Cambridge Social Ventures
Cambridge Social Ventures supports a whole range of businesses that have positive social and environmental impacts. Our programmes 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 ongoing 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
Student and alumni news
The King honours sweet social venture Harry Specters
Mona Shah, who founded the Harry Specters chocolate business after being inspired by her autistic son, was honoured with an MBE for services to training and employment for young people with autism in the King’s Birthday Honours announced on 13 June. Harry Specters participated in the Cambridge Social Ventures programme, part of the Cambridge Centre of Social Innovation at Cambridge Judge Business School.
Student and alumni news
Citizen Zoo: empowering people to restore wildlife
An organisation supported by Cambridge Judge Business School is on a mission to reintroduce wildlife back into nature with help from non-expert Citizen Keepers in the community.
Programme news
Cambridge Social Ventures represented in WISE100 awards 2024
Six women who participated in the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation programme are among social entrepreneurs cited in WISE100.
