Social investment available from Big Issue Invest

Big Issue Invest (BII) is the social investment arm of The Big Issue aims to help people to help themselves by backing business-like responses helping to dismantle poverty and inequality in the UK.

In June 2012, BIG and TSELF merged to create one of the UK's largest social investment intermediaries, the first merger in the sector between two Community Development Finance Institutions.

BII has raised £15million and invested £20million, largely private capital, supporting over 160 social enterprises creating jobs and improving quality of lives for people in Britain’s poorest communities.

Big Issue Invest is led by social entrepreneurs with first-hand experience of running and growing enterprises in both good and challenging times. As a social enterprise themselves their dividends are reinvested in Big Issue Invest or The Big Issue.
 
They are now looking for enterprises that have a track record and a plan to increase trading income and of course deliver high social impact. Enterprises most suitable for investment will already have a trading history, a plan to increase trading income that will deliver both long-term profitability and social impact.

BII can provide a range of investment, from unsecured loans to equity investment from £50,000 to £1,000,000 and can also work with partner social investors to provide finance above £1million. Finance may be unsecured and repayments may be linked to future income.

For further information in BII visit http://bigissueinvest.com or contact Avril Howker at a.howker@tself.org.uk or telephone 07946 703322.