Social Investment Scotland and Weber Shandwick join Converge Challenge to support the next generation of social entrepreneurs
Social Investment Scotland (SIS) Scotland’s leading provider of affordable, flexible, repayable investment for social enterprises in partnership with Weber Shandwick, one of the world’s leading global communications and engagement firms, today are joining the prestigious listing of companies working with Converge Challenge 2018.
SIS, in partnership with Weber Shandwick, are providing a prize of £20,000 cash and in-kind business support for the winners to help them become investment ready and develop their brands for success. The benefits include a package of workshops, one-to-one support and mentoring, providing the winners of the 2018 Social Enterprise Award with the right tools and expertise to maximise and sustain social impact.
Thomas Gillan, Social Investment Scotland (SIS) said:
“Social Investment Scotland is proud to be joining Converge Challenge as a strategic partner, a programme which shares our passion for investing expertise and support into the projects and ideas which are making a positive impact to society. It comes as no surprise to me that many of the previous programme’s success stories are high impact enterprises which help and improve the quality of people’s lives.”
Olga Kozlova, Director of Converge Challenge, said:
“It’s vital that charities and social enterprises take an entrepreneurial approach to their businesses and working with Social Investment Scotland (SIS) in partnership with Weber Shandwick is a reminder that many of the finest projects aim to help people, tackle challenges and enrich and progress society. I am pleased that the shortlisted Social Enterprise participants will benefit from a breadth and wealth of experience and skills as part of our programme in May. I’d urge anyone from our Scottish Universities who have an idea or product, at any stage, to enter this year’s challenge.”
Harry Hussain, Managing Director, Client Experience, Weber Shandwick said:
“At Weber Shandwick, we are passionate about the role social enterprise can play in Scotland’s social and economic development. That’s why we were so keen to extend our relationship with SIS and support this year’s Converge Challenge. Working together, we’ll be hoping to unearth the next generation of social entrepreneurs from Scotland’s universities and develop those ideas which have the power to change people’s lives for the better.”
Converge Challenge 2018 is now open for applications until the deadline closing date of Thursday 29 March 2018 at 5.00pm GMT. To enter visit www.convergechallenge.com
The Converge Challenge 2018 categories are:
- Converge: established idea
- KickStart: for early stage ideas
- Social Enterprise: positive impact on social and environmental issues
- Entrepreneurial Spirit Award
