The Social Enterprise Focus as part of Argyll Enterprise Week, recognises the significant contribution social enterprises make not only to the Argyll Economy but to the sustainability of services and communities across the area.

The Rural Innovators Awards recognise projects, people and organisations that improve life in rural communities across Scotland.

Businesses urged to consider collaborating to achieve growth and access new markets. Prize now open for entries.

Did you know that the first official co-working space was set up as a non-profit co-operative? This was in 2005, a mere 11 years ago.

LaunchMe, Scotland’s social enterprise accelerator has opened for applications for the third time. The only programme of its kind in the country, it supports the most ambitious, early stage social enterprises to achieve scale, by getting them investment ready and connecting them with investors looking for social as well as financial returns.

Scotland’s leading company creation competition and start up development programme for students, graduates and staff from the country’s universities has announced its top six finalists for the main Converge Challenge award category.

12 successful Scottish social entrepreneurs have shared their business model with Firstport, in the aim to help budding social entrepreneurs get their own venture started. 

Do you have questions about social enterprise? Are you thinking about starting your own or already have? Do you want to find out what support and funding you can access for your social enterprise?

Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network’s mascot Doogie Goodstuff who promotes great social enterprise products and services across the city with his “Buy The Good Stuff” campaign – is taking to the streets of Edinburgh with his social enterprise friends and colleagues to sell The Big Issue.

BOLD, a social enterprise creative agency based in Edinburgh, has just launched its BOLD Basics package, specifically designed to help social entrepreneurs create a brand identity on a start-up friendly budget. We spoke to Doug Summers, their senior designer about the importance of branding, their work with socially-minded companies and their love of Pinterest. 

The 2016 Montrose Triathlon welcomes its first Visually Impaired (VI) participant. Norma Davidson, from Menmuir’s (by Brechin), will be taking part in her first triathlon on Sunday, 5 June when she takes competes in the Novice event.

On Monday 25 April 2016 The Melting Pot hosted The Next Big Social Thing – an unveiling of products, services and enterprises designed by the 10 start-up social entrepreneurs supported on their Incubation Programme 2015/16.

Social entrepreneurs have a key role to play in Argyll’s economic and social prosperity. This is the premise of an event that took place in Dunoon on 25th of May 2016. 

Seven social entrepreneurs from all over Scotland have been awarded a total of £22,738 from the Social Entrepreneurs Fund. The awards were delivered by Firstport to help the awardees pilot their business ideas.

Small is Beautiful is an annual inspirational conference and a celebration of the world of creative micro-businesses and enterprising, in Edinburgh. 

Two campaigners from opposing parties have put their political differences aside and joined forces to set up Scotland's first all-female social public affairs company.

Ten social entrepreneurs from Argyll have been awarded a total of £33,897 to develop and grow their business ideas. 

The No1 Befriending Agency is organising its first Senior Social Lunch in Whiteinch, Glasgow on Friday 13th May. The lunch is open to elderly people and will be affordable.

Danielle started Tribe Porty, a community co-working space and creative events hub in Portobello, Edinburgh, in 2014. She shares her thoughts and journey on social entrerpeneurship. 

Thinking about starting a business that benefits you and profits your community? Join us on Tuesday 10 May for our Edinburgh information event. 

50 children and parents attended a free Super Maths Academy event in Glasgow at the weekend, and learnt how to calculate faster than a calculator. They were taught by Dr Rashmi Mantri, founder of social enterprise British Youth IT College.

Audrey Mutongi started her business in June 2015. Her social enterprise, Be-Friend, is a befriending service for older people in West Dunbartonshire. After receiving support from the Ditto programme, she has gone from strength to strength. She has just moved into her first office and is launching a new series of events in May.