A collaboration of Cornwall’s voluntary sector and business support organisations came together on Friday 18 November for a special Social Enterprise Business Day as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (14-18 November).
The event, held at The Elms in Redruth (home of Cornwall Neighborhoods for Change) was designed to showcase some of Cornwall’s newest social enterprises as well as highlighting the support available to help launch new businesses within Cornwall.
Chris Hassall, Enterprise Coach, Outset Cornwall, said, “Cornwall has a vibrant and growing social enterprise sector, with businesses involved in all sorts of varied activities from sailing to health care, all with a positive social or environmental aim at their heart. Outset Cornwall feel particularly passionate about nurturing and supporting these enterprises as they begin to form a greater importance in Cornwall’s (and the UK’s) economy.”
Opening with a vibrant performance of Capoeria (a Brazilian martial art) by Jinga Communities CIC, the day was well attended and provided a range of entertainment, workshops on communications, pitching and legal structures, and even a Dragon’s Den style pitching competition (courtesy of UnLtd) where £13,000 worth of funding was awarded to winning businesses. Social enterprise experts were also on hand to offer advice to budding social entrepreneurs through one-to-one discussions.
This event was delivered by a partnership of organisations, all of whom receive support from the ERDF or ESF Convergence programmes – Outset Cornwall, Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs, CN4C and PCDT.
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, opened the proceedings at the Elms stating, “Social enterprises are an important part of the fabric of economic activity in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Each of these organisations uses Convergence investment to offer flexible, expert support for people wanting to start their own social enterprise.”
The event also offered delegates the rare opportunity of putting their questions to a panel of experts (hosted by Sara Burgess from the Community Interest Companies UK regulator) comprising Tarn Lamb (CEO for Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change), Eileen Lennon (Head of People at YTKO), Lyndsey Hall (CEO for the Real Ideas Organisation), and Adrian Richards (CEO of BF Adventure).
The exciting Dragon’s Den style finale saw five finalists pitching their business ideas to distinguished social enterprise dragons Tarn Lamb, Eileen Lennon, Annabel Sampson and local social entrepreneur Stu Williams, who has set up Redruth Community Radio, which he runs from The Elms and who was awarded £2,500 by UnLtd to help get this off the ground after initially being supported by Outset Cornwall and Cornwall School for Social Entrepreneurs (CSSE).
