
Supporting extraordinary entrepreneurs
Our social enterprise incubator
Investec was built in the spirit of entrepreneurship, and we’re proud to support budding entrepreneurs who want to make a sustainable, positive impact in the local community. We do this through the award-winning Investec Beyond Business programme.
Investec Beyond Business
Every year, successful candidates receive intensive support in business planning as well as training and expert advice through the Investec Beyond Business College, which is run by volunteers from across Investec. These entrepreneurs also receive funding of up to £20,000 each to launch their new enterprises.
300+
jobs created
£5m
collective turnover
60%
female leadership
The success rate of these social enterprises is high: 82% are still operating after three years. The national average success rate for new businesses is 50%.
Investec also launched four additional successful businesses between 2008 and 2011, when we were a junior partner in the programme.
Awards

Investec was crowned Business of the Year at the Business Charity Awards, as well as winning the award for Community Impact.

Winner of Business in the Community's Experian Building Stronger Communities Award for Investec Beyond Business.

The Bromley by Bow Centre won the Lord Mayor's Dragon Award for its partnership with Investec on City Giving Day in 2017.
In their words
Investec Beyond Business entrepreneurs share their inspiring stories and community impact.
Ruth Rogers, founder of The Canvas Cafe
Ruth discusses where her idea for The Canvas Cafe came from and her journey to launching it through the Investec Beyond Business programme.
Ruth Rogers, founder of The Canvas Cafe
Ruth discusses where her idea for The Canvas Cafe came from and her journey to launching it through the Investec Beyond Business programme.
Elroy Powell, founder of Diverse Music Solutions
Elroy ‘Spoonface’ Powell talks about his social enterprise: “One agency, one project, one song, feed a hundred smiling children. It’s that simple”.
Do you have an idea for a new social enterprise?
Project grants for charities
Get in touch
You may also be interested in:

Our education programme
We aim to help young people in communities local to our offices to achieve their goals in life, beyond academic study.

Environmental initiatives
Learn more about Investec's work to reduce our environmental footprint, promote preservation and improve our local communities’ environment.

Our community work in South Africa
We strive to create economically active citizens that contribute to socio-economic growth in South Africa.