Funding scheme for new businesses with social value

Entrepreneurs with a business idea that has social value can apply to take part in the 12 week Village Capital London scheme to help them develop their project. For 12 weeks they will attend workshops on funding and marketing to help develop their idea and will be mentored and coached by advisors. At the end of the scheme the two most promising entrepreneurs will be chosen and £50,000 will be invested in their project. This investment is a convertible loan to be repaid or may be converted into equity in the future.

The ideal enterprise for this program would have a business model that fits the following criteria:

1. For-profit, seed stage, with potential for raising a Series A equity round within 18 months

2. A business that has positive social impact as a core business function. Examples include:

• Low-cost goods/services for base-of-the-pyramid customers in emerging markets
• Fair-trade certified products that generate livelihoods in low-income areas
• Affordable housing
• Environmentally sustainable businesses, including low-carbon products and clean technology

Requirements:

  you must be a founder or permanent employee of a for profit social business (only 1 team member can participate)

  you are able to be London for 12 weeks starting in September

  your business is a legal entity and beyond the idea stage

  you have a clear goal of creating social impact

  your business requires at least £200k of funding in the next 18 months

For more information see:

http://www.vilcap.com/village-capital-london-call-for-entrepreneurs

 http://hubwestminster.net/hubventurelabs

Or email: Stephen Rockman at stephen@merismcapital.com or Ross Baird at rbaird@grayghostventures.com