Daisy Ford-Downes

Head of Investment Programmes @Firstport | Scout @adaventures | WISE100 | Systems change & startups

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

Thinking about investment for your social enterprise in Scotland? The Catalyst Fund is a flexible loan fund designed to help those unable to access other social investment products and help you build towards sustainability or further investment. Read more about it here 👇

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

The Catalyst Fund is a new kind of social investment product that support ambitious social enterprises to start and scale their businesses. It offers loans starting at £50K using a flexible, revenue-based repayment model. Learn more here > https://t.co/nel1F2DDL8

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Are you passionate about tackling the complex issues behind declining health & wellbeing?
We will fund one innovative idea that can deliver long-term impact.

There's only a week left to submit your expression of interest to our Social Innovation Challenge.

[Social Enterprise Scotland @SocEntScot]

💡 Do you have a #SocialEnterprise idea addressing inequality within the core building blocks of good health and well-being?

Expressions of Interest are now open for this year's Social Innovation Challenge from @firstport! Find out more ➡ https://t.co/MMzxBFnkLH

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Well done to Hal and his team for securing investment from our Catalyst Fund & @FoundationScot to get the Pitt Market back up and running in the Granton Waterfront. We are excited to follow and support your progress @thepittmarket

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

We have teamed up with @volactionangus, @TheCircle_CIC, and @BusinessGateway to offer a free in-person event to support the growth and development of established and start-up social enterprises in Angus.

[Courtyard Pantry Enterprise @courtyardpantry]

We had our Trustee @PeterTheGannet in the kitchen at our social cafe Toshie's yesterday cooking up a storm. Peter created a brand new gourmet toastie for our Special's menu.

If you would like to work with our food social enterprises, please get in touch.

#doinggoodthroughfood

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

This survey is the first step in the process - there'll be more opportunities to get involved over the next few months, but the survey will help us to understand the topics that need talking about.

Supported by the Scottish Ecosystem Fund 23-24.

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

What can we do better? Alongside Social Investment Scotland and Dechomai Ltd, we're listening to the experiences of ethnic minority social entrepreneurs raising social finance in Scotland.

Please share with any (aspiring) social entrepreneurs to complete before 18th January! 👇

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Are you a Social Entrepreneur based in Scotland and belong to an ethnic minority? The Access project wants to hear your experience of any barriers you faced when seeking finance for your business.

Share your experience before 18 Jan ➡️ https://t.co/k2sQksfw9p

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Are you a Social Entrepreneur based in Scotland and belong to an ethnic minority? The Access project wants to hear your experience of any barriers you faced when seeking finance for your business.

Share your experience before 18 Jan ➡️ https://t.co/k2sQksfw9p

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Wanting to change jobs in 2024? We're hiring a new Investment Readiness Programme Manager.

The Investment Readiness Programme Manager leads Firstport’s investment readiness programme LaunchMe. For more info and how to apply visit https://t.co/FGV7BFO4ow

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Looking for a change of scene? We're hiring a new Investment Readiness Programme Manager.

The Investment Readiness Programme Manager leads Firstport’s investment readiness programme #LaunchMe. For more info and how to apply visit https://t.co/FGV7BFO4ow

#newjob #hiring

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

Eating leftover mince pies and starting to think about the new year? If you're looking for a change in 2024, a greater sense of purpose and a brilliant new team, check out this role with us at Firstport 👇

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

New year, new job? - We're hiring a new Investment Readiness Programme Manager.

The Investment Readiness Programme Manager leads Firstport’s investment readiness programme LaunchMe. For more info and how to apply visit https://t.co/FGV7BFO4ow

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Are you ready to RISE?

Ready to Rise is a programme that opens the doors to social entrepreneurship for women who want to create a positive impact within their community. Find out more today at https://t.co/3QSJRts0Lv

#ReadyToRise

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

Excited for our Catalyst Fund investee @courtyardpantry receiving their new electric cargo bike. If you're looking for tasty catering with positive impact in Glasgow, you can now get it emission free!

[Courtyard Pantry Enterprise @courtyardpantry]

We are delighted to have taken delivery our new electric cargo bike, the VOK XL.

This will provide an emission free, weather proof and fun transport solution for our growing catering enterprise.

To find out more, drop us an email at [email protected]

🚲🌲🧑‍🍳

[Techscaler @tech_scaler]

Applications for our Winter '24 cohort of Startup First Steps are open. If you'd like to learn more about the course and how to apply, come along to our explainer webinar tomorrow from 3pm.

https://t.co/UuYGlUanq5

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Jeremy Miles, @emfly & @downes_ford were at the excellent Social Enterprise Policy and Practice Conference yesterday to learn more about the plan to move #socents from Social to Economic Policy within Scot Gov.

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

ApparelXchange, a social enterprise dedicated to reusing, repairing & recycling childrenswear, is the winner of this year’s Social Innovation Challenge.

They will use the £50,000 grant funding to get the connected and integrated clothing system up & running across Glasgow.

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

Great to see @Firstport's investment into The Energy Training Academy included in the impact investing roundup!

[Pioneers Post @PioneersPost]

NEW: Impact Investing Newsflow: September 2023 edition

The global impact deals, reports and initiatives you need to know about this month – all in one place:
https://t.co/DsYaL1rHCV

@AstanorVentures @OceaniumLtd @Fair4AllFinance @BigSocietyCap @crisis_uk @waterequityorg

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

Absolutely THRILLED to announce the Catalyst Fund's latest investment into The Energy Training Academy. They are addressing the decarbonisation skills challenge and helping young people, veterans, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds gain skills in the new green economy 🚀🌱

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

The Energy Training Academy secures the largest Catalyst Fund investment to date

The investment will help ETA address a looming skills shortage in engineers trained to install air source heat pumps and other renewable technology.

[Firstport for Social Entrepreneurs @Firstport]

Join our team as an Investment Manager!

Shape the future of social investment with Firstport's Boost It and Catalyst Fund. Assess applications, influence decisions, and manage a portfolio of dynamic social enterprises. Tap the link in the comments to learn more.

[Daisy Ford-Downes @downes_ford]

One more week to apply for the Investment Manager role at Firstport! Come work with me and some amazing social enterprises 😄

Full-time, flexible, remote with travel across Scotland

https://t.co/SQDiWMCD1g