Big Issue Invest

"Big Issue Invest is the UK's first 'social merchant bank,' by social entrepreneurs, for social entrepreneurs. As a social enterprise ourselves, we understand how good businesses can achieve great things." Nigel Kershaw - Chair, The Big Issue Group Founded in 2005, Big Issue Invest extends The Big Issues mission by financing the growth of sustainab... le social enterprises. Big Issue Invest offers social enterprises, charities and profit-with-purpose businesses loans and investment from £20,000 to £3 million. Since 2005, we have invested in more than 400 social enterprises and charities across the UK. Big Issue Invest currently manages or advises on over £250 million of impact funds, and is creating the UKs first Social Merchant Bank by social entrepreneurs, for social entrepreneurs. We are also bringing the mainstream to social investment with the UK Equity Impact Employment Opportunities Fund, in partnership with Aberdeen Standard Investments, and the UK Social Bond Fund, in partnership with Columbia Threadneedle. The latter is the first social investment fund offering daily liquidity and it has raised £185 million as of January 2020. Through partnering with Experian on The Rental Exchange, Big Issue Invest is also helping to pave the way for 3.4 million social housing tenants to potentially improve their credit files. We provide finance to organisations that create positive social impact. Almost all of our investees are unable to raise mainstream finance. We have made more than 330 since 2005, over 50% of which were into organisations working in the 25% most deprived areas of the UK. 80% of our investees became more financially sustainable as a result of our investment, and more than half were able to hire new staff last year.Read More