探花社区

Partners: 探花社区 University and the Enterprise Research Centre
Clients: Department for Business and Trade, Innovate UK, and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Dates: 2022-2026

This project examines the funding experiences and journeys of early-stage UK SMEs with high growth potential.

The research included two survey waves:

• the first survey 
• the second survey took place in 2025.

Alongside the large-scale SME survey, the project included:

• interviews with investors and policymakers
• secondary analysis of market data
• SME case studies.

Research leads: CEEDR and GreenFin, 探花社区 University
Funder: Natural Environment Research Council
Dates: 2022-2026

This project builds on the earlier SME Financing for Biodiversity project.

It includes research and business case studies across four sectors and areas:

• agrifood
• textiles and fashion
• infrastructure and transport
• innovative ecological ecosystem services.

Key outputs include:

• sector reports
• an SME Nature Positive innovation finance report
• an article published in Sustainable Futures
• an international SME Nature Positive Accelerator programme
• a Business Habitat Biodiversity Calculator.

Contact: Professor Robyn Owen

Email: r.owen@mdx.ac.uk

Led by: 探花社区 University
Initial funder: Natural Environment Research Council
Dates: 2024-2026

supports early-stage and scale-up SMEs in developing their environmental business models and investor pitch decks.

The programme ran two annual cohorts in 2024 and 2025. Each cohort concluded with an opportunity for participating SMEs to pitch to investors.

The accelerator continues in different forms. Its 2026 online programme focuses on clean and Nature Positive technology for Africa. It has links with Green Farm Africa and the Niger Delta Climate and Tech Series.

So far, 28 companies have completed the accelerator. Several have subsequently secured grant or private investment.

Research co-leads: CEEDR and GreenFin
Private-sector partner: EnrichGeo Technologies
Initial funder: Future Earth
Dates: 2025-2026

 is developing an end-to-end blockchain blueprint for sustainable smallholder farming in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

The project maps the agrifood supply chain for sustainable fresh-food exports. It also develops relevant data points and economic analysis.

Specialist university researchers are developing support for farmers in:

• sustainable agriculture, involving 探花社区 University and the Universities of Reading and Lincoln
• food regulation, involving the University of Lincoln
• logistics, involving Royal Holloway, University of London.

EnrichGeo Technologies provides technical support for smart farming and employs local agronomists to train small farming cooperatives.

探花社区 works with independent accreditation agencies to help farmers obtain accessible Green Stamp and GlobalG.A.P. certification for UK exports.

Destination Produce is developing links with buyers at high-end UK supermarkets to help secure markets.

The blockchain blueprint is being considered for wider development across countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Client: British Business Bank
Research lead: SQW Research
Research partner: 探花社区 University
Dates: 2025–2028

The Nations and Regions Investment Funds project provides early-stage and interim evaluations of investment funds for the devolved nations and English regions.

It follows the English Regional Investment Funds project, also commissioned by British Business Bank between 2018 and 2020. This earlier research produced the 

The earlier evaluation examined three UK government Regional Investment Funds supporting early-stage and scale-up SMEs with high growth potential:

• Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, £400 million
• Midlands Engine Investment Fund, £250 million
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund, £40 million.

The project developed a robust, multimethod approach comprising:

• qualitative process evaluation
• quantitative surveys
• counterfactual econometric modelling
• longitudinal case studies of supported businesses.

The research assessed programme impact, additionality, and value for money. It covered loan, equity, and mezzanine finance across different English regions.

Client: Hounslow Council and London Councils
Project lead: Dr Patrick Elf

The London Councils SME Green Economy Report 2026 was produced by CEEDR at 探花社区 University.

It assesses the support available to London SMEs making the transition towards a green economy. The report examines the availability and effectiveness of:

• financial support
• business services
• green technology adoption.

It recommends:

• creating a centralised green support programme for SMEs
• improving access to green finance
• developing shared green infrastructure
• expanding green skills training
• strengthening public-private partnerships that help SMEs participate in green initiatives.

These recommendations aim to provide SMEs with more comprehensive and accessible support during their transition towards sustainability.

Contact: Dr Patrick Elf
Email: p.elf@mdx.ac.uk 

Project lead: Dr Sylvia Gottschalk
Client: Financial Conduct Authority

This research examines how Financial Conduct Authority regulation can support SME finance across:

• debt
• equity
• hybrid finance
• alternative finance.

It focuses on financial products and services regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It also considers how regulated firms provide SMEs with products and services outside the regulator’s formal remit.

The project compares the UK with international economies of a similar size and level of market development. It examines which approaches improve SMEs’ access to finance and support business growth.

A central focus is the role of open finance and open banking in providing alternative non-bank debt finance.

The research considers how regulation and SME finance policy influence access to finance and business growth. It also identifies factors that may explain differences between countries, including:

• market structures
• policy interventions
• institutional features.

Early and mid-term evaluations for British Business Bank, led by SQW Research (2025-2028).

Evaluation of Nations and Regions Investment Funds

探花社区 is a research partner in this project for British Business Bank. SQW Research leads the work, which runs from 2025 to 2028.

The Nations and Regions Investment Fund (NRIF) project provides early-stage and interim evaluations of investment funds for the devolved nations and English regions.

It follows the English Regional Investment Funds project, also commissioned by British Business Bank from 2018 to 2020. This earlier project produced the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund Interim Evaluation Report.

The research evaluated the UK government’s Regional Investment Funds. These funds supported early-stage and scale-up development among SMEs with high growth potential:

• Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (£400 million)
• Midlands Engine Investment Fund (£250 million)
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund (£40 million).

The project developed a robust, multi-method approach to evaluation. This included:

• qualitative process evaluation
• quantitative surveys
• counterfactual econometric modelling
• longitudinal case studies of supported businesses.

The research assessed programme impact, additionality, and value for money. It covered loan, equity, and mezzanine finance interventions across different English regions.

For more information, email r.owen@mdx.ac.uk

Project: 探花社区 University Research and Funding Fund
Project lead: Dr Sylvia Gottschalk
Dates: 2023-2024

Building a low-carbon, green-growth economy is a major part of the UK Government’s policy agenda. Its aims include:

• meeting net-zero and biodiversity commitments
• levelling up the economy
• creating a globally leading green sector in the UK.

This project examines how established SMEs in England can finance their transition to greener business practices.

