BIC Social Enterprise
Innovate for Good - Sunderland
Whether you’re running an established social enterprise or cooperative, you hope to set one up, or you’re still in the dream stage, we’re here for you with free, expert support to help you get started or scale and grow.
No matter how basic you think your questions are, or how complex your organisation’s needs, our team is here to support you with everything from free expert business and financial advice to attracting funding, legal structures, and developing your services.
Which means you get to get on with what you do best – being in business for good.
The BIC has been a social enterprise for nearly 30 years, which means we know exactly what’s keeping you awake at night.
That’s why our support is tailored to your needs, as follows:
The project
- Opening up social enterprise for all in Sunderland
- Help for all, from start-ups to long-established businesses and cooperatives.
- Helping Sunderland’s growing social enterprise and cooperative sector make change happen.
- Creating a sustainable and resilient social economy in Sunderland
You qualify for free support if
- You live in Sunderland and you’re setting up a social enterprise
- You’re developing and growing an existing social enterprise or cooperative in Sunderland
- You’re a voluntary and community organisation in Sunderland which wants to become more sustainable and resilient, say by developing a new service or creating an investment plan.
What's on offer?
Support and guidance
Incubator
Speak to one of our advisers
Free, expert support for new social enterprises in Tyne & Wear, Durham and Northumberland.
Innovate for Good Incubator
1 to 1 advice
Advice and coaching with expert
social enterprise advisers.
Networking
Networking and peer-to-peer
support.
Workshops
Practical skills in business planning,
design thinking, and much more.
Experienced entrepreneurs
Providing a sounding board for
new ideas.
Team challenges
Harness the power of collective
thinking to address local issues.
BICCoworking
6-month membership at the BIC
in Sunderland.
Starting your Social Enterprise
Social enterprises usually begin with a dream which turns into a passion to make change for good. Many social entrepreneurs don’t even think of themselves as being in business; they’re just out to make the world a better place.
Which is where we come in… our dedicated advisers guide you with everything from business and financial advice to funding, legal status and developing your services.
We work with people like you every day, so whether you’re just starting out with the gem of an idea, or you’ve already developed a business plan, we’re with you at every step, helping you to make the difference you dream of.
“Our adviser was instrumental in the set-up of our business and he continues to be extremely supportive.”
Growing your Social Enterprise
Yes, it’s challenging out there; and we’re working across Sunderland now to re-invigorate social enterprises and cooperatives post-pandemic.
We can help you to scale and grow your enterprise, advising and guiding you through potential headaches like securing grants, diversifying, business growth planning, financial planning and more.
Which means you get to get on with what you do best – being in business for good.
Voluntary and Community Organisations
Voluntary and community organisations know all about public sector cutbacks, reduced capacity, lack of resources and business expertise, which is where we come in.
Our advisers are specialists in supporting you to overcome these challenges and more, helping your organisation to become more sustainable and resilient by diversifying, increasing trading income and reducing reliance on grant funding. Which means you can get on with the important stuff, like changing the world.
In business for good...
Speak to one of our advisers
Free, expert support for new social enterprises in Tyne & Wear, Durham and Northumberland.