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CAF Venturesome

SUPPORTING SMALL SOCIAL ENTERPRISES

A package of interest free finance and local mentor support to help you grow

About SE-Assist
What we offer
Can we help you?
Case studies
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SE-ASSIST FUND

The SE-Assist Wales Fund offers blended finance packages (part 0% loan / part grant) which can be used to help you grow, become more sustainable or increase your business capacity. It also offers expert mentoring to focus your direction and growth plans.

SE-Assist is for social enterprises, as well as entrepreneurial charities, meeting a local social or environmental need.

SE-Assist Wales is managed by CAF Venturesome, Legal & General and the Wales Co-operative Centre, with support from Welsh Government, Business in the Community and the Institute of Directors.

The SE-Assist Wales Fund has now closed for 2021. If you would still like to apply for social investment, please see our Development Fund.

Expert advice

Our mentors are on hand to share their experience and support to guide you and keep you motivated.

A REVIEW OF THE SE-ASSIST FUND

In late 2018 CAF Venturesome undertook a review of SE-Assist with the aim of sharing key learnings of how the fund has supported early stage social enterprises and charities across Greater Brighton/Sussex, Croydon and Wales since 2012.

We're pleased to be able to share this with you.

Download your copy

WHAT WE OFFER

Successful applicants will receive a package of support including:

A blended finance package of an interest free loan up to £20,000 (with the potential to borrow more at 6.5%) with a grant of up to £10,000 alongside it.
Support to improve financial management
Optional access to expert business mentoring support
Optional access to a range of expert support for organisational development
Networking with other ambitious local social enterprises

Even the process of application itself can be beneficial, helping you evaluate your current position with feedback from funders. Past investees are very positive about the process and support they receive throughout, finding it helpful for developing a robust business plan, which is crucial to the longevity and resilience of their enterprises.

“We are very grateful to SE-Assist Wales Fund for providing loan finance during a very challenging period. We have used the funds productively to improve our commercial sustainability and maintain and enhance our community impact. The application process was rigorous but SE- Assist provided us with excellent guidance at each stage of the process.”

Tom Whyatt MBE - Chair, Llanhilleth Miners Institute

CAN WE HELP YOU?

You must be based in Wales
Have, or be working towards, a sustainable business model evidenced by trading and/or funds raised
Have a social impact that addresses a local social or environmental need
Have a turnover less than £500,000 per annum
SE-Assist uses charitable funds to invest in social enterprises. All social enterprises with legal structures other than registered charities can still apply but will be subject to CAF Venturesome’s charitable validation process.

HOW TO APPLY

The SE-Assist Wales Fund has now closed for 2021 and we are busy working with the Wales Co-operative Centre to assess applications.

If you have applied, we will be in touch by 20th August to let you know if you have been shortlisted to be presented to our Social Investment Committee on 7^th September.

Thank you for all your interest.

SE-ASSIST IN ACTION

Elite Paper Solutions

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£30,000 interest free unsecured loan

Social investment providing jobs for the long-term unemployed

Read how Elite have created 34 permanent jobs

Empower - Be the Change

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£30,000 interest free unsecured loan

Training in social skills builds confidence and leads to employment

Want to know more?

TALK TO US TODAY

Contact our expert team for an initial chat about social investment through CAF Venturesome.

Get in touch now