Firstport

Firstport The Firstport of call for Social Enterprise

Looking to start or grow your social enterprise, we have the funding and support that you need to turn your idea into a ...
02/09/2026

Looking to start or grow your social enterprise, we have the funding and support that you need to turn your idea into a reality.

To learn more about Firstport and our programmes, visit https://ow.ly/7Tak50ZIeJj


Good Ideas Start Here is a a free interactive workshop for potential and existing social enterprises, as well as communi...
02/09/2026

Good Ideas Start Here is a a free interactive workshop for potential and existing social enterprises, as well as community organisations looking to become more sustainable.

Whether you're exploring a new idea, growing an existing project, or looking for ways to generate income and increase your impact, this session will provide practical advice, inspiration and support.

To learn more about this event in Orkney and to attend , click on this link https://events.humanitix.com/good-ideas-start-here



02/09/2026

Revenue-based finance is designed to share risk more fairly.

In this clip, Amy Gutcher explains why Sumerian uses revenue-based repayments, and why flexibility matters for social enterprises.

Instead of asking an organisation to carry all the pressure of fixed repayments, revenue-based finance links repayment to income. When the organisation does well, repayments increase. When income is lower, repayments ease.

That creates better alignment between investor and organisation. Both sides are invested in long-term success, and the finance reflects what is actually happening in the business.

This is also why Firstport’s Catalyst Fund uses revenue-based finance. It can give social enterprises more breathing space while they build income, impact, and resilience over time.

Watch the full episode of The Catalyst: Inside Social Investment with Amy on YouTube, or listen to it where ever you get your podcasts to hear more about flexible repayment models and patient capital.



A business accelerator is a programme that helps organisations grow by providing support, advice, training, mentoring, a...
02/09/2026

A business accelerator is a programme that helps organisations grow by providing support, advice, training, mentoring, and connections. It is designed to help businesses develop quickly and prepare for their next stage of growth.

01/09/2026

What if we thought about risk differently?
In this clip, Amy Gutcher challenges the social investment sector to look beyond a purely financial view of risk.

Social investment is often described as high risk because of the financial uncertainty. But from an impact perspective, the bigger risk might be something else entirely, the risk of not supporting organisations that are meeting urgent social or environmental needs.
That shift changes the conversation.

It asks investors to think not only about what might go wrong financially, but what might be lost if the right support does not reach the right organisation at the right time.

For founders, this matters because impact is part of the investment case. It is not separate from the finance.


Emily Macdonald is joined by Amy Gutcher from Sumerian to explore social investment, patient capital, financial resilie...
01/09/2026

Emily Macdonald is joined by Amy Gutcher from Sumerian to explore social investment, patient capital, financial resilience, and what it means to support social enterprises beyond funding alone.

Amy shares her journey from founding a social enterprise to training as an accountant and working within impact-first investment. That experience gives her a rare view from both sides of the table, understanding the pressures founders face while also knowing what investors need to see.

Together, Emily and Amy discuss cash flows, revenue-based repayments, risk, founder wellbeing, trust, and why investment should come with support, not just capital.
For founders trying to understand what finance could look like in practice, this is a clear and grounded conversation.

Listen to Catalyst: Inside Social Investment on your podcast app of choice.



28/08/2026

“We understand the early stage when things are uncertain.” Uncertainty is a common and necessary part of getting started.

Ideas are still forming, and direction is not always clear at this stage. We support founders to build confidence and understanding, helping them move forward at a pace that feels realistic.

If you’re at an early stage and want to talk things through, speak to our investment readiness team and explore what support might be right for you. Check the link in our bio for more information.


Thinking about social investment but not sure where to start? Download our free, plain-English guide to understand the f...
27/08/2026

Thinking about social investment but not sure where to start?

Download our free, plain-English guide to understand the funding landscape, explore revenue-based finance and assess whether your organisation is investment-ready.

Get the guide by tapping on the link https://ow.ly/LWxa50ZG0ez

Social enterprises are making a difference in island communities. Business for Good is a chance to explore how social en...
27/08/2026

Social enterprises are making a difference in island communities.

Business for Good is a chance to explore how social enterprises are making a difference in communities and why this approach is growing across Scotland.

Through real-life examples and local perspectives, the session will demonstrate how organisations can use business to address social challenges, strengthen communities and create lasting impact.

To learn more about this event in Orkney and how to attend, tap this link https://events.humanitix.com/firstport-business-for-good



Address

7 Montgomery Street Lane
Edinburgh
EH75JT

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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0131 564 0331

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