Nesta invest in social ventures with innovative products or services that are addressing some of the UK’s most pressing challenges.
In particular, Nesta are seeking innovations that have a positive impact on:
• the health and wellbeing of an ageing population;
• the educational attainment and employability of children and young people; and
• the social and environmental sustainability of communities.
Nesta are looking for organisations that have high potential social impact that can be evidenced, and a financially viable business model capable of producing a return on their investment.
Nesta Impact Investments makes medium term equity, quasi-equity and debt investments of between £150k and £1m in early-stage ventures based in, and supplying their products and services in, the UK.
Nesta are looking to make investments in ventures:
• whose products and services have positive impact on one or more of the Fund’s Target outcomes;
• where innovation and often technology are at the core of the product/service;
• with strong business models that are able to generate reasonable, sustainable returns on capital;
• that are achieving, or have the potential to achieve, impact and public benefit in the UK by providing products or services that are inclusive, accessible and affordable;
• that can provide increasing depth and strength of evidence of their contribution to the Fund’s Target Outcomes and who rigorously measure their on-going performance;
• whose approach is scalable to meet a significant proportion of the need they address; and
• with a strong management team, capable of delivering on ambitious plans.
If you have a social venture that meets the investment criteria you can email Nesta at: impactinvesting@nesta.org.uk with some information on:
• your venture
• the product/service you seek to provide
• the team
• your finance requirements
• contact details
Detailed proposals are welcome and email enquiries are responded to within ten working days