University of Northampton in national social enterprise support initiative

Launched in January and funded by HEFCE, it will be delivered by UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs.

The HE Support Initiative follows the success of the Higher Education Social Entrepreneurship Awards, which saw 200 social ventures established in 70 HEIs between 2009 and 2011. UnLtd will work with 56 HEIs over an 18 month period to develop their support structures and make it easier for social entrepreneurs to start-up and thrive.

Professor Simon Denny, University of Northampton Social Enterprise Development Director said:

Being part of the programme means we will have an extra £25k to invest. But unlike most of the other HE institutions chosen to take part, social enterprise is already at the heart of everything we do. Because we are leading the field, this funding will support already well established programmes such as We Do Ideas, Big Ideas Bonanza and the Social Enterprise Development Fund.

Thanks to the commitment of so many people we are proud of what we have achieved so far and our offer for all students, whatever their subject specialism, to get involved in social enterprise during their time with us. The benefits to the students include improving their employability on graduation, while there is a much broader community benefit from the social enterprises themselves.

Professor Simon Denny