Earlier demand-side research found that SMEs have uneven access to debt finance across the UK. Smaller SMEs with fewer resources may face the greatest barriers, particularly in areas far from banking centres.

Research methods

The report draws on 21 detailed interviews with providers and other stakeholders in the English debt finance system.

Participants included:

• financial trade associations
• high-street banks
• specialist green and sustainable banks
• alternative non-bank debt providers
• finance brokers
• business support providers, including local authorities.

The research compared urban London with the more rural South West of England.

Findings

The research identified a two-tier approach to SME finance.

Larger SMEs with greater resources can access high-street bank finance more easily. They also have better access to government green grants and subsidies.

Most SMEs occupy the lower tier. These businesses tend to be smaller, have fewer resources, and lack:

• internal investment funds
• relevant information
• business support
• access to external debt or grant funding.

These barriers restrict their ability to finance a green transition.

Lower-tier SMEs actively pursuing a green transition are more likely to use alternative non-bank debt finance. They may access this directly or through brokers.

Brokers can provide valuable relationship management, although the quality of their work varies, and the sector is unregulated.

Limited and poorly targeted grant funding also restricts the green transition. Property restrictions affecting landlords and tenants create further barriers.

Read 

Contact: Dr Sylvia Gottschalk
Email: s.gottschalk@mdx.ac.uk 

 

Clients: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Enterprise Ireland
Research lead: SQW
Partners: St John’s Innovation Centre, 探花社区 University, and Perceptive Insight Market Research

This study reviewed the scale and nature of equity investment in Ireland. It also evaluated the Enterprise Ireland Seed and Venture Capital scheme from 2013 onwards.

The research focused on venture capital investment up to Series B+ and used:

• secondary and monitoring data from PitchBook and Enterprise Ireland
• interviews with fund managers and stakeholders
• a telephone survey of firms receiving Seed and Venture Capital investment
• econometric analysis of the effect of investment on beneficiary firms
• Monte Carlo simulations assessing value for money.

An independent advisory group provided guidance on the findings and recommendations.

Findings

The study concluded that Ireland’s equity ecosystem is not self-sustaining. State support through Enterprise Ireland remains necessary at every stage:

• pre-seed
• seed
• early stage
• later stage and scale-up.

Repeatedly responding to individual funding gaps can create artificial barriers between successive funding rounds and restrict business growth. Funding gaps can also change over time.

The policy response should therefore take a longer-term approach because developing a well-functioning equity ecosystem can take decades.

For more information, email r.owen@mdx.ac.uk.

See also the 2025 SQW and 探花社区 report,

Client: UK Enterprise Research Centre
Project lead: Dr Sylvia Gottschalk
Publication: Research Paper No. 108, July 2023

This research examines how geographical inequalities affect the green growth of UK SMEs and social enterprises.

It considers how different amounts and types of external finance support low-carbon activities and energy efficiency. These include:

• publicly supported schemes and grants
• private debt
• equity finance.

It also examines the relationship between green finance and:

• skills and capabilities
• future intentions
• business sectors
• UK regions
• urban and rural locations
• levels of deprivation.

The authors analysed national data from the UK Longitudinal Small Business Survey between 2017 and 2021.

They examined how access to finance was affected by digital connectivity, regional broadband capacity, and physical access to banks and regional financial centres.

Findings

The analysis found that:

• greater digital connectivity reduces the likelihood that SMEs will use or apply for government grants
• digital connectivity has no statistically significant effect on social enterprises’ applications for external finance
• greater digital connectivity increases demand for bank-based external finance
• physical access to banks remains important for green SMEs and social enterprises
• broadband access helps green SMEs and social enterprises diversify their sources of external finance
• broadband has not replaced the need for physical access to financial services.

Policy implications

The paper identifies three principal implications:

• Better-targeted schemes are needed to finance green activity among SMEs. Improved digital access could also reduce dependence on grants.
• Awareness of existing government support programmes should increase. Support should include targeted grants and green research and development tax relief.
• Further research is needed into the relationships between SMEs, green investment, physical access to banks, and digitally accessed external finance.

Contact: Dr Sylvia Gottschalk
Email: s.gottschalk@mdx.ac.uk 

Project: 探花社区 University Higher Education Innovation Fund
Dates: 2022–2023

This project provided practical advice, networking opportunities, signposting, and support to freight and logistics SMEs in Hounslow and West London.

It supported the transition to net zero and wider environmental improvements through Nature Positive action.

Activities

The project:

• supported businesses with practical steps towards net zero, good practice, and innovation in transport and infrastructure
• connected logistics providers to improve transparency, share resources, increase efficiency, and reduce environmental effects
• strengthened links between freight and logistics SMEs, planning processes, and planning organisations
• worked with partners to increase community involvement in transport innovation
• worked with investors to map finance opportunities and barriers to a greener logistics sector.

Outputs

The project produced:

• an online support tool covering carbon and biodiversity awareness, green-transition finance, and practical action
• industry workshops with trade associations and consultants
• blueprints for future training and support programmes.

For more information, email r.owen@mdx.ac.uk

SME Financing for Biodiversity

Full title: SME Financing for Biodiversity: Building Nature Measurement and Impacts into SME Financing
Commissioned by: Natural Environment Research Council and Finance for Biodiversity
Year: 2022

This nine-month project examined how UK SME finance markets assess the climate and biodiversity effects of their customers and portfolios.

It considered how different finance providers could encourage and support SMEs to report these effects. The providers included:

• debt finance providers
• equity finance providers
• supply-chain finance providers
• insurers.

Improved self-reporting could help SME finance markets operate more effectively and support a sustainable future.

Research methods

The research included more than 150 interviews with SME finance providers and business support agencies. It also analysed secondary data, reports, and academic research.

Researchers completed 11 business case studies covering:

• SME supply chains within large businesses
• B Corp-certified SMEs using self-reporting
• innovative SMEs measuring and reporting their climate and biodiversity effects.

Shoremount was a research partner. The consultancy specialises in preparing SMEs for B Corp certification. It supported the selection of business cases and helped assess effective approaches to climate and biodiversity reporting.

Stakeholder workshops held during summer and autumn 2022 tested the findings.

The project also included an agrifood case study based on interviews with stakeholders and members of the UK small-farming community.

Findings and outputs

The findings offer practical guidance for the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. They aim to improve climate and Nature Positive reporting by SMEs.

