About Big issue invest
Big Issue Invest: Empowering Sustainable Business Solutions for Real Social Change
Big Issue Invest is a social enterprise that aims to empower sustainable business solutions to deliver real social change. The company was founded in 2005 as the social investment arm of The Big Issue, a magazine that provides employment opportunities for homeless and marginalized individuals. Since then, Big Issue Invest has been providing finance and support to businesses that create positive social impact.
The company's mission is to help build a fairer society by investing in businesses that address some of the most pressing social issues of our time. These include homelessness, poverty, unemployment, and environmental degradation. By supporting these businesses with capital and expertise, Big Issue Invest aims to create sustainable solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
One of the key strengths of Big Issue Invest is its focus on impact measurement. The company uses rigorous metrics to assess the social impact of its investments, ensuring that they are making a real difference in people's lives. This approach has earned it recognition as one of the leading impact investors in Europe.
Big Issue Invest offers a range of financial products designed specifically for socially-driven enterprises. These include loans, equity investments, and quasi-equity instruments such as revenue-based financing. The company also provides business support services such as mentoring and networking opportunities.
One notable example of Big Issue Invest's work is its investment in Blue Patch, an online marketplace for sustainable products made by UK-based artisans and small businesses. Through its investment in Blue Patch, Big Issue Invest helped create jobs for local communities while promoting environmentally-friendly practices.
Another example is its partnership with Resonance Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), which manages several funds focused on creating positive social outcomes through investment activities across various sectors including health & wellbeing; education & skills; environment & sustainability; housing & community development; arts & culture; food & agriculture among others.
In addition to providing finance and support services directly to businesses, Big Issue Invest also works with other organizations to promote social enterprise and impact investing. For example, it is a founding member of the Social Investment Forum, a network of UK-based organizations that advocate for social investment.
Overall, Big Issue Invest is an innovative and impactful organization that is helping to build a more sustainable and equitable society. Its focus on impact measurement, financial products tailored to socially-driven enterprises, and partnerships with other organizations make it a leader in the field of impact investing. By empowering sustainable business solutions to deliver real social change, Big Issue Invest is making a positive difference in people's lives while promoting environmental sustainability.