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Investec Beyond Business

Our social enterprise incubator

Applications for 2026 are now closed.

Ruth Leas, Investec CEO, visiting the Investec Beyond Business programme in Hackney

Investec is built on the spirit of entrepreneurship and creating enduring worth. That is why we’re proud to support entrepreneurs who want to make a positive impact in the local community by building sustainable businesses.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, at the start of 2024, there were 5.45 million small businesses in the UK, which accounted for 99.8% of the business population. Social enterprises are a small percentage of that ecosystem, but they have an important role to play. They can provide financial independence, improve lives and have a positive impact in local communities.

  
 

Our award-winning Investec Beyond Business programme provides mentorship and capital to founder-led social enterprises.
 
The programme, which operates in East London, is run in partnership with the Bromley by Bow Centre. In 2026, the partnership was recognised at the Better Society Awards, winning Best Local Partnership with a Charity.
Our award-winning Investec Beyond Business programme provides mentorship and capital to founder-led social enterprises.
 
The programme, which operates in East London, is run in partnership with the Bromley by Bow Centre. In 2026, the partnership was recognised at the Better Society Awards, winning Best Local Partnership with a Charity.

  
 

Each year the programme identifies up to five new social enterprises and provides them with an ongoing business support package and funding of up to £24,000. These enterprises tackle a variety of social issues, including youth unemployment, social exclusion, community cohesion, homelessness, mental health, rehabilitation of ex-offenders and food poverty. We also look to encourage engagement from under-represented groups such as women and ethnic minority applicants.
 

The entrepreneurs receive intensive support, including training and expert advice from volunteers from across Investec.

Since 2011 Investec has committed over £1m to the programme, which has launched 72 social enterprises*, many of them female-led.

The success rate of these social enterprises is impressive: they have generated a combined turnover of circa £10m* and created over 430 jobs*.

* Data provided by Bromley by Bow Centre

Many entrepreneurs apply to join the programme each year, with a record 148 applications received in 2025. Following an initial interview, a shortlist is invited to pitch their business ideas to the judging panel. After careful consideration, the panel selects the ventures that will receive funding and ongoing support.

Last year's judging panel comprised Ruth Leas, CEO of Investec Bank plc; Dr Marc Kahn, Group Strategy and Sustainability Officer; Deborah Sayagh, Head of Strategic Client Relationships; David Schluter of Fluid IT; and former Beyond Business winner, Eve Wagg, founder of Well Grounded.




Supporting entrepreneurs at every stage

Investec Beyond Business supports social entrepreneurs throughout their journey – from helping aspiring founders turn ideas into viable ventures, to backing established enterprises as they grow their impact.

Ignite Impact

Turning community ideas into sustainable enterprises 

Ignite Impact is the foundation programme within Investec Beyond Business, supporting community leaders with promising ideas to tackle social challenges. Through workshops, one-to-one mentoring and peer support, participants build the skills, confidence and business foundations needed to turn community projects into sustainable social enterprises. It creates a pipeline of purpose-driven founders ready to progress in to formal enterprise support and scale their impact. 

Investec Beyond Business Alumni Growth Fund

Helping proven social enterprises scale their impact

The Investec Beyond Business Alumni Growth Fund provides additional financial support to programme winners to fuel growth by building on their achievements to date. Social entrepreneurs who have previously received IBB capital and support, and have been trading for at least two years, are eligible to apply for up to £60,000 in investment.

Launched in 2026, the Fund made its first award to Well Grounded, a social enterprise supported by Investec since 2015. The funding will help expand its model and support its ambition to create 10,000 career opportunities in the coffee sector over the next decade.

 


Investec Beyond Business winners 2025
Bamboo Bicycle Club logo

Bamboo Bicycle Club reconnects excluded learners with education by delivering hands-on, industry-relevant, accredited programmes in sustainable design and mobility to open pathways into further study, employment or enterprise.

 

Feeling social logo

Feeling Social’s young and engaging team of experts provide flexible in-person and online mental health first aid training to help organisations build a happier, healthier and more productive workforce.

 

Round Retail logo

Round Retail sells quality, pre-loved, mid-luxury branded items online and at pop-up stores. By extending the life of clothing through resale, the business gives sellers one third of the sale price, with the remaining proceeds helping to fund local charities and support the business's expansion.

Trailfam logo

TrailFam aims to improve the lives of young people across the UK through trail running. Its programmes foster a love of movement while building a community of young people ready to connect with each other and the outdoors.

