Foundervine is proud to announce that it has been named a finalist in two categories at the UK Social Enterprise Awards - the Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice Award, and the International Impact Award - recognising it as one of the country’s most innovative and impactful businesses.
Social enterprises are mission-led businesses that reinvest or donate at least half their profits for a social or environmental purpose. Foundervine is set up to remove the social and economic barriers that stop talented, diverse founders from starting and scaling businesses, through accelerator programmes, mentorship, training and access to capital for entrepreneurs from underserved communities in the UK and internationally.
These prestigious national awards are run by Social Enterprise UK and Co-operatives UK to recognise sector-leading excellence and innovation across a diverse range of criteria, and Foundervine is shortlisted in two categories: the ‘Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice Award’ and the ‘International Impact Award’.
Regina Antony, Head of Marketing at Foundervine, said: “Being named a finalist in not one but two categories - the Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Justice Award and the International Impact Award - is a brilliant recognition of what our whole team has been building since 2018. Removing the barriers that stop talented founders from underserved communities accessing funding, mentorship and networks has always been at the heart of what we do, and this recognition reflects the impact of that work, both here in the UK and internationally.”
Foundervine will attend a VIP ceremony at New Century Hall in the centre of Manchester’s Co-operative Quarter on Thursday 12th November to find out if they’ve won these highly sought-after awards.
There are more than 100,000 social enterprises in the UK, employing more than two million people and contributing £60bn to the national economy each year, while also tackling some of the biggest challenges facing people and planet.
Peter Holbrook CBE, Chief Executive of Social Enterprise UK, commented: “Businesses usually only make headlines when they’ve been behaving badly or profiting at everyone else’s expense, so every year it’s a joy to celebrate those that are quietly getting on with the job of building a better Britain and providing a practical path to an economy that puts people and planet first.
The UK Social Enterprise Awards celebrate the organisations focused on making communities healthier, happier and more environmentally friendly. They’re an inspiration to anyone looking for examples of ways to do business better.
Rose Marley, CEO of Co-operatives UK, said: “It’s brilliant to see so many outstanding co-operatives on this year’s shortlist, proof of the huge contribution member-owned businesses make to communities right across the country. With our new Co-op of the Year Award, we’re able to shine a spotlight on that impact like never before. And as we prepare to bring the Awards to Manchester’s co-operative quarter, the birthplace of the co-operative movement, it feels only right that we’re celebrating the businesses carrying that legacy forward today.”
Find out more about Foundervine at www.foundervine.com, and find out more about the UK Social Enterprise Awards at www.socialenterprise.org.uk.
Media contact
Regina Antony
Head of Marketing, Foundervine
About Foundervine
Foundervine is a social enterprise on a mission to remove the social and economic barriers to entrepreneurship. Since launching in 2018, Foundervine has delivered accelerator programmes, mentorship and access to capital for diverse-led ventures across the UK and internationally, partnering with organisations including the UK government, Barclays and EY.
About Social Enterprise UK
Social Enterprise UK (SEUK) is the UK membership body for social enterprises.
We lead the world’s largest network of businesses with a social or environmental purpose, working together to create a fairer economy and a more sustainable future for everyone. We exist to be a strong voice for our social enterprise, demonstrating the difference that mission-led businesses are making in the world and influencing decision-makers to create an environment where this way of doing business can thrive.
We campaign on behalf of the social enterprise community, having led public policy for decades and helped to pass the Social Value Act (2012), using the mounting evidence from our comprehensive research to make the case for change. We drive cross-sector collaboration, working with private companies and public institutions to bring social enterprises into their supply chains, helping any organisation to create positive social and environmental impact.
Find out more and join the community at www.socialenterprise.org.uk
About Co-operatives UK
The UK’s authority on co-operatives, Co-operatives UK empowers member-owned business to thrive. We provide expertise across governance, HR, training, and networking to grow the co-operative economy, ensuring every co-operative can build strong, sustainable member ownership.
From football clubs and farms to convenience stores and community hubs, the UK’s 7,000+ co-operatives share our commitment to a fairer society through shared wealth and member control. Through expert advice and support, development and advocacy, we champion co-operatives and co-operation in the UK and internationally through the International Cooperative Alliance. www.uk.coop