The project also produced policy briefings and practical toolkits for:

• SMEs creating positive environmental impact
• investors
• banks
• insurers.

Outputs include:

• SME Finance for Biodiversity in the UK: Project Summary
• SME Financing for Biodiversity: Key Findings and Recommendations
• How-to Guide on Climate and Nature Positive Investment.

Contacts

Professor Robyn Owen: r.owen@mdx.ac.uk 
Professor Fergus Lyon, agrifood case study: f.lyon@mdx.ac.uk 
Dr Amy Burnett, Research Manager: a.burnett@mdx.ac.uk 

Commissioned by the London Development Agency

This study examined the type, scale, and scope of finance required by London’s SMEs. It focused particularly on businesses experiencing difficulty accessing finance.

The research assessed:

• demand for finance
• evidence of market failure
• venture capital and loan schemes funded through the 2000-2006 European Regional Development Fund programme
• whether these schemes should be extended or changed for the 2007-2013 programme.

Demand-side research included:

• analysis of the London Annual Business Survey
• consultation with businesses experiencing difficulty accessing finance
• consultation with accountants, enterprise agency managers, and other stakeholders.

Supply-side research included interviews with:

• venture capital and loan fund managers
• venture capital organisations
• banks
• community development finance institutions.

The study estimated the amount and types of funding that SMEs would require up to 2015. It also considered options for delivering this support.

Contact CEEDR for more information.

Client: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK

This study identified firms that had received innovation support through 25 government programmes since 2004.

It examined the long-term effects of these programmes on:

• sales turnover
• employment
• innovation
• business survival.

Researchers used government administrative data and advanced counterfactual impact evaluation methods. They compared supported businesses with matched control groups to isolate the effect of the programmes.

探花社区 University examined knowledge spillover effects. Dr James Derbyshire led the University’s contribution.

Client: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Reporting to: British Business Bank

This 2014 study provided an early assessment of the UK Government’s £100 million Angel Co-investment Fund.

The research was conducted with Professor Colin Mason of the University of Glasgow, an international specialist in business angel finance.

Launched in 2011, the Fund aimed to address an equity finance gap of between £200,000 and £2 million within the UK seed and early-stage SME market. It provided angel syndicates with matching investment of up to 50% and aimed to improve standards of angel investment.

The research included interviews with:

• 19 successful and unsuccessful business angel applicants
• 20 supported and unsupported businesses.

The findings suggested that the Fund was addressing an equity finance gap and had strong market support. It did not appear to duplicate other public or private funding.

At the time of the study, it was too early to determine whether the Fund was improving standards of business angel investment.

Contact CEEDR for more information.

Commissioned by the London Borough of Barnet

This research provided a baseline analysis of Barnet’s economy from an enterprise perspective. It identified trends, principal drivers, and barriers to business growth.

Building on the Barnet Economic Insight report from 2011, the research updated the evidence about the borough’s business activity. It compared Barnet with Greater London and neighbouring local authorities across two areas with potential for economic partnership:

1. North London Strategic Alliance: Barnet, Waltham Forest, Haringey, Enfield, and Redbridge
2. A5/A406 growth corridor: Brent and Harrow, alongside the Hertfordshire local authorities of Dacorum, Hertsmere, and Watford.

The research also included:

• SME case studies
• interviews with business support providers
• analysis of growth trends at ward level
• examination of important business sectors and clusters.

The findings helped Barnet Council identify the future support needs of sectors with growth potential.

Contact CEEDR for more information.

Commissioned by the London Development Agency

CEEDR analysed the London Annual Business Survey to examine demand for business finance and businesses’ experiences of accessing it.

The research also included:

• a UK-wide review of business finance programmes
• case studies of businesses receiving equity investment from the London Technology Fund.

This work formed part of a wider review conducted with Roger Tym & Partners.

Commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Published: July 2011

This study examined how small and medium-sized employers used external business support services.

Researchers conducted a computer-assisted telephone survey with owner-managers at 1,200 SMEs in England. The survey gathered mainly quantitative evidence, supported by qualitative responses, and took an average of 20 minutes to complete.

The sample provided statistically robust evidence about:

• recent use of external business support
• reasons for not using support
• support obtained from private providers
• information and advice obtained from public providers.

Organised by: CEEDR, 探花社区 University, and the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Date: 20 June 2017

This conference brought together SME finance researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to discuss the changing finance landscape in the UK and Europe.

Contributors included representatives from the British Business Bank and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Discussions considered parallels between the Global Financial Crisis and the economic and political uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the UK Government.

Principal themes

The conference identified:

• the emergence of alternative forms of finance, including crowdfunding and blockchain
• the need for an ecosystem approach to innovative business finance, supporting commercialisation and business growth
• continuing demand-side barriers, including limited investment readiness and borrower discouragement
• the growing importance of social and green finance
• the need for patient capital for ventures with longer investment horizons
• the potential role of a state investment bank in overseeing the finance escalator and wider financial ecosystem.

The conference contributed to the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship’s SME Finance Community of Interest Group. It was intended to support further conferences, seminars, and a special issue of the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Conference programme

Venue: Committee Room 1, Hendon Town Hall, The Burroughs, London NW4 4BT
Time: 9.30am to 5.00pm

Welcome and opening presentations

• 9.30am: Coffee and registration
• 10.00am: 探花社区 University welcome
• 10.05am: “Financing the scale-up of entrepreneurial businesses: beyond the funding escalator”, Professor Colin Mason, University of Glasgow
• 10.30am: “The changing landscape for equity finance in the UK and current issues affecting the availability of funding to businesses with high growth potential”, Daniel van der Schans, British Business Bank
• 10.55am: “Crowdfunding platforms as super-catalysts in an entrepreneurial ecosystem”, Professor Othmar Lehner, University of Upper Austria
• 11.20am: Discussion
• 11.35am: Coffee break.
  
  

Session 1: Barriers to SME finance

• 11.50am: “Which UK SMEs apply, receive, or are discouraged from accessing external finance? The implications for SME growth policy”, Robyn Owen, 探花社区 University; Tiago Botelho, University of East Anglia; and Osman Anwar, SQW
• 12.10pm: “Financial literacy, access to finance, and the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises: an analysis of enterprises in the UK”, Professor Javed Hussain, Birmingham City University
• 12.30pm: “Performance and default: seven years of peer-to-peer lending in the UK”, Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, Pierangelo Rosati, and Theo Lynn, Dublin City University
• 12.50pm: Round-table discussion
• 1.05pm: Lunch.

