Founded in 2020, Àban is an award-winning social enterprise based in Inverness. Its mission is to transform the lives of children and young people through the power of outdoor adventure. This month, Àban secured the first loan from our new programme Step Up.

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Step Up with Àban: Driving Local Change through Outdoor Adventures

Outreach and Engagement Officer at FirstPort

Start It Funding: Office Hours!

Financial & Business Services, SEF - Start it

Firstport is hosting Start It surgeries to answer your questions about our Start It fund. Relationship Manager Jacky Tjivikua will answer your questions on the application process, eligibility criteria and any other related queries. 

24/11/2025 13:00-14:00
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Chat to our experts during Social Investment Office Hours!

Financial & Business Services

Firstport is excited to invite you to our Social Investment Office Hours, an informal session for Scottish social entrepreneurs like you! If you’re thinking about social investment but not sure how to proceed, our investment experts are here to help point you in the right direction – whether that’s to our investment readiness support programmes, loan products or to other investors and funders.

18/11/2025 10:00-11:00
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Expert Advice for your Build It Application

Financial & Business Services, SEF - Build it

Attend one of our dedicated Build It Office Hours with Business Advisor Charles Morgan and Relationship Manager Karen Fitzsimmons to give you insider advice on the Build It application process. It will include a briefing on updated funding criteria, expert tips to polish your application and a Q&A session to address your queries.

11/11/2025 10:00-11:00
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Chat to our experts during Social Investment Office Hours!

Financial & Business Services

Firstport is excited to invite you to our Social Investment Office Hours, an informal session for Scottish social entrepreneurs like you! If you’re thinking about social investment but not sure how to proceed, our investment experts are here to help point you in the right direction – whether that’s to our investment readiness support programmes, loan products or to other investors and funders.

03/11/2025 10:00-11:00
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Buy Social Scotland: Step Up your trading this festive season

, Step Up

We’re delighted to be partnering with Social Enterprise Scotland to bring you this online webinar where you can find out more about how small loans can support your enterprise.

Led by Lauren Scott, Investment Manager at Firstport, this workshop will cover:
– What Step Up does
– Who it’s for
– How to apply
– What happens after investment

We’ll also hear firsthand from Johannes Petersen, founder and chief executive of Àban Outdoor Limited, on their experience of applying for a Step Up loan.

08/10/2025 12:00-12:45
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