £50k top grant & two £25k runner-up awards, there’s more support than ever to bring your vision to life.

Energy Training Academy is a great example of a social enterprise supporting Scotland's net zero ambitions by tackling the shortage of skills in heat & renewables technologies.

We're proud to have invested in them through the Catalyst Fund & thank them for hosting us.

Funding from the Social Enterprise Boost Fund has re-opened for applications.

If you are interested in applying, please read the Guidance Notes before completing an application form and we encourage you to tap into the business support and training provided by @PNE

#Darroch Nurseries: Planting the right tree in the right place for the right reasons. - Firstport This case study highlights how Firstport has supported Darroch Nurseries, Scotland's only social enterprise dedicated to growing native, local provenance trees. Through funding and strategic support, ...

Discover more about Darroch Nurseries and their journey with Firstport by clicking on this link www.firstport.org.uk/case-studies...

Darroch Nurseries began with a simple idea: plant the right tree, in the right place, for the right reasons. Now it’s tackling climate change, creating jobs, and growing a greener future.

#socialenterprise #socialimpact

Are you a social entrepreneur in Scotland ready to take your impact to the next level? If you’ve been thinking about social investment but not sure where to start — we’ve got you.

#socialinvestment #socent #socialimpact

#Social Enterprise Boost: BlueJay Wellness CIC - Firstport The Social Enterprise Boost team sat down with Lisa Cryer, the founder of BlueJay Wellness, a social enterprise that aims to empower young people in the North East to improve their mental and physical...

View the full announcement here: www.firstport.org.uk/.../social-e...

The Social Enterprise Boost programme will run from March 2025 - March 2026 across County Durham, South Tyneside, Sunderland and Thanet.

After two fantastic years of supporting impact-driven ventures, Firstport and PNE are back and ready to help even more changemakers in Sunderland and South Tyneside.

Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, we want to hear from you. Let’s grow your social enterprise together.

If you’re thinking about #socialinvestment but not sure how to proceed, our investment experts are here to help point you in the right direction – whether that’s to our investment readiness support programmes, loan products or to other investors and funders.

Get in touch to learn more.

Got questions about funding for social enterprise start ups?

We're hosting a StartIt surgery tomorrow that will answers any questions you have about our StartIt award.

See image for details.
#funding #socialenterprise #socent

#Braw Tea Café: A Kind Kitchen Changing Lives - Firstport This case study highlights Dundee-based Braw Tea Café, which empowers disadvantaged women through training, employment, and community support. Supported by Firstport, it offers a welcoming space for s...

This case study highlights Dundee-based Braw Tea Café, which empowers disadvantaged women through training, employment, and community support. Supported by Firstport, it offers a welcoming space for skill-building and confidence while serving and vegan meals. www.firstport.org.uk/case-studies...

Thank you for sharing, really appreciated. These workshops will tell you everything you need to know about applying for either our start it or build it awards.

@firstportscotland.bsky.social is hosting a series of sessions to help you navigate their #funding criteria

📅'Start It' Workshop: 8 April, 10-11
📅'Build It' Workshops: 10 April, 10-11 | 15 April, 10-11 |
22 April, 10-11

🔗www.firstport.org.uk/category/events/

#startit #buildit #fundingworkshops

Step Up offers 0% interest loans from £5K to £30K to help social enterprises grow. Whether you’re developing new products, expanding services, or scaling up your operations, this funding can support your trading activities and business growth strategies www.firstport.org.uk/news/step-up...

We're hiring 🎉

Are you passionate about supporting social enterprises to grow and make a lasting impact? Do you have a keen eye for financial analysis and investment assessment experience?

Find out more about the role and how to apply by clicking on the link www.firstport.org.uk/meet-the-tea...

Successful business closing in on 25 years on town's High Street AN INDEPENDENT business which has grown into a thriving community hub is celebrating 25 years in Dunbar.

And in community ownership since 2019 - www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/2502077... @democraticfinance.bsky.social

We're hiring.

The Growth Advisor is a brand new role that will provide hands-on, tailored support to a portfolio of organisations scaling up their business operations and social or environmental impact.

Discover more about this role by clicking on this link www.firstport.org.uk/news/growth-...

#Braw Tea Café: A Kind Kitchen Changing Lives - Firstport This case study highlights Dundee-based Braw Tea Café, which empowers disadvantaged women through training, employment, and community support. Supported by Firstport, it offers a welcoming space for s...

Click on this link www.firstport.org.uk/case-studies... and learn more about Braw Tea and their empowering story.

A cup of tea can change a life. Braw Tea Café in Broughty Ferry is giving women skills, confidence, and a fresh start.

Click the link in the comms to read their story.

#EmpoweringWomen #SocialEnterprise #BrawTea

Stirling: Making Friends with Your Finances: A Must for Social Entrepreneurs - Just Enterprise Navigating the financial world can be challenging, but it's essential for the success of your social enterprise. Let's turn those numbers into your new best friends! Our workshop will demystify financ...

To learn more about this event and how to attend click on this link justenterprise.org/events/event...

#businessadvice #businesssupport #finance #stirling

Are you a social entrepreneur navigating the unfamiliar legal landscape of company structures and governance?
Don't let legal hurdles ground your mission.

Join us for our not-to-be-missed Legal Considerations Workshop

#startup #businessadvice #socialenterprise

We're hiring 🎉

Are you passionate about supporting social enterprises to grow and make a lasting impact? Do you have a keen eye for financial analysis and investment assessment experience?

Find out more about the role and how to apply by clicking on the link www.firstport.org.uk/meet-the-tea...

Did you know that 71% of Scotland’s social enterprises are led by women (SE Census 2021)? At Firstport, 63% of our awards go to women-led ventures

Behind these numbers are real stories of passion, and determination—women who are turning ideas into impact & transforming communities across Scotland.