Session 2: Alternative SME finance

• 2.00pm: “Exploring the difference in performance between European and US venture capital funds”, Keith Arundale, University of Glasgow
• 2.20pm: “How trust influences the development path of equity crowdfunding platforms: an exploratory study of AngelCrunch in China”, Li Xiao, Lancaster University, and Robyn Owen, 探花社区 University
• 2.40pm: “A theory of social change in crowdfunding campaigns: a critical feminist approach”, Theresia Harrer, University of Upper Austria
• 3.00pm: “Is crowdfunding the new junior junior market?”, Tom Britton, SyndicateRoom
• 3.20pm: Round-table discussion
• 3.35pm: Coffee break.

Session 3: Green finance

• 3.45pm: “The Sustainability Technology Fund”, Beverley Gower-Jones, Carbon Limiting Technologies
• 4.05pm: “A review of early-stage investing in sustainable green SMEs”, Fergus Lyon, Robyn Owen, and Geraldine Brennan, 探花社区 University
• 4.25pm: Round-table discussion
• 4.40pm: Close.

Contacts

Dr Robyn Owen: r.owen@mdx.ac.uk 
Dr Ciarán Mac an Bhaird: ciaran.macanbhaird@dcu.ie 

Commissioned by: Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Research and Knowledge Exchange Fund
Year: 2010

This research examined how the financial crisis affected access to finance among technology-based small firms in the UK.

It also investigated public programmes introduced to address the equity finance gap.

The study included:

• 100 interviews with owners and managers of technology-based small firms
• interviews with venture capital organisations
• interviews with business angel syndicates
• interviews with banks
• interviews with public venture capital and loan funds.

The research covered five English regions and Scotland.

Findings

Young and established technology-based firms generally performed well between 2007 and 2010. However, access to debt and equity finance became more difficult.

Restricted access to finance limited business growth in 36% of cases. One-third of respondents expected access to finance to remain difficult during the following one or two years.

The findings indicated a growing need for public intervention.

Read the report here

 

Client: Lincolnshire Business Link

This research examined how to identify start-ups with high growth potential, understand their distinctive support needs, and develop a dedicated support programme.

The methodology included:

• 60 interviews with key stakeholders
• a telephone survey of 100 young, high-growth businesses
• 20 case studies.

The principal output was a regional strategy for supporting start-ups with high growth potential.

Contact CEEDR for more information.

 

Commissioned by: Research England and British Business Bank
Research lead: SQW

This project examined the support environment that encourages entrepreneurship around universities.

The research included a literature review of the entrepreneurial university ecosystem, with particular attention to London. It examined:

• networking
• business support
• access to finance.

The 探花社区 team included Robyn Owen and Fergus Lyon from CEEDR, alongside Hsing-Fen Lee and Simon Best from MLO.

Commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

This study assessed four government funds introduced after 2006 to address gaps in the supply of finance to SMEs:

• Enterprise Capital Funds
• Capital for Enterprise Fund
• Aspire Fund
• Finance South East Accelerator Fund, part of the Early Growth Funds.

These commercially focused venture capital funds combined public and private investment. They provided SMEs with equity and mezzanine finance, generally within an identified funding gap of up to £2 million.

The research included detailed interviews with fund managers and 51 applicant businesses, including some whose applications were unsuccessful.

Findings

The study found that the funds:

• met demand for modest amounts of equity finance
• had strong finance and project additionality
• helped businesses attract further investment from other sources.

Client: Research England
Research partner: SQW

This six-month project examined the role and effects of university-led entrepreneurial ecosystems in major European universities and their surrounding cities and regions.

The study used London, Cambridge, and Oxford as three principal UK ecosystems. Researchers developed a method for comparing activity and impact across leading European universities specialising in entrepreneurship, science, and technology.

Selected comparator cases were examined through:

• interviews with key stakeholders
• background data
• qualitative assessment of institutional practice.

The research aimed to improve understanding of how university research and teaching produce benefits for local industries.

Commissioned by: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Dates: 2018-2021

CEEDR contributed to the national evaluation of the £2.8 billion English European Regional Development Fund programme for 2014-2020.

The research was undertaken through a consortium led by Regeneris, with BMG and Belmana.

CEEDR and 探花社区 University contributed expertise in:

• SME innovation
• business finance
• business support
• low-carbon adoption
• social inclusion.

CEEDR led the qualitative case-study research. Colleagues from 探花社区 University Business School advised on the econometric analysis.

Client: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

CEEDR contributed to a six-year evaluation of the UK Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

The £2.3 billion Fund supported projects intended to promote sustainable economic growth and employment across England. It aimed to rebalance the economy and support places with a strong dependence on public sector employment.

The evaluation team included:

• IFF Research
• Belmana
• the University of the West of England
• researchers from across 探花社区 University Business School.

The 探花社区 team included:

• Fergus Lyon
• Ian Vickers
• James Derbyshire
• Michela Vecchi.

The evaluation examined support helping businesses access finance and grow.

It developed methods for:

• matching large business datasets
• combining administrative data with survey evidence
• examining complex interventions through case studies
• assessing infrastructure support in particular locations.

Commissioned by: Youth Business International
Dates: January 2016 to July 2017

The Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR) and the Department of Leadership, Work and Organisations at 探花社区 University conducted this global research project with Youth Business International.

The project examined how volunteer business mentoring supported young entrepreneurs. It considered the effects on:

• business creation and development
• personal development
• entrepreneurial journeys.

The findings informed Youth Business International’s Global Growth Strategy.

The longitudinal research involved its global network of 46 independent non-profit organisations across 42 countries. These organisations provided integrated support to underserved young entrepreneurs.

The project aimed to produce high-quality academic research and influence youth entrepreneurship policy and practice globally.

The core research team included:

• Dr Julie Haddock-Millar, Principal Investigator
• Dr Leandro Sepulveda, Co-Principal Investigator
• Dr Robyn Owen, Co-Investigator
• Chandana Sanyal, Co-Investigator
• Professor Stephen Syrett, Project Director.

At the time of the research, Youth Business International aimed to support 100,000 young entrepreneurs each year by 2020 through an evidence-led approach.

Client: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Research partner: BMG Research

Building on earlier research into UK SMEs’ routes to external finance, this study examined the finance available to innovative businesses.

