ClearlySo continues its pioneering approach to galvanising UK social investment by introducing social businesses to socially-minded investor through "speed dating".
The online marketplace www.clearlyso.com experimented with offline events in 2009 and will substantially expand its activities in 2010.
The site enables social businesses and investors to find each other, online and offline, creating a comprehensive, new, social business ecosystem. Two businesses secured investments of £105,000 last year as a result of two SSSD events.
Epona Clothing (www.eponaclothing.com) was also sucessful at securing investment. It sells trendy and attractively-priced fair trade “hoodies”, t-shirts and hot-pants targeted to the university market.
The company, based in the UK, is expanding across Europe and enjoying robust revenue growth. So convincing was Tom Andrews, Epona’s CEO, that not only has his investor become chairman, but Epona has gained the advisory services of Ella Heeks, who ran the successful ethical food home delivery company, Abel & Cole, whom Andrews met at the fourth annual ClearlySo Social Business Conference in November 2009.
ClearlySo founder Rodney Schwartz said: “ClearlySo links people, ideas, capital and suppliers to grow the social business and enterprise sector. This is just one of our many services. We are delighted Epona have been one of the first beneficiaries of this service—It is a great company.”
For more information, contact ClearlySo's Rodney Schwartz on rod@clearlyso.com and Epona's Tom Andrews at tom@eponaclothing.com
The current issue of Social Enterprise takes a look at the community pub, as well as five years of CICs, lunch with a dragon and top business advice on how to plan for holidays, mergers and organising that unforgettable event.
Our September issue is out soon, so SUBSCRIBE HERE TODAY
Social enterprises need an understanding banking partner to help manage their financial needs. Social banking specialist Triodos Bank can provide a fully integrated service, including current accounts, and investment banking.
Call us free on t: 0500 008 720
w: triodos.co.uk/charities
a: Brunel House, 11 The Promenade, Bristol, BS8 3NN
Authorised by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB) and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) for the conduct of UK business.
