Social Investment Pitch and Networking Event

 
29 November, 2:00 – 5:30pm
American Express Community Stadium

Are you a social enterprise in Brighton and Hove looking to pitch to investors?
Do you wish to learn more about development and funding possibilities for your venture?

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Social enterprises will get the chance to pitch to investors and learn about development and funding possibilities under a new Dragons’ Den-style initiative being launched in Brighton and Hove.
The initiative, designed to boost the city’s growing social enterprise sector, is being organised by Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, together with the Ideas Factory, Albion in the Community, CVSF and CAF.

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THE ‘DRAGONS’ DEN’ EVENT

The ‘Dragons’ Den’ – the Social Investment Pitch and Networking Event - will take place on 29th November at the American Express Community Stadium.
As many as 100 participants are expected to take part, with six pre-selected social enterprises bidding for funds from around 30 investors. The event will also include networking opportunities and inspirational talks from speakers including Rodney Schwartz, former Wall Street analyst and Chair of Shelter and founder and current CEO of ClearlySo; Julia Chanteray, social entrepreneur and President of Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce; and Justin Francis of award-winning local social enterprise Responsible Travel.

To attend the event click here: http://www.theideasfactory.com/news-brighton-social-investment-event-2012/

THE COMPETITION TO PITCH

Prior to the event, social enterprises can enter a competition to win one of six slots to pitch to investors on the 29th.
The organising panel will assess all applications, before selecting 10 social enterprises to attend a one-on-one training session on 16th November, where they will receive invaluable feedback on their proposal and information on angel funding and government grants.
These 10 enterprises will then be narrowed down to a final six, who will pitch their proposal in front of a room of social entrepreneurs and angel investors on November 29th.

To enter the competition, e-mail info@theideasfactory.com with the following information:

1. A brief outline (500 words) of your social enterprise
2. The business objectives
3. How your social enterprise is assisting the community
4. The investment required

Entries close at 6pm on Friday 9th November and the organisers will be in touch with the 10 social enterprises to be considered for the pitching stage.

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Remember, we are looking for outstanding social enterprises we believe could make an important contribution to our community.
If you are unsure whether your venture is in fact a social enterprise, please go to the website of Social Enterprise UK, the national body for social enterprise, for a definition - www.socialenterprise.org.uk

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Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:
 “Brighton and Hove’s social enterprises work for the good of society rather than simply for profit, and play an influential role in promoting wellbeing in the city.
"The sector is an incredibly important part of our economy, so I’m delighted to be working with Ideas Factory, Albion in the Community, CVSF and CAF on this Dragons’ Den-style event to help bring in more funding for local projects.
“By giving social enterprises the opportunity to pitch to high value investors and network with others in the sector, I hope we can  raise the profile of Brighton and Hove as a social enterprise hub and help this exciting and dynamic sector to flourish."

Jason Kluver, Managing Director of the Ideas Factory, said his organisation was thrilled to be involved in such a ground breaking event for the city. He said:
“In the absence of bank lending, we have been raising funds for various start-ups around the world for the past three years, but we have never had the opportunity to contribute in such a meaningful way to our own city.”
“This event will highlight some outstanding organisations and individuals, who contribute to Brighton and Hove on a daily basis; and give them the opportunity to secure much needed funding from social entrepreneurs, to enable them to continue their excellent work.”

Alan Sanders, Director of Albion in the Community, said:
"The concept of social enterprise is one that sits proudly in line with the community-minded work we carry out on a daily basis at Albion in the Community. We fully understand the importance of improving the economy through job creation.
“Now we have the opportunity to support individuals and groups with a socially driven focus through a Dragons Den style initiative in the city of Brighton and Hove. Through the expertise and status of Caroline Lucas, the Ideas Factory, CVSF, AITC and CAF, the city will entertain cutting edge concepts via the social enterprises that participate."

Sally Polanski, CVSF Chief Executive, said:
“CVSF is pleased to support this opportunity for social enterprises in the city to realise their creativity and entrepreneurial ambitions.
“This initiative will help community and voluntary organisations access resources and support to achieve even better services for local people and communities in Brighton and Hove.”

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