It considered whether businesses at different stages of development required different forms of finance according to the nature and extent of their innovation.

The research involved:

• a literature review
• statistical modelling
• large-scale analysis of UK secondary data
• detailed interviews with 50 innovative businesses.

The businesses ranged from small employer SMEs to mid-sized businesses.

The study identified gaps in existing knowledge and provided detailed evidence about how innovative businesses seek and obtain external finance.

 

Commissioned by: Department for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland
Research lead: SQW
Partners: University of Glasgow and 探花社区 University
Year commissioned: 2014

This research examined early-stage and growth finance in Northern Ireland.

It aimed to guide the development of finance for businesses with growth potential, focusing particularly on:

• angel investment
• venture capital
• relevant international experience.

The synthesis report presented the principal findings and proposed:

• guiding principles
• strategic recommendations
• specific actions to improve early-stage and growth finance in Northern Ireland.

Commissioned by: 探花社区 University Business School Research and Knowledge Exchange Fund

Year: 2021

CEEDR and GreenFin researchers developed the Green Investment Toolkit for:

• cleantech ventures
• sustainable innovation businesses
• climate impact investors
• accelerators
• business angels
• seed venture capital investors
• accountants
• investment-readiness advisers
• climate advisory organisations.

The toolkit helps entrepreneurs and investors assess green innovation against the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

It directs users towards:

• relevant national baseline datasets
• suitable measures of climate and sustainability impact
• methods for presenting the environmental effects of an innovation.

The toolkit addresses downstream Scope 3 effects arising from the use of products and services. It aims to help ventures and potential investors understand how environmental effects can be defined, measured, and communicated.

Further development involved:

• business case studies, including ShareMyBreak
• impact investors, including Five-Thirteen
• international research with the University of Waikato
• work on an online reference tool and application with the 探花社区 University Faculty of Science and Technology.

Guidance for impact investors and investees

For more information, contact Theresa Harrer or Robyn Owen

Commissioned by: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Published: May 2012

This project provided an early assessment of the UK Innovation Investment Fund.

The government-backed equity finance scheme aimed to address funding gaps affecting early-stage research and development and innovative businesses in:

• low-carbon industries
• life sciences
• digital technologies
• advanced manufacturing.

The fund-of-funds scheme combined public and private investment. It aimed to encourage private equity investment and develop a major European technology venture capital fund.

The Fund was expected to generate up to £3 billion over a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

The research included detailed assessment of:

• 16 successful business applicants
• fund managers
• important market stakeholders.

It provided early evidence about whether the Fund was addressing market failures and contributing to productivity and business growth. The study also established a basis for later evaluation.

Commissioned by: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Published: December 2010

This qualitative study examined 15 mid-cap businesses drawn from the 2010 Finance Survey of Mid-cap Businesses.

Mid-cap businesses were defined as organisations with annual sales turnover between £25 million and £500 million.

The research examined:

• why businesses had been only partly successful or unsuccessful in securing bank finance
• whether recent business performance contributed to financing difficulties
• the terms and conditions attached to finance offers
• the effects of financing difficulties on business performance.

Most businesses obtained at least some finance. In several cases, businesses declined an offer because they considered its terms and conditions unsuitable.

The process of applying for finance had become more demanding. Most participating businesses reported that difficulty accessing finance had affected their performance.

 

CEEDR has influenced government policy concerning SMEs since the early 1990s, particularly in relation to:

• business support
• enterprise policy
• access to finance.

During the past decade, CEEDR has developed particular expertise in financing early-stage innovation and the cleantech sector.

We have worked extensively with:

• the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, formerly the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
  British Business Bank
• Innovate UK
• other government departments
• regional organisations.

Our work includes:

• research for policy, including studies of SME attitudes, experiences, and behaviour
• research into policy, including evaluations of effectiveness, impact, additionality, and value for money.

Business support and policy

Our research for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and its predecessor departments has informed the development of government business support.

Public support for innovation and business outcomes

An Econometric Analysis of Public Support for Innovation on Business Outcomes, published in 2017, identified firms that had received support through 25 government innovation programmes since 2004.

The study examined the effect of support on:

• long-term sales growth
• employment growth
• innovation
• business survival.

Researchers used government administrative datasets and counterfactual impact evaluation methods. Supported firms were compared with matched control groups to isolate the programmes’ effects.

探花社区 University examined knowledge spillovers arising from the programmes.

Finance for innovative businesses

The Innovative Firm’s Journey to Finance, published in 2015, examined 50 UK businesses with high growth potential.

The businesses represented different:

• sectors
• forms of innovation
• stages of business development.

The study identified weaknesses in the UK innovation finance escalator. It introduced the concept of “funding for failure”, where traditional grant funding does not attract sufficient matching or follow-on private investment.

The findings contributed to Innovate UK’s introduction of:

• the Innovation Loans Pilot
• the Investment Accelerator Pilot.

Company listing decisions

Investigation into the Motivations Behind the Listing Decisions of UK Companies, published in 2013, responded to concerns raised by the Kay Review in 2012.

The research found that established listed companies were broadly satisfied with the operation of UK public markets. However, younger companies considering a listing raised concerns about:

• market volatility
• short-term investment behaviour
• the viability of public markets for new entrants.

New Business Link Universal Offer

CEEDR’s 2012 interim assessment of the New Business Link Universal Offer informed changes to the Government’s online business support.

Barriers to business support

The 2011 study Barriers to the Take-up and Use of Business Support used a large survey of organisations that did and did not use external assistance.

It examined support from private and public providers and identified:

• market failures
• barriers to engagement
• unmet or latent demand for business support.

The findings informed the development of government policy.

Growth of mid-sized businesses

Research published in 2011 examined the growth plans and potential of mid-sized businesses.

It identified mixed business performance and recommended that policy support should give greater priority to mid-sized businesses as part of the economic recovery.

Earlier business support research

CEEDR research also:

• informed the early delivery of Business Link services in 2009
• identified effective approaches to engaging social groups underrepresented in entrepreneurship for the South East England Development Agency in 2008.

SME access to finance

Concern about SME access to finance increased after the financial crisis began in 2007 and continued during the Covid-19 pandemic.

CEEDR’s work in this field began with a major 2001 study for the British Bankers’ Association into the financial needs of ethnic minority businesses.

