The entrepreneurs behind seven inspiring businesses who are creating sustainable social impact in different parts of society tonight pitched their businesses to a room of over 100 guests, supporters and investors in West London. The evening marked the culmination of the inaugural Resurgo Ventures Social Impact Accelerator taking place in Hammersmith over the last three months.

The purpose of the event was to help the ventures secure investment to take them to the next stage of their development.  It built upon twelve weeks of dedicated support provided to the ventures as they went through the programme receiving coaching and support in financial modelling, business planning, marketing, branding and delivering social impact, among other areas.

There was a tangible buzz in the room as they took to the stage to share ideas and their motivation for setting up social businesses. Pitches were heard from New Ground Coffee, Ranwo, The Good Wood Workshop, Nightingale Software, Luminary Bakery, Make Kit Food and Holos. Each business has a defined social impact – areas include ex-offenders, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, trafficking victims and those living in food poverty.

Gordon Eichhorst, Head of Resurgo Ventures, said, “Pitch Night was an inspiring testimony to the amazing dedication that our venture founders have towards seeing their business and social missions grow and thrive. With the help of Resurgo and an amazing community of dedicated professionals who generously gave their time and expertise, these seven ventures are poised and ready to take it to the next level. I’m so excited to see how far these ventures can go!”

Tom Jackson, Resurgo’s Chief Executive said, “Tonight’s launch marks a major milestone in Resurgo’s vision to help people come together to make a deeper and richer impact in society.  It has been a privilege to support these brilliant entrepreneurs and I think the energy and excitement in the room is testament to the inspiring businesses they have created.  I want to thank all those who have come together to support, encourage and invest in them.”

Nick Perryman, an experienced financial services professional, who was interviewed as part of the accelerator programme and attended the pitch event said, “This is an outstanding programme which gives participants access to the highest quality expertise and mentoring, across a range of business disciplines. At the pitch night, the presentations were vibrant and engaging, showcasing both the credibility of the business plans and their ambitious objectives for social impact. I am looking forward to seeing these businesses succeed, over the coming years.”

Investors can invest either in the seven ventures as a group, or into one business. Tax efficient investing is available – more information can be found in this brochure or by contacting us.

Applications for the January 2019 Accelerator programme will open this Autumn.

Appendix: The Seven Ventures

New Ground Coffee is an artisanal, ethical coffee company. The vision is to use the business as a vehicle to train and employ ex-offenders in long-term employment in the growing coffee industry.

Ranwo provides opportunities for companies and working professionals to hire assistants who work on a freelance basis, partnering with local authorities and housing associations to provide training to single mothers looking to upskill or engage in flexible work.

Make Kit Food create recipe kits for the growing market of vegetarians, vegans and meat reducers. Their aim is to improve the health of the nation by helping them eat more vegetables. For each kit that is sold, they donate a fresh, healthy affordable meal kit to a family in food poverty.

The Good Wood Workshop is a specialist construction training facility building the future of the construction industry by offering top-class carpentry and joinery education to unemployed young adults.

Luminary Bakery is a popular & profitable East London bakery and café providing employment opportunities for women who’ve experienced disadvantage. One third of employees are from these backgrounds.

Nightingale Software are building an analytical solution to the early identification of mental health and safeguarding concerns of students in schools, using an app and AI technology.

Holos create products that foster health, wellness and vitality. Their flagship product is the fermented tea drink, kombucha. They will support victims of trafficking through employment and charitable partnerships.