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At @Catch22, I've been developing something with brilliant partners at @HatchEnterprise & @SocialTechTrust.
We recently won some backing frm @BigSocietyCap. So I thought it'd be a good moment in 22 tweets to set out:
What we are doing
Why?
How? https://twitter.com/BigSocietyCap/status/1386627243640770561
We recently won some backing frm @BigSocietyCap. So I thought it'd be a good moment in 22 tweets to set out:
What we are doing Why? How? https://twitter.com/BigSocietyCap/status/1386627243640770561
What we are doingTo understand what we are doing, we kind of need to go back to the beginning of the story.
Since 2017, @Catch22 has supported 8 social enterprises inc:
@unlockedgrads
@light_houseedu
@LocalVillageNet
@Youthinkcharity
@offploy
@DevieCoach
Our aim was to see how we could use Catch22's resources and infrastructure as a platform to support social innovators like @NPorter83
@inwang & @JacobROHill who are laser-focused on positively transforming the delivery of public services.
@inwang & @JacobROHill who are laser-focused on positively transforming the delivery of public services.
A few years later with @TNLComFund backing, we've supported these organisations to unlock over £20mn & scale their impact across multiple social issues inc.
reforming children's social care
improving rehabilitation
supporting diff groups to find meaningful employment
reforming children's social care improving rehabilitation supporting diff groups to find meaningful employment
This was the first time Catch22 worked in this way & we learnt a tonne (inc. what we could do better):
Partnership - obvious, but supporting social innovation requires heavy-lifting over a long period of time w/ different partners playing to their strengths.
Partnership - obvious, but supporting social innovation requires heavy-lifting over a long period of time w/ different partners playing to their strengths.
B2G - many organisations want to deliver public sector contracts, but find it difficult. Why?
• Unpredictable sales cycles.
• Prerequisites acting as barriers for early-stage organisations.
• Different audiences: govt-as-buyer, citizen as end user all act as barriers).
Investment - at the moment, many social enterprises are shaping their business models in response to the types of capital they can unlock, at the expense of being able to work out what the best business model is for their organisation and desired impact.We need to do better.
Tech - over the past few years, we've met with a lot of organisations with tech solutions.Based on our experiences, we think there need to be more platforms that allow our public services to proactively co-develop these solutions - rather than just being a passive recipient
All of these insights informed plans we're shaping with @HatchEnterprise & @SocialTechTrust.
In a nutshell, we want to support 5-10 organisations with solutions that tackle youth unemployment to access, win and deliver relevant public sector contracts.
In a nutshell, we want to support 5-10 organisations with solutions that tackle youth unemployment to access, win and deliver relevant public sector contracts.
We then want to use the revenue from these contracts to unlock different types of investment to help these organisations to amplify their impact.
Why?Starting with youth unemployment, young people have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic:
• In the UK, under-35s accounted for more than 80 per cent of the fall in the number of employees since last February.
Certain communities are being hit harder:
• @EmploymtStudies research shows Black & Asian young people account for 66% oftotal fall in youth unemployment, despite representing only one-in-eight of all young people in work.
• @EmploymtStudies research shows Black & Asian young people account for 66% oftotal fall in youth unemployment, despite representing only one-in-eight of all young people in work.
Beyond this crisis, young people need support to navigate the future of work.
Think sector skills shortages, insecure work and digital poverty.
What jobs are going to be created, the skills needed and how we work are already rapidly evolving.
Think sector skills shortages, insecure work and digital poverty.
What jobs are going to be created, the skills needed and how we work are already rapidly evolving.
Why the focus on public sector contracts?
Based on our experience, we think public sector procurement is still a relatively untapped route to scale innovative ideas & generate real impact.
And when it comes to youth unemployment, the government is spending billions.
Based on our experience, we think public sector procurement is still a relatively untapped route to scale innovative ideas & generate real impact.
And when it comes to youth unemployment, the government is spending billions.
Supporting diverse organisations to access, win and deliver these contracts is a must.
Because we've seen the power of diversity & of social enterprise.
Products, services & solutions that are co-created & developed by communities experiencing the problems first-hand.
Because we've seen the power of diversity & of social enterprise.
Products, services & solutions that are co-created & developed by communities experiencing the problems first-hand.
Why different types of investment?
We think there is an opportunity to use public sector contracting revenues to unlock different types of investment (i.e. revenue-based investing) - which may be more appropriate and accessible for some of the organisations we want to work with.
We think there is an opportunity to use public sector contracting revenues to unlock different types of investment (i.e. revenue-based investing) - which may be more appropriate and accessible for some of the organisations we want to work with.
How?Well, we plan to run a pilot programme & develop a proof of concept fund.
With @BigSocietyCap support in the coming months, we'll be developing and sharing our plans in public.
Each partner is bringing some of their magic sauce to the table:
@Catch22 - public sector contracting expertise.
@HatchEnterprise - kick-ass experience, supporting diverse founders & ventures.
@SocialTechTrust - investor expertise & knowledge of developing tech ventures.
@Catch22 - public sector contracting expertise. @HatchEnterprise - kick-ass experience, supporting diverse founders & ventures.@SocialTechTrust - investor expertise & knowledge of developing tech ventures.
Together, we hope to:
• create a pathway to scale innovative solutions that tackle youth unemployment through public procurement
• develop & share learnings on how best to support organisations to win these sort of opportunities.
There is a very long way to go...
• create a pathway to scale innovative solutions that tackle youth unemployment through public procurement
• develop & share learnings on how best to support organisations to win these sort of opportunities.
There is a very long way to go...
But if you are interested in learning more, getting involved, and you are a:
• Social enterprise/venture - signup here for more info: https://catchxhatch.hatchenterprise.org/
[p.s. website needs updating to reflect evolving partnership.]
• Social enterprise/venture - signup here for more info: https://catchxhatch.hatchenterprise.org/
[p.s. website needs updating to reflect evolving partnership.]
• Investor/funder - DM me, I'd love to chat.
• Potential partner - DM me, I'd also love to chat!
FYI: partners in crime are the ace @evans_eddy, @hilslaing, @_startupninja_ @katdixon2012 & @IlicMat.
Finally, thanks to @amirriz1, Camilla Parke & Jo Heywood for your support...
• Potential partner - DM me, I'd also love to chat!
FYI: partners in crime are the ace @evans_eddy, @hilslaing, @_startupninja_ @katdixon2012 & @IlicMat.
Finally, thanks to @amirriz1, Camilla Parke & Jo Heywood for your support...
... as well as those who took the time to review over 100+ applications 
@benpfsmith
@matthewbowcock
Sarah Colston at @si_access
Liz Hayes @connectfund
Celia Hannon @nesta_uk
Paul Nicoll @TriodosIM
@Camilladolan
@_AndrewCroft
@JuneOSullivan
@bonniesychiu
@benpfsmith
@matthewbowcock
Sarah Colston at @si_access
Liz Hayes @connectfund
Celia Hannon @nesta_uk
Paul Nicoll @TriodosIM
@Camilladolan
@_AndrewCroft
@JuneOSullivan
@bonniesychiu