Our research has contributed to policy discussions about:

• market failures affecting different forms of finance
• relationships between entrepreneurs and finance providers
• early-stage innovation finance
• green finance for cleantech businesses.

Growth, productivity, and external finance

Dr Robyn Owen was lead author of a policy brief examining the effects of external finance on SME growth.

The research considered:

• which SMEs seek external finance
• which applicants secure finance
• which businesses are discouraged from applying
• how external finance affects growth.

It drew on:

• the 2015 UK Longitudinal Small Business Survey of 15,502 SMEs
• interviews with six senior employees at Oxford Innovation who supported high-growth businesses seeking finance.

The research provided contemporary evidence and identified implications for policy.

Dr Owen also led a follow-up study, . Published by the Enterprise Research Centre as Research Paper No. 79 in 2019, it used longitudinal survey data.

The study found that access to finance alone was unlikely to improve SME growth and productivity. Businesses also required continuing support, particularly with financial management.

Public supported venture capital

CEEDR has extensive experience of scoping and evaluating government venture capital programmes introduced after the Global Financial Crisis.

Led by Dr Robyn Owen, this work has focused particularly on financing innovative, early-stage SMEs with high growth potential.

BIS equity scheme initiatives

The  demonstrated:

• the need for public intervention in the early-stage venture capital market
• positive effects on investee businesses.

The findings informed the Coalition Government’s decision to extend the Enterprise Capital Fund, which supported start-up and early-stage investment.

UK Innovation Investment Fund

The , published in 2012, examined the Fund’s role in addressing gaps in the supply of UK equity finance.

The research identified a continuing need for government-backed investment combining public and private finance.

This support was particularly important for innovative businesses in sectors such as life sciences, where investment periods are often longer.

A paper based on the research, written by Dr Robyn Owen and Professor David North, received the best paper award in the finance track at the 2012 Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference in Dublin.

Enterprise Capital Funds and Capital for Enterprise Fund

The interim assessment of the Enterprise Capital Funds and Capital for Enterprise Fund was conducted for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and British Business Bank in 2013–2014.

Led by Dr Robyn Owen, the project provided a mid-term evaluation of government venture capital programmes combining public and private finance.

The research found that the Capital for Enterprise Fund delivered strong effects on employment and business growth during the Global Financial Crisis.

Analysis of 75 SMEs receiving Enterprise Capital Fund equity investment also identified:

• innovation
• employment growth
• sales development
• wider economic multiplier effects.

The findings contributed to HM Treasury’s decision to provide further programme funding of more than £1 billion.

Angel Co-investment Fund

Dr Robyn Owen and Professor Colin Mason of the University of Glasgow evaluated the pilot Angel Co-investment Fund administered by British Business Bank.

The research involved:

• lead angel investors
• SMEs receiving investment
• wider analysis of the investment market.

The findings indicated that the programme addressed funding gaps and increased the scale of investment available through angel syndicates.

SME Finance London

CEEDR and SQW conducted the SME Finance London study in 2013.

The study assessed gaps in the supply of finance to London SMEs and established the case for the subsequent £85 million London Co-investment Fund.

The Fund invested in London-based technology companies seeking Series A finance to support commercialisation.

Equity finance in Northern Ireland

Dr Robyn Owen joined an SQW-led research team examining early-stage and scale-up finance in Northern Ireland.

The research identified:

• strong cross-border links with government venture capital funds
• links with the Halo angel network
• weaker connections with investors and government programmes in Great Britain.

Regional Investment Funds

Dr Robyn Owen worked with SQW on early and interim evaluations of British Business Bank’s Regional Investment Funds.

These funds have supported the UK Government’s regional economic policy since 2017.

The first evaluation covered:

• Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund
• Midlands Engine Investment Fund
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund.

The early assessment took place between 2018 and 2020, with interim evaluations planned for 2021 to 2023.

Initial findings identified:

• the broad regional reach of the funds
• the value of British Business Bank’s regional presence
• the importance of referrals from Local Enterprise Partnerships and Growth Hubs.

Green finance and early-stage cleantech innovation

During the past decade, CEEDR’s research into early-stage innovation finance has increasingly focused on green finance and the financing of cleantech innovation.

Dr Robyn Owen led this work while serving as a Research Fellow at the ESRC Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity between 2016 and 2021.

Investment Accelerator evaluation

Dates: 2018-2020
Research lead: SQW
探花社区 researcher: Dr Robyn Owen

This work provided an early assessment of Innovate UK’s Investment Accelerator Pilot.

The programme aimed to increase private equity investment in early-stage SME innovation relating to:

• health
• low-carbon transport
• infrastructure.

It supported businesses beyond the initial proof-of-concept and seed-funding stage. Its funding model matched grants with private venture capital investment.

The research included:

• evidence from finance providers
• around 40 beneficiary businesses
• linked Beauhurst data
• econometric analysis
• counterfactual surveys.

The research found that the co-financing model worked effectively. It also identified a need to:

• extend the programme to other types of investor
• provide larger amounts of follow-on finance.

The programme increased from £50 million to £75 million and expanded to include regional business angels and larger funding rounds.

Sustainable productivity and the low-carbon economy

Client: ESRC Productivity Insights Network
Year: 2020

Redefining SME Productivity Measurement and Assessment for a Low Carbon Economy examined the financing of early-stage cleantech innovation in the UK.

The study investigated the relationship between:

• measures of environmental impact
• investors’ decisions to finance cleantech SMEs.

The report identified:

• a lack of consistent government messaging about environmental investment
• limited coordination between government agencies
• differences in expectations between private investors and cleantech businesses.

It concluded that clearer government policy and more effective specialist support could create a more efficient cleantech finance escalator and increase low-carbon impact.

Financing high-technology SMEs

Research into the effects of the financial crisis on technology-based small firms identified a widening finance gap and reinforced the importance of publicly supported programmes.

Comparative research with New Zealand, conducted with Professor David Deakins, led to Professor David North presenting findings at a policy symposium and to the New Zealand Ministry of Science and Innovation in 2011.

Access to bank finance

A study of Scottish SMEs for the Scottish Government in 2007 found little evidence that businesses with strong proposals were being refused finance.

However, it identified issues concerning relationships between banks and SME owners and managers.

Mid-cap businesses

Research into mid-cap businesses’ difficulty raising bank finance, conducted for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in 2010, found that restricted access constrained the development of a comparatively small number of successful and moderately performing firms.

