European Innovation Council
2021
Frank Appeldoorn, Holger Westphely, Jakob Detering, and others
The "Finance your social innovation" toolkit, released by the European Social Innovation Competition with support from the European Innovation Council, aims to assist early-stage social innovators in launching their projects. This free resource guides users through the entire funding process, from initial groundwork to securing financial support. It features a unique structure resembling a rocket's trajectory, providing clear steps for innovators and startups to navigate various funding avenues. Unlike other toolkits, it specifically targets those still developing their business models, offering practical information, tools, and inspirational case studies from EU Member States. Additionally, the toolkit includes expert insights from notable figures like Frank Appeldoorn and Holger Westphely, enhancing its value for users seeking to implement their social innovations successfully.
Finance your social innovation – New funding toolkit released
A new funding toolkit from the European Social Innovation Competition, run by the European Commission, with support from the European Innovation Council, has just been released to help early stage social innovators get their projects off the ground.
The free toolkit takes interested innovators through all steps, from laying the groundwork, how to access funding, early-stage finance tools and providers, specific EU funding opportunities and all the way through to next steps once funding is acquired. The toolkit is mapped around the trajectory of a rocket, from conception and design through to lift-off. It provides simple steps for social innovators and early-stage startups to follow, and breaks down the various avenues of funding available to them. This new funding toolkit is different to others as it focuses specifically on the early-stage social innovators and young start-ups, enabling those still formulating business models and plans to benefit from information and guidance. Within the toolkit users will find information and guidance, specific tools for users to put theory into practice, and inspirational case studies from across EU Member States. Expert contributions from respected individuals such as Frank Appeldoorn, Managing Partner at Arches Capital, Holger Westphely, Acting Head of CAF Venturesome and Jakob Detering, Managing Director of Social Impact Award, are also available throughout the toolkit.