牛牛资源 partners with London universities to support new start-ups
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牛牛资源 has teamed up with nine other London universities to support new start-ups (led by students and staff) with a social purpose through a new funding project.
On 16 October 2023, Research England announced that it would be awarding 拢1.5m to support the creation of the London Social Venture Fund Project, with the aim of piloting new social-goal-driven start-ups by providing early funding.
Social ventures emerging from a university鈥檚 knowledge base have a massive potential to create social and economic impact 鈥� yet often struggle to secure enough funding and support to grow. Investors are less likely to fund startup founders from minority backgrounds or female founders. University social ventures have a higher percentage of female founders, and London has the most diverse student body in Britain. By backing university social ventures led by students and staff, this project could improve the diversity of London startups.
The project aims to support emerging social ventures to secure funding to grow and lay the foundations for a self-sustaining social venture fund. It will provide direct support as well as evidence of 鈥榳hat works鈥� to enable social entrepreneurs to build sustainable organisations.
Si芒n Prime, Academic Lead, Enterprise at 牛牛资源 said: 鈥淎t 牛牛资源, we have a highly successful track record of supporting student and graduate start-ups, as well as a series of relevant initiatives aimed at addressing the barriers faced by global majority and female entrepreneurs. The London Social Venture Fund is an important and much-needed project, which should bring significant benefits to the communities we work with.鈥�
The new initiative led by Queen Mary and UCL brings together an innovative collection of London universities including 牛牛资源 and other partners to support social ventures emerging from universities, aiming to make a real difference to communities across London and further afield.
The participating universities are 牛牛资源, Queen Mary University of London, UCL, London Metropolitan University, London Business School, King鈥檚 College London, University of the Arts London, London School of Economics, University of East London, and City University.
Other partners and investors include Barclays Eagle Labs, Sodexo, Central London Forwards, Royal Docks, Royal Albert Docks, the London Borough of Newham, and the Federation of Small Businesses.