The Minister for Business and Enterprise reported the findings in a departmental press release on 30 December 2010.

Commissioned by: Innovate UK
Dates: 2017-2019
Programme value: £50 million

This project evaluated Innovate UK’s Innovation Loans Pilot, which provided substantial loans to SMEs through a competitive application process.

The programme expected to provide median loans of £300,000 to around 165 SMEs during its two-year pilot. Loans were expected to be repaid within 10 years.

The peer-reviewed evaluation used several methods to examine:

• demand for loans
• the application process
• the applicant journey
• funding additionality
• early effects on innovation.

The research included:

• longitudinal quantitative surveys
• qualitative case studies of beneficiary SMEs
• evidence from unsuccessful applicants to support counterfactual analysis.

Commissioned by: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Year: 2012
Research partner: BMG Research

This study assessed the use of the new Business Link website and telephone helpline.

Researchers conducted a large-scale computer-assisted telephone survey involving:

• 1,001 SME users
• 507 non-users.

The survey provided statistically robust evidence about the use of the digital and telephone services.

A further 52 detailed telephone interviews were conducted with users of:

• My New Business
• Growth and Improvement Service.

These interviews examined:

• website design
• usability
• patterns of use
• initial effects on businesses.

Client: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Reporting to: British Business Bank
Dates: 2013-2014
Research partner: BMG Research

This project evaluated two government venture capital funds:

• Enterprise Capital Funds
• Capital for Enterprise Fund.

BMG Research conducted around 100 computer-assisted telephone interviews with senior directors of businesses receiving investment. The sample also included a small control group of businesses that had come close to receiving funding.

The survey examined:

• the funding process
• effects on participating businesses
• wider economic effects
• value for money.

The supply-side research included interviews with:

• 17 participating fund managers
• eight private venture capital and angel investment organisations
• six industry experts, including representatives of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association and the UK Business Angels Association.

The research found that both schemes addressed gaps in the UK equity finance market and contributed to the development of UK seed and venture capital markets.

The effects on investment returns remained uncertain because the Global Financial Crisis had weakened exit markets.

Contact CEEDR for more information.

Commissioned by: UK Research and Innovation
Dates: 2018-2020

This project evaluated the UKRI Investment Accelerator Pilot.

The programme supported SME research and development projects in health, life sciences, and infrastructure. It linked businesses with investor partners providing matched finance, often through convertible loans.

The evaluation covered:

• the competition and funding process
• funding additionality
• initial effects on approximately 40 SME beneficiaries
• econometric analysis using linked data.

Researchers used:

• surveys
• longitudinal case studies
• counterfactual surveys of unsuccessful applicants.

Commissioned by: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

This research examined the factors affecting UK companies’ decisions to list on public markets and the associated corporate governance issues.

The study responded to concerns raised by the Kay Review in 2012 about:

• market volatility
• short-term investment behaviour
• the attractiveness of public markets to investors and new companies.

The research focused mainly on UK-owned mid-sized businesses with sales turnover between £25 million and £500 million. It also included smaller businesses growing rapidly towards this level.

Researchers considered differences in:

• size
• sector
• location
• age
• growth ambitions.

The study compared:

1. companies listed for a long period
2. recently listed companies
3. recently delisted companies
4. long-term unlisted public and private companies.

Established listed companies were generally satisfied with the operation of UK markets. Younger companies considering a listing raised concerns about volatility and market viability.

The findings suggested that government could support greater market stability and longer investment periods.

Commissioned by: Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
Published: January 2009

This report reviewed evidence about the challenges and opportunities facing UK SMEs during the transition to a low-carbon economy.

It considered the need for collective action in response to climate change and the transition towards greater resource efficiency.

Although relatively little research focused specifically on SMEs in a low-carbon economy, the review identified a substantial body of relevant academic and policy literature.

The report concluded that the aims of a low-carbon economy should be closely connected with sustainable development, combining economic development with environmental and social sustainability.

Commissioned by: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Year: 2011

This qualitative study examined the performance and growth ambitions of 35 UK mid-sized businesses with annual sales turnover between £25 million and £100 million.

It considered internal and external barriers to growth, including:

• management capability
• access to finance
• differences between family-owned businesses and other mid-sized firms.

Larger, export-oriented, and venture capital-backed businesses performed particularly well. Family-owned businesses generally followed more conservative growth strategies and achieved moderate performance.

Performance varied significantly between sectors. Construction and property-related businesses faced particular difficulties.

Growth was also closely related to the company’s stage in its product, service, or project development cycle.

Participating businesses did not report major immediate problems accessing finance. However:

• some had lost trade because their customers could not obtain finance
• several were concerned about a further economic downturn.

 

Commissioned by: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

This research tested the early stages of the customer journey for businesses seeking advice from Business Link.

It examined:

• responsiveness
• professionalism
• timeliness.

Researchers recruited 159 businesses with genuine advice needs to act as mystery shoppers.

Each business was interviewed after successive stages of the customer journey, including:

• an initial telephone or email enquiry
• follow-up telephone calls
• a face-to-face meeting with an adviser, where appropriate.

Businesses represented five scenarios:

1. a business seeking growth
2. a business seeking finance or working capital
3. a declining business or one seeking recovery support
4. a business seeking training
5. a new business.

The findings showed broad satisfaction with the service. Most dissatisfaction arose from failures in communication during the initial stages.

Satisfaction generally increased as businesses progressed through the customer journey.

Read the report here

 

Client: 探花社区 University Business School Research and Knowledge Exchange Fund
Duration: Six months

This project examined why early-stage impact investors and entrepreneurs find it difficult to assess and develop a credible green purpose.

Building on the 2020 ESRC Productivity Insights Network project, the research tested whether a toolkit could support:

• climate-focused ventures
• impact investors
• early-stage angel and venture capital investors
• business support providers.

Researchers worked with several stakeholders and selected early-stage ventures.

The research tracked difficulties in understanding and demonstrating the environmental sustainability of a venture. It identified problems in defining, measuring, and communicating green impact.

The team refined the toolkit in response to the needs of investors and ventures.

The toolkit has since been used by organisations connected with the Mayor of London’s cleantech cluster. It has also informed work in New Zealand with the University of Waikato.

Client: ESRC Productivity Insights Network
Duration: Six months

This project examined how to measure sustainable productivity.

It connected two UK Government policy priorities:

• increasing productivity
• supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.

