Firstport

Contact person: Lauren Scott
Phone: 0131 564 0331

Firstport

Are you looking to get your ideas started this year? Check out our support below and take that first step towards making a positive change in your community!  

Business support

Whether you are at wondering where to start or are ready to grow, our free, tailored business advice and support can help you. Through the Just Enterprise programme we offer one-to-one support, as well as group sessions, workshops, and webinars all designed to help you get off to the best possible start. Our LaunchMe programme helps you get ready for investment.

Funding

We have different types of grant funds depending if you are looking to start or grow your social enterprise. Each fund is designed to support social entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey. 

Social Investment

Our repayable investment options include 0% interest loans to help boost your social enterprise trading activities, to revenue-based flexible loans to help you scale.

Our Funds

Our Funds

Catalyst Fund

The Catalyst Fund is a different kind of social investment product that support ambitious social enterprises to start and scale their businesses. It offers loans starting at £50K using a flexible, revenue-based repayment model.

Step Up

Step Up provides 0% interest loans from £5k to £30k to fund successful growth strategies. This means concepts, products or services you have previously piloted or are currently running that helped you grow your business. Because we know that as you grow your business, you grow your impact!

Case studies by investor

Image
 A large indoor food hall with wooden picnic-style benches filled with people eating and socializing. A projection on the wall reads "THE PITT" in bold letters. The space has industrial ceilings and is lit with blue and purple uplighting. A stroller is parked near one of the tables, and a large Scottish flag hangs on the back wall.
Granton Project CIC

Established in 2015, The Pitt was one of the first year-round street food markets in Scotland, but when the original site was closed for redevelopment in 2022, they took the opportunity to rebuild in a new location as a social enterprise.

Duration
Within 10 years (aim)
Cost of capital
Revenue-based
Turnover
Pre-revenue
Amount invested
£350,000
Year of investment
2024
Investor
Firstport
  • Product type
    Quasi-equity

Image
Image of 2 storey white building with black sign and white lettering reading The Energy Training Academy
The Energy Training Academy

The Energy Training Academy (ETA) is a community interest company that specialises in providing high-quality training and education in the gas and renewables industry. ETA works with young people, veterans, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds to ensure they gain valuable skills for the green energy transition.

Duration
c.10 years
Cost of capital
1.27x to 1.5x amount invested
Turnover
n/a - Start-up
Amount invested
£300,000
Investor
Firstport
  • Product type
    Quasi-equity