 

Ruth Leas, CEO of Investec Bank plc
Ruth Leas, CEO of Investec Bank plc

This programme is not only about funding promising initiatives; it’s also about providing visionary entrepreneurs with the tools to build a resilient, competitive and innovative social enterprise that is well positioned to make a positive mark on society. It’s a perfect example that demonstrates that the more you give, the more you get back.

What the winners had to say

James Marr, Bamboo Bicycle Club
James Marr - Bamboo Bicycle Club

“We are thrilled to be an Investec Beyond Business winner. This funding will significantly help Bamboo Bicycle Club scale our hands-on learning programmes that transform lives through building sustainable bamboo bicycles. The funding and mentoring support offered by Investec will allow us to expand and scale, train instructors, and reach underserved communities including young people and individuals in the justice system. This gives us a powerful opportunity to prove that practical STEM skills can rebuild confidence, strengthen family connections, and create pathways to employment for those who need it most."

 

Ben Anderson, Feeling Social
Ben Anderson - Feeling Social

“We are delighted to win the Investec Beyond Business grant. This support means Feeling Social can train and equip more youth practitioners with the tools to have meaningful conversations about digital, social media and mental health. Youth practitioners are on the frontline with young people every day, and this funding ensures they feel confident guiding those conversations in a way that supports resilience and wellbeing."

Annie Hought, Round Retail
Annie Hought - Round Retail

“We’re thrilled to be recognised by Investec Beyond Business. The support not only financially, but from the mentors and programme leaders has been invaluable. The process has shown us that fashion can be a force for good and our model is one we can work to scale. With our first permanent Round Retail store, we’ll be able to keep clothes in circulation longer, fund charity and community projects, and prove that purpose-driven retail deserves a place on every high street. It will also allow us to grow our community, create meaningful jobs, and offer a space where sustainability, style, and social impact come together. We’re so proud to be part of the Investec Beyond Business alumni and can't wait to continue our partnership in the years to come."

Danny Stokes, TrailFam
Danny Stokes - TrailFam

“Moments in a young person's life can have a profound effect on their future. In a world where young people are feeling increasingly isolated and cut off from the world, our work has already provided young people with positive, life affirming moments, connection and space to carve a bright future for themselves. Now, with Investec, we will open the outdoors and the many benefits of the sport of trail running to many more young people! Every young person deserves the right to access nature and the outdoors. Thanks to Investec and TrailFam, every young person will one day get that chance."

 

Investec Beyond Business Alumni

Investec Beyond Business Alumni event 2025

Investec Beyond Business Alumni is a community which brings previous programme winners together to stay connected and support each other. It’s a place to ask questions, offer advice and learn from other social entrepreneurs who understand the journey.


 

Razia Nizamuddin, Investee Beyond Business Programme Lead
Razia Nizamuddin, Investec Beyond Business Programme Lead

The Investec Beyond Business Alumni is a forum for all former winners of the programme to connect with other alumni and build a network that may just make your journey as a social entrepreneur a little less onerous and a good deal more inspiring.

Meet our programme alumni
Investec Beyond Business Winners - 2024
 
Hackney Wolves Basketball
Hackney Wolves Basketball Club

Hackney Wolves Basketball Club is a community-driven club dedicated to fostering a passion for basketball, boosting participation and providing an inclusive environment for all children to excel. Founded by Nestor Diaz, it offers a holistic coaching approach for children from 5 to 18 to build on-court ability and develop off-court life skills.

Nestor Diaz, Founder, Hackney Wolves Basketball

“This will help Hackney Wolves Basketball CIC to not only expand our programs but also give more young people high-quality sports training, mentoring, and a nurturing environment for personal growth. This funding will create more opportunities for disadvantaged youth, offering them a positive space to thrive both on and off the court. The impact on our community will be long-lasting, and we are excited to continue working with Investec to drive this change.”

- Nestor Diaz, Founder, Hackney Wolves Basketball

 

Good Nugget
Good Nugget

Good Nugget, which was founded by Leo Young, is focused on bridging the gap between emerging talent and forward-thinking companies in the branding and marketing industry by championing people of colour. It provides mentoring, training and tailored strategies to empower young creatives to thrive and help businesses build inclusive, dynamic teams.