The research focused on:

• finance for green and cleantech innovation
• environmental measures used by impact investors
• measures used in government programme evaluations.

It aimed to develop more effective measures of sustainable productivity that could support future government policy and encourage impact investment.

The work also informed the blog Why Cleantech Investment Should Be a High Priority Now and After COVID-19, written by Dr Robyn Owen and Theresia Harrer.

For more information, contact Professor Robyn Owen at r.owen@mdx.ac.uk.

Commissioned by: British Business Bank
Dates: 2018-2020

This project provided early-stage and interim evaluations of three UK Government Regional Investment Funds:

• Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund, £400 million
• Midlands Engine Investment Fund, £250 million
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Investment Fund, £40 million.

The funds supported early-stage and scale-up development among SMEs with high growth potential.

The project developed a multimethod evaluation comprising:

• qualitative process evaluation
• quantitative surveys
• counterfactual econometric modelling
• longitudinal case studies of supported businesses.

The research assessed:

• programme impact
• additionality
• value for money.

It covered loan, equity, and mezzanine finance in different English regions.

Commissioned by: Office of Government Commerce, HM Treasury, and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

The Glover Review examined the role of SMEs in delivering public services, the barriers they faced, and government action to reduce those barriers.

At the time, limited evidence was available about:

• the number of SMEs supplying the public sector
• the scale of their contribution
• SME participation through subcontracting.

Differences in the definitions of an SME created further measurement problems.

The research aimed to:

1. identify and assess existing data about SMEs and public services
2. identify and assess relevant research
3. review the scope and principal findings of existing evidence
4. identify gaps in research and data.

Contact CEEDR for more information.

Commissioned by: Scottish Government

This study examined whether SMEs’ difficulty accessing finance resulted from:

• weaknesses in the business cases presented to finance providers
• lending practices that rejected potentially viable proposals.

The research considered:

• bank lending practices
• credit-scoring methods
• differences by business sector, size, and age
• the gender of the business owner.

Contact CEEDR for more information.

Client: EXACT
Initial period: Two quarters in 2014

This pilot project examined small-business efficiency for a commercial client.

Researchers designed a quarterly online survey of 750 UK SMEs. The survey created an Index of Business Efficiency and explored a specialist subject in each quarter.

The third quarter of 2014 focused on time management and included follow-up business case studies.

A short white-paper report was produced after each survey, highlighting issues for UK SMEs.

Commissioned by: Greater London Authority
Year: 2013
Research partners: CEEDR and SQW

This research examined gaps in the provision of finance to London SMEs.

It supported the Greater London Authority and London Enterprise Panel in developing an SME finance programme using £25 million from the Growing Places Fund.

The research included:

• a review of current London and UK SME finance data
• interviews with debt and equity finance providers
• a small number of business case studies.

Findings

London differed substantially from the rest of the UK. Its SME population had:

• high rates of business creation and closure
• a larger proportion of young businesses with high growth
• strong activity among technology businesses in Tech City.

Although London had greater access to financial institutions and equity investment than other UK regions, the research identified several finance gaps:

• start-up and early-stage debt
• mezzanine finance for business restructuring
• finance for established businesses with lower growth
• small early-stage equity investments
• larger follow-on equity investments.

The report recommended a flexible equity fund to support young London businesses with high growth potential and encourage private investment through co-financing.

The UK has a substantial social enterprise sector. These organisations reinvest income in social purposes, communities, environmental objectives, and improved life chances.

Since 2000, CEEDR researchers and postgraduate students have contributed to research into this sector.

Research leadership

CEEDR has conducted social enterprise research for several government departments.

It was the social enterprise lead within the Economic and Social Research Council’s Third Sector Research Centre. It also led the ESRC Social Enterprise Research Capacity Building Cluster.

Further research examined social enterprises and mutual organisations created as spin-outs from the public sector.

CEEDR’s work aims to inform government policy and support social and sustainable enterprises.

The research also contributes to:

• CEEDR courses
• guest teaching across 探花社区 University Business School
• the Centre’s PhD programme.

Selected projects

• Evaluation of the Regional Growth Fund
  Client: Department for Innovation and Skills
• Financing social ventures and demand for social investment
  Client: ESRC Third Sector Research Centre
• Growth strategies of environmentally motivated social enterprises
  Client: ESRC Third Sector Research Centre
• Evaluation of the Data Lab Project, 2013–2016
  Client: New Philanthropy Capital
• Evaluation of the School for Social Entrepreneurs Core Programmes, 2013–2017
  Client: School for Social Entrepreneurs
• Social enterprise models for health and social care services, 2012–2014
  Client: Knowledge Transfer Partnership with HCCT, London
• Social Enterprise Research Capacity Building Cluster
  Clients: ESRC and Cabinet Office
• Third Sector Research Centre
  Clients: ESRC and Cabinet Office
• The role of mutuals in public service innovation
  Clients: ESRC, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and Nesta
• Social enterprises and the Big Society
  Clients: ESRC and Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Social Enterprise Investment Fund
  Client: Department of Health
• Review of social value measurement
  Client: Citizens Advice Bureau
• Evaluation of the School for Social Entrepreneurs Right to Request Support Programme
  Client: School for Social Entrepreneurs
• Supporting scale-up and social franchising
  Client: Knowledge Transfer Partnership with London Early Years Foundation
• Developing environmental social enterprise
  Client: Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Social Enterprise East Midlands
• Joining the Dots: Social Impact Measurement
  Client: East of England Development Agency
• Evaluation of the Innovation Exchange Brokerage Model
  Client: Innovation Exchange
• Alternative approaches to capacity building
  Clients: Capacitybuilders and Cabinet Office.

Commissioned by: Sussex Enterprise Services Ltd and the South East England Development Agency

This research informed the development of the Business Link Enterprise Gateway Service in South East England.

The service aimed to:

• increase awareness of enterprise and self-employment
• make pre-start support more accessible
• engage disadvantaged communities and groups underrepresented in enterprise.

These groups included:

• ethnic minority communities
• recently arrived EU migrants
• lone parents
• women returning to work
• young people
• people aged over 50
• people experiencing long-term unemployment
• disabled people
• people with previous convictions
• rural communities.

The research strengthened the evidence available to the service by examining:

• how support should be targeted
• which methods worked for different groups and locations
• barriers and success factors affecting service delivery
• effective marketing and outreach methods.

Contact CEEDR for more information.