Cambridge Social Ventures
Cambridge Social Ventures supports a whole range of businesses that have positive social and environmental impacts.
Our programmes, Social Venture Weekend and Social Venture Incubator, are designed for people who will drive their businesses forward to create real, lasting social or environmental change.
About Cambridge Social Ventures
We support the development and growth of social ventures, through trainings and workshops. We create an inclusive, supportive, and friendly atmosphere, giving emerging entrepreneurs the opportunity to meet like-minded people and learn from experts.
Cambridge Social Ventures was established in 2014, a partnership between Allia, Cambridge Judge Business School, Foundation East and Keystone Trust, funded by the UK Cabinet Office. In 2016, we became part of the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School.
It is vital that entrepreneurship that has genuine social impact should be supported, particularly in its early stages, and Cambridge Social Ventures is extremely effective in providing that support.
Our programmes
Social Venture Weekend
Two days of intensive world class training for people with an ambition to set up or grow a social venture.
We welcome individuals from varied backgrounds who are committed to make positive social or environmental impact across all sectors, from employment to genomics, ageing to energy.
Social venture Incubator
A tailored programme of on-going regular business advice and coaching, introductions to networks, access to shared workspace if required and support to access debt and equity finance.
Our incubator programme supports entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds working to address a wide range of social issues.
Key facts
Entrepreneurs supported through Social Venture Weekends
Ventures incubated
Amount raised by our ventures*
*in equity/loans/grants/public sector contracts
Our ventures
Our ventures work in diverse fields such as health, transport, housing, ageing and education. They range from local to global in scale, and include technology startups, public sector, community organisations, university spinouts and everything in between.
Our ventures have great stories to tell. Read more about them and find out how to get in touch with them directly.
Social venture feature articles
Entrepreneurship and innovation
Why personal can be powerful when it comes to company values
Company values reflect a business’s principles to staff, recruiters, clients and investors – shaping office culture and driving growth. In this special Insight article, we talk to 4 ventures which have received support from Cambridge Judge Business School about what company values mean to them.
Beth Kume-Holland is the Founder and CEO of Patchwork Hub, a venture supported by Cambridge Social Ventures at Cambridge Judge to help inclusive employers connect with skilled disabled job seekers. She talks about bridging the disability employment gap and providing opportunities for all to thrive in work.
Entrepreneurship and innovation
Cambridge entrepreneur wins Women in Innovation Award
On International Women’s Day 2023, Becky Cotton (EMBA 2015) has been announced as a winner of an Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award, which recognises trailblazing women entrepreneurs.
