The Catalyst Fund: Flexible money for positive impact

Posted on 1 June 2021 by Christie McAlpine

The Catalyst Fund offers loans starting at £50,000 and is designed to support ambitious social enterprises to start and scale their business through social investment by offering a patient, revenue-based repayment model.

Who can apply?

The fund is open to social enterprises in Scotland with the potential to deliver significant social impact, but are unable to access existing social investment products. For example, start-ups with significant set up costs or scale ups that need more time to generate income before paying back their loans.

How does it work?

The Catalyst Fund offers a flexible repayment model which means that social enterprises make repayments as a proportion of their sales income; on good trading months you will pay back more, on months where trading revenue is lower, you will pay back less.  A model like this gives your social enterprise the time and flexibility it needs to grow at a pace that matches your ambitions.

How to apply

Firstport are running information webinars about the fund and interested applicants should attend a session before submitting an expression of interest. To find out more and to book a place on one of the webinars, visit the Firstpost website.