Big Issue Invest

This month, we say a heartfelt thank you to Sandeep Sachdeva, who is stepping down from our board after 10 years of passion, challenge, and unwavering support. Sandeep, CEO and co-founder of Safe in India Foundation, leaves us to focus full-time on driving their vital mission. Reflecting on his time with BII, Sandeep said: “It’s been a meaningful journey. I’ve learned a lot, hopefully contributed a little, and made lifelong friends. Grateful for the chance to be part of something that backs people building a fairer world. Always cheering you on.” We’re hugely grateful to Sandeep for the role he’s played in shaping Big Issue Invest over the past decade. His contribution will be deeply missed. At Big Issue Invest, we’re proud to be supported by a group of dedicated non-executive directors and advisors who generously give their time to help us back people and organisations working to end poverty and inequality. We’re lucky to continue working with a brilliant, engaged, and values-led board of directors, bench of advisors, and committee members. Special thanks to John Gilligan, Sara Redford, Martin Allen Morales, Lawrence Gosling. Shaheen Verjee, CFA, Tim Farazmand, and Roger Hooley for your continued belief in what we do and the people we back.

“They will not define our place in the world.” That’s what Kim McGuinness said after last summer’s riots.   Only a few months later, together with The North East Combined Authority, Big Issue Invest launched a £1 million fund to back grassroots projects in the North East. Helping communities take control of their futures. One of them was Keep Active CIC, supporting young people and adults to build confidence through sport, dance, cooking and creativity. 📰 Read the full story in this week’s Big Issue magazine. 📩 Got a project doing good? Or want to work with us? Drop us a message.

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 – 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 We invest in organisations working to end poverty and inequality. And we’re looking for someone to help us do just that in the West Midlands. Big Issue Invest is on the lookout for a brilliant relationship-builder with strong financial skills, deep local knowledge, and a passion for social justice. You’ll be our regional lead — finding and supporting impactful organisations, and helping us bring more investment into the region. You’ll be part of a mission-led, nationwide team using finance as a force for good. 💼 £50–55k salary 📍 Remote with West Midlands travel 📅 Apply by 29 August Sound like you or someone you know? Find out more and apply - see comments ⬇️

Struggling to secure funding? You’re not alone. Varaidzo Tendai Moyo, founder of Ruka Hair, one of the brilliant organisations we backed this year, shares her story of facing barriers to finance, and how they broke through. With the right backing, Ruka has been able to: ✅ File a patent ✅ Grow their team ✅ Win a global beauty award If you’re a founder creating social impact but struggling to access finance to grow, DM us today. We may be able to help. Discover Tendai’s funding journey 🔽

Phase 1 of North East investment – and what an impact it’s made! ✅ £1.1m deployed ✅ 7 incredible social purpose organisations supported ✅ Lives changed and communities strengthened across the North East of England. As we work towards the end of phase 1 (December 2025), we're now shaping phase 2 (to begin in January 2026) to bring even more money to social purpose organisations in the region. A huge thank you to everyone involved in shaping phase 2 at this week’s event, including: The North East Combined Authority, Durham County Council, NEL Fund Managers Limited, Pathways Funding, Gateshead Council, Social Investment Business Group, Bus Industry Confederation, Behind The Curtain CIC, WE ARE UMi, FIRST, Nucha, A New Leaf on Life. And congratulations to the brilliant organisations we’ve supported so far: Ushaw: Historic House, Chapels and Gardens, The Lubber Fiend, Handcrafted, Linkskill Academy, NTC TOURING THEATRE COMPANY LTD, Liberdade Community Development Trust and Road to Recovery. 📩 Interested in funding or want to collaborate? Send us a message, or go direct to Investment Managers Michael Burns and Richard Wills.

🎙️ 𝐀 𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Gaydio isn’t just broadcasting. They’re bringing change. They amplify LGBTQ+ voices. They connect people across the UK. They back LGBTQ+ careers in media. 🏳️🌈 With over 500,000 listeners every week and a growing digital presence, Gaydio is one of the most powerful platforms for LGBTQ+ culture and community in the UK. Through the Gaydio Academy, they’ve helped hundreds of people build skills, confidence and creative careers. Big Issue Invest has backed Gaydio with £75,000 of blended finance to support the development of new studios, upgrade equipment, and their next phase of growth. “What we really appreciated about Big Issue Invest was their understanding of the social impact we’re trying to create, and their flexible, human approach throughout the process.” Ian Wallace, Director, Gaydio Because this isn’t just radio. It’s representation, community, and opportunity.

Good news for social impact. Last week, the government announced a new £500m Better Futures Fund, designed to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. As co-creators of the Chances programme under the previous Life Chances Fund, we know how powerful this kind of targeted funding can be. One innovation we backed – Big Picture Learning – delivered 700 life-changing outcomes for young people. Our COO, Lars Hagelmann, welcomed the fund, urging that lessons from past programmes are used to enable smarter, more flexible innovation where it’s needed most. Read more in Pioneers Post – link in comments. And we’ve shared a great Impact Investor piece on how the government is working with investors to shape the fund – also in the comments.

Would £10,000 in grant funding help your organisation deliver more impact? The Big Issue Invest 'Power Up London' accelerator programme is back! It supports early-stage organisations that address social and/or environmental issues by providing services to marginalised communities in London. Programme Benefits: ✅ Grow your income. ✅ Be more sustainable. ✅ Learn from mentors and peers. ✅ Access £10,000 in grant funding If this sounds like something you're looking for, learn more about the application criteria and apply via the link in the comments. Application Deadline: 10th September 2025 (may close earlier). Only 20 places available. Power Up London is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Big Issue NEWS: Rise of the good landlords. Private landlords get a bad rap. The reality is that the explosion of popularity in the sector over the last two decades, and the more recent homelessness crisis, means they are an essential part of the UK housing market. Homes for Good, an organisation we backed with a £3 million investment, is one of those. Read more about their work and hear from their founder, Susan Aktemel, below 👇 https://lnkd.in/ec3bVVcc

This is what social investment looks like. Practical. Local. People-powered. And it’s working.   Thank you to the entire team at Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and to our Investment Manager, Angelo Mastromarini, for making this investment happen.   If you’re a social enterprise or chairty looking for funding to grow your impact, send us a message!