IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, Ashoka, and Social Innovation Circle (SIC) are excited to announce a new collaboration to support social enterprises in their journey towards investment readiness. The Dela Investment Readiness Programme bridges the gap between social entrepreneurs and the financial resources needed to scale their impact.
In 2019, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and Ashoka launched the Dela Accelerator Programme, a global systems change initiative that has since supported over 55 leading social entrepreneurs in developing strategies for greater impact.
The investment readiness programme, which builds upon SIC's substantial experience, will support five social enterprises in the Dela network: Enaleia, Fundación Gastronomía Social, Hola Vivi, Modelo Sinapsis, and Sea Ranger Service.
Key components of the programme include collective webinars, one-on-one coaching, Ask Me Anything sessions and post-programme support. Webinars cover essential topics such as blended finance, impact-driven growth strategies, business planning, financial modelling, and investor negotiations. During one-on-one coaching, SIC experts support participants in refining business plans, creating investment-ready financial models, and developing key investor materials, such as pitch decks and term sheets.
The programme addresses the unique needs of social enterprises by offering tailored support, hands-on coaching, and a network-driven approach. It strengthens their ability to secure the funding needed to scale their impact.
María Zapata, Executive Director of Ashoka ASPIRe and Co-Founder of Ashoka Globalizer, highlights the importance of this initiative, "Social enterprises offer investors the unique opportunity to achieve both financial returns and meaningful social impact. However, many struggle to translate their mission into investor-ready financial models and business strategies. By bridging this gap, the Dela Investment Readiness Programme unlocks their potential to attract capital, scale sustainably, and drive lasting social change."
The Social Innovation Circle team is equally enthusiastic about the partnership. A spokesperson from SIC shares, "The Social Innovation Circle team is very excited to collaborate with Ashoka and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV to support leading social enterprises from around the world in thinking about how to finance their growth. We feel privileged to work with such systemic solutions and look forward to supporting them through a unique programme, focused specifically on how to fund systems change, using SIC's approach honed from years of working with systems change entrepreneurs."
Åsa Skogström Feldt, Managing Director at IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV, adds, "Social enterprises are driving change through social innovation, but access to funding remains a challenge. Through the Dela Investment Readiness Programme, we're reinforcing our commitment to supporting the inspiring entrepreneurs in the Dela network to navigate that journey—so they can focus on what they do best: solving some of the world's most pressing issues."
In 2019, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and Ashoka launched the Dela Accelerator Programme, a global systems change initiative that has since supported over 55 leading social entrepreneurs in developing strategies for greater impact.
The investment readiness programme, which builds upon SIC's substantial experience, will support five social enterprises in the Dela network: Enaleia, Fundación Gastronomía Social, Hola Vivi, Modelo Sinapsis, and Sea Ranger Service.
Addressing a key challenge for social enterprises
Despite their innovative solutions and transformative potential, one of the biggest challenges for social enterprises is accessing the funding necessary for long-term growth. Traditional start-ups often attract venture capital and mainstream investments, but many investors still perceive social enterprises as high-risk. While the global impact investment market has grown significantly, many social enterprises struggle to secure the necessary capital. Recognising these challenges, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship and Ashoka have teamed up with Social Innovation Circle to develop the Dela Investment Readiness Programme.A structured approach to investment readiness
The six-month programme offers a structured and hands-on approach to preparing social enterprises for investment. By combining expert guidance, peer learning, and tailored coaching, the programme ensures that social enterprises gain the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to secure funding.Key components of the programme include collective webinars, one-on-one coaching, Ask Me Anything sessions and post-programme support. Webinars cover essential topics such as blended finance, impact-driven growth strategies, business planning, financial modelling, and investor negotiations. During one-on-one coaching, SIC experts support participants in refining business plans, creating investment-ready financial models, and developing key investor materials, such as pitch decks and term sheets.
The programme addresses the unique needs of social enterprises by offering tailored support, hands-on coaching, and a network-driven approach. It strengthens their ability to secure the funding needed to scale their impact.
A collaborative effort to drive systems change
This collaboration brings together three organisations with deep expertise in social innovation and impact investing.María Zapata, Executive Director of Ashoka ASPIRe and Co-Founder of Ashoka Globalizer, highlights the importance of this initiative, "Social enterprises offer investors the unique opportunity to achieve both financial returns and meaningful social impact. However, many struggle to translate their mission into investor-ready financial models and business strategies. By bridging this gap, the Dela Investment Readiness Programme unlocks their potential to attract capital, scale sustainably, and drive lasting social change."
The Social Innovation Circle team is equally enthusiastic about the partnership. A spokesperson from SIC shares, "The Social Innovation Circle team is very excited to collaborate with Ashoka and IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV to support leading social enterprises from around the world in thinking about how to finance their growth. We feel privileged to work with such systemic solutions and look forward to supporting them through a unique programme, focused specifically on how to fund systems change, using SIC's approach honed from years of working with systems change entrepreneurs."
Åsa Skogström Feldt, Managing Director at IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV, adds, "Social enterprises are driving change through social innovation, but access to funding remains a challenge. Through the Dela Investment Readiness Programme, we're reinforcing our commitment to supporting the inspiring entrepreneurs in the Dela network to navigate that journey—so they can focus on what they do best: solving some of the world's most pressing issues."