The Big Society Network

exists to support and develop talent, innovation and enterprise to deliver social impact.

By working with business, philanthropists, charities and social ventures we believe we can unleash the social energy that exists in the UK to help build a better, healthier society.

Distributing Social Energy

Social Enterprise and Innovation Trade Missions

We are creating a programme of trade missions for social enterprises in 2012, working with UKTI and other Government Departments.

The aims of the trade missions are to enable and support expansion and social investment, to enhance the UK’s reputation as a leader in the social entrepreneurship and to engage policy makers.

The UK is seen as a global thought leader and practitioner in social enterprise, innovation and investment, with 1.7m people leading social sector organisations and one in three startups primarily socially motivated [the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor]. Currently there are few globally known social entrepreneurs, and a lack of deal flow and internationally scaled social enterprises.

There is a real opportunity to showcase expertise, grow internationally and attract social investment.

Social Trade Missions

4th March 2012: We will be taking a mission to the USA for social enterprises delivering public services to Washington DC

8th-13th March 2012: Big Society Network, Nexters and Social Innovation in Technology – Mission to SXSWi

In partnership with United Kingdom Trade & Investment

Social Trade Missions planned for Spring / Summer 2012

Hong Kong & Singapore: For organisations that support and finance social enterprise

San Francisco: For social enterprises that help create sustainable communities and tackle climate change

What The Trade Missions Could Include

  • Master classes on doing business in the country of the mission Seminars on specific sectors
  • Opportunities to pitch to social investors & clients
  • Networking events with key people who will help the companies in expanding/seeking investment
  • Meetings with public policy makers

For more information please contact dominic@thebigsociety.co.uk

 


Defining Social Enterprise

Social enterprises are businesses driven by a social or environmental purpose.

Their social purpose is at the very heart of what they do and social entrepreneurs are primarily focused on creating social value. Well known examples of social enterprises include The Big Issue, Jamie Oliver’s restaurant Fifteen and the fair-trade chocolate company Divine Chocolate.

For more information:

Download these slides »

Read Dom’s article in the Guardian »