Turning ideas into reality

Earlier this year our Beyond Business team, funded by Investec, invited east London entrepreneurs to apply for funding to launch their social enterprise. As we emerge from the pandemic, the team were looking for businesses to make the ‘new normal’ anything but ordinary, and they were not disappointed.

Here are some of the winning social enterprises who will enjoy expert business support, training and mentoring over the next year. Winners also receive funding of up to £20,000 to get their ideas off the ground. We can’t wait to watch these businesses grow while actively improving the lives of people in our communities.

If you feel inspired, applications for the next round of Investec Beyond Business open in March 2022.

Find out more about the programme.

Latest Beyond Business winners

Aberfeldy Boxing Club

Aberfeldy Boxing Club (ABC) is a CIC led by Kirk, Daryl and a team of loyal volunteers that help them run the club. ABC offers classes to people of all ages, as well as disability classes and women only classes. They also run free sessions to local young people during school holidays, and have set up a thriving anti-knife crime initiative, to help tackle the growing levels of knife crime in the city.

Cordwainers Dye

Cordwainers Dye is the UKs first natural dye studio dedicated to emerging socially and sustainably conscious designers. Founder Debbie is passionate about promoting sustainable plant and food waste based dyes for textiles that can be used across the spectrum of design.

InUse

InUse is an eco-friendly design studio that upcycles packaging waste into filaments and offers sustainable 3D print-on-demand services. The business was founded by Samreen and Sharaf, who wanted to work within the community to print products that are socially beneficial and safe for the environment.