News

The Access Report One Year On: Tracking Our Progress

This was the first time research had focused on investigating the understanding, perception, and availability of social investment among ethnic minority social entrepreneurs in Scotland.  

The report found that 70% of investment providers did not have specific goals or targets for engaging with and investing in ethnic minority social entrepreneurs. Over three-quarters of investors surveyed (76%) offered ‘one-size-fits-all’ products, overlooking the unique and diverse needs and challenges faced by social entrepreneurs from Black, Asian, and other ethnic minority backgrounds.  

The report outlined a series of practical, actionable recommendations and interventions to help social entrepreneurs from minority ethnic backgrounds access and benefit from social investment and support to scale their social impact.    

A Call to Action  

We were encouraged to see that the report and its recommendations were welcomed by organisations and individuals across the entrepreneurial and social enterprise ecosystems. Many agreed that more needed to be done and voiced their desire to collaborate on solutions.  

But one year on, has the report catalysed change in how minority ethnic entrepreneurs are supported and able to access investment?  

For Firstport, SIS, and Dechomai, the answer is a resounding yes. When the report was published, the three organisations made several pledges and commitments. The report’s anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress made, as well as the challenges faced, and where further work is needed. 

 Below, we explore some of the recommendations and what we, as partners of the report, have done in response:  

A strategic awareness campaign and community outreach   

Forging new collaborations with ethnic minority communities was integral to this recommendation. To address this, Firstport and Dechomai partnered to co-design the Autumn 2024 programme of LaunchMe. This gave Firstport the perfect opportunity to tailor the way it delivered the programme’s content and to reach deeply into communities they might not otherwise have engaged with—thanks to connections and introductions initiated by Dechomai.  

The Autumn 2024 cohort recently completed the training element of the programme, and the experience was overwhelmingly positive. The programme supported 18 social entrepreneurs (most from minority ethnic backgrounds) on their journey toward investment. What’s more, the experience has led to lasting changes in how Firstport delivers the programme, particularly in the design of its new learning platform, LaunchPad.  

The relationships built during the outreach phase continue to provide a route to reach a diverse pool of social entrepreneurs for future cohorts.  

Inclusive Networking opportunities  

Networking and peer support were already core elements of the LaunchMe programme. However, Firstport introduced new components in its joint programme with Dechomai. For example, it brought in expert partners from global majority communities to host peer sessions and share their journeys, experiences, and learning. These sessions received excellent feedback from participants, and the programme will continue to include them in future rounds. It will also expand the number and diversity of global majority partners involved.  

In addition, two special Funding Socials events were hosted in Glasgow by SIS to bring together ethnic minority social entrepreneurs, investors, and support organisations. These gatherings created space for networking, open discussion, and relationship building – laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration and trust. Through these events, we engaged with 60 social entrepreneurs making introductions and creating connections that can be built on for the future.  

Diversity and addressing bias check-ins  

In the second part of 2024, Firstport established a refreshed Diversity & Inclusion framework. Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) have been an organisational priority since 2020, making significant progress across recruitment, communication, and training.  The new framework takes the work of the early days and pulls it together into a holistic, structured, and thoughtful approach.  The recommendations of the Access Report were considered in the new framework’s priority actions, and this month, Firstport staff and its Investment Committees are undertaking training on unintentional discrimination. 

At SIS, our commitment to change starts from within. Last year, we welcomed Bayile Adeoti, founder and CEO of Dechomai, into the team to carry out an internal audit of our policies, practices, and operations through a DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) lens. This audit helped identify gaps, challenged assumptions, and led to a set of clear, practical recommendations that are now being implemented across the organisation – from recruitment to marketing communications and funding criteria. 

Funding accessibility, including early-stage funding mechanisms  

Tailoring support and funding streams specifically for ethnic minority social entrepreneurs emerged as a specific need. These interventions help build both confidence in the entrepreneurs themselves and trust in social investment providers. 

Recognising these needs, Firstport is currently developing a new strand of the Catalyst Fund called Access Catalyst. This initiative will be co-designed with global majority-led partners and include incubation support and participatory decision-making. Access Catalyst is expected to open later in 2025. 

Streamlined application processes  

Firstport has standardised and simplified all its application forms, enabled tailored support throughout the application process, and is currently reviewing how to diversify application formats, (for example, offering video submissions).  

“One year on from the publication of the Access Report, we’ve taken important steps to begin addressing the barriers it brought to light. From auditing our internal processes to hosting targeted events for ethnic minority founders, we’ve focused on listening, learning, and adapting our approach.

While there is still much to do, this past year has shown the power of collaboration and sustained action. SIS remains firmly committed to embedding equity across our work and continuing to support initiatives that create a more inclusive and accessible investment landscape. We call on others across the sector to keep the momentum going and play their part in driving systemic change” – Alastair Davis, CEO of SIS.

“The Access Report offered us a clear path to tackle the barriers that prevent ethnic minority social entrepreneurs from accessing and benefiting from social investment. One year since its publication, we are delighted to share our progress so far. This progress is a testament to the hard work of our teams and partners, who rallied behind the report to embed new and improved practices into programmes and operations and develop deeper relationships with the communities we seek to serve. 

“The work is not done, and we remain committed to working in partnership with SIS, Dechomai and organisations across the entrepreneurial community, so entrepreneurs from all backgrounds have the resources and support they need to start and grow successful social enterprises.” – Gael Drummond, CEO of Firstport.

Bayile Adeoti, founder of Dechomai, said: “As a founder deeply rooted in the lived experiences of ethnic minority entrepreneurs, it’s been both affirming and inspiring to witness the tangible shifts since the publication of the Access Report. At Dechomai, we’ve always known that meaningful inclusion starts with listening—and that real change is powered by partnership. 

Over the past year, working alongside Social Investment Scotland and Firstport, we’ve moved from dialogue to action—challenging systems, co-designing better pathways, and embedding equity at the heart of enterprise support. The momentum we’ve built must now carry forward across the sector. We’re proud to play our part in reimagining what inclusive entrepreneurship can look like in Scotland—and we remain committed to ensuring that every founder, regardless of background, can thrive.” 

Together, we can do more 

We believe the Access Report was just the beginning. As we look ahead, we call on other investors and support organisations to: 

• Review and adapt funding criteria to reflect diverse entrepreneurial journeys. 

• Build long-term relationships with grassroots and ethnic minority-led organisations. 

• Embed lived experience in decision-making processes. 

We invite others to join us – whether by collaborating, sharing learning, or challenging the status quo. If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more, please reach out to any of the report partners.