An Assessment of the Outcomes of the Social Incubator Fund

Funder

Cabinet Office

Value

Commercial

Collaborators

ICF Consulting

Nick Henry, CBiS

Project objectives

In July 2012, the Cabinet Office established a £10 million Social Incubator Fund as part of its broader strategy to grow the UK’s social investment market. The aim of the project was to assess the success and effectiveness of different forms of incubator and their finance and business support packages on the development of early stage social ventures. Acting as a sub-consultant to policy consultancy ICF Consulting, Nick Henry provided expert peer review on the evaluation methodology, findings and recommendations.

Impact statement

The project contributed to the range of research and project activities undertaken by the Centre for Business in Society cluster on Economic Development and Inclusive Economies. In particular, it continues the work around community finance and social investment markets more broadly and business models that achieve a balance of both economic and social outcomes. Recent examples include:

 Queen’s Award for Enterprise Logo
University of the year shortlisted
QS Five Star Rating 2023