Leo Young, Founder, Good Nugget

“As someone who grew up feeling like I didn’t fit in, I know firsthand how valuable support can be. This funding brings us one step closer to ensuring that our vibrant UK creative industry is one where diverse voices are truly celebrated. This funding will enable Good Nugget to open more doors for young talent and provide the mentorship I wish I had when I was starting out."

- Leo Young, Founder, Good Nugget

The Matchbox
The Matchbox

Will Redgrove founded The Matchbox to connect artists with communities by painting walls together. It facilitates the design and creation of public art by running workshops that engage, involve and guide communities through every stage of the creative process, giving people from hard-to-reach communities a voice in shaping the artwork and helping to foster community cohesion.

Will Redgrove, Founder, The Matchbox

“This funding will enable The Matchbox to accelerate our ambition to bring collaborative and radical change to the industry. It will create more opportunities for artists, platform more amazing communities and paint more walls with beautiful and colourful art.”

- Will Redgrove, Founder, The Matchbox

 

Empower Box
Empower Box

Empower Box, which was founded by Valerian Spicer and Bremila Thavarajah, aims to improve outcomes for disadvantaged, hard-to-reach and underrepresented groups – with a particular focus on girls and those with ADHD - by developing the mental resilience, confidence, leadership and life skills of secondary school students in schools through boxing.

Valerian Spicer, Co-Founder, Empower Box

“We are thrilled to be an IBB winner. This will significantly help Empower Box deliver transformative boxing interventions to improve the mental health of disadvantaged pupils in schools and the wider community. The funding and mentoring support offered by Investec will allow us to buy equipment, market our interventions and launch our services into schools and youth centres. It will also help us to launch and deliver empowering workshops to women and girls. IBB gives us a powerful opportunity to launch our social enterprise to the next level.”

- Valerian Spicer, Co-Founder, Empower Box

 



More Entrepreneurship Partners and Programmes

 

London

Bromley by Bow Centre

Our partnership with the Bromley by Bow Centre extends beyond the Investec Beyond Business programme. We support their wider community work through ongoing collaboration with their social care team.  
Our partnership with the Bromley by Bow Centre extends beyond the Investec Beyond Business programme. We support their wider community work through ongoing collaboration with their social care team.  
Our people contribute through volunteering initiatives, including maintaining Bob’s Park and supporting community events, helping to strengthen local wellbeing and social connection in East London.

London

We Speak

We Speak is part of the Investec Beyond Business alumni, having been a programme winner in 2019, and has since become a valued community partner delivering volunteering opportunities for our people.
We Speak is part of the Investec Beyond Business alumni, having been a programme winner in 2019, and has since become a valued community partner delivering volunteering opportunities for our people. Through a structured four-week programme, We Speak supports young people from underrepresented backgrounds to build confidence in public speaking. Investec volunteers take part as mentors and coaches, helping participants develop their voice, communication skills and confidence.
Hear from a We Speak mentee:                                   "Thank you for the opportunity to join this programme, I loved every minute of it! It has significantly improved my confidence and communication skills. My Investec mentors used a very encouraging approach, and provided personalised feedback and useful advice. I now feel confident about getting a job I enjoy because I’ve improved my communication skills, gained valuable experience, and have a clearer direction in my career.”  - Student, Spring 2026

London

Wild Mosaic

Wild Mosaic was selected as a winner of the Investec Beyond Business programme in 2023, supporting its mission to scale rewilding and nature restoration across the UK.
Wild Mosaic was selected as a winner of the Investec Beyond Business programme in 2023, supporting its mission to scale rewilding and nature restoration across the UK. Through the programme, Wild Mosaic received funding, strategic support and access to Investec’s network, helping accelerate its growth and impact.
The business continues to enable individuals and organisations to play an active role in restoring nature. As part of this partnership, Investec's UK Sustainability team has adopted a piece of land for rewilding, contributing directly to biodiversity restoration and long-term environmental outcomes.

 

 

Investec Group Integrated Sustainability Report 2026

Learn more about our commitment to sustainability in the past financial year.

Do you have an idea for a new social enterprise?


  

Project grants for charities

We support small and medium-sized charities through grants for specific projects. In the last financial year 2024/25, we allocated £68,322 to 20 charities for initiatives supporting their local communities. These projects included empowering young people to secure long-term employment and implementing financial education programs in primary schools. If you represent a charity that falls under our focus areas – education, entrepreneurship, and/or environment - and are local to one of our UK offices, you may be eligible to apply for a grant. Please read the full criteria below to find out more and get in touch.

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