‘Business for Social Impact’
Incubator Programme
SECAD, Midleton
January – May 2020
Are you passionate about solving a social issue?
Applications are now open for our 4-month peer-learning programme that includes:
• educational workshops,
• sessions with consultants,
• connections,
• mentorship,
• personal journey support
and finishes off in a public showcase day to promote the projects.
ISBC incubator is unique, because it was designed specifically to create and develop sustainable businesses that make positive social impact.
Applications closing Date: Monday, 16 December 2019
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Should YOU apply?
Whatever the back story you come with, our focus is on what you are now doing and where you want to go.
Are you passionate about creating real social change?
Is your business start-up driven by a strong social goal?
Is your socially focused group evolving into significant business-like activity?
Do you see an opportunity to do something meaningful but not certain how to proceed?
Are you struggling to balance the social impact that drives you with “hard business needs”?
In doing simply what matters to you, have you found yourself becoming “the leader” for others around you?
What are the reasons to join?
ISBC programme provides a space to discover the possibilities, explore different revenue streams, look at the bigger picture – to focus on what’s important rather than what’s urgent. It is also a great chance to become part of a group of like-minded people and access valuable advice from experts.
8 Half-day Workshops
The initial part of the programme is a series of collective workshops, run on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings for 4 consecutive weeks at SECAD, Midleton (exact schedule to be confirmed).
You will be working with a small group of fellow social entrepreneurs – focusing on your own individual enterprise, but also expected to contribute to the others.
One-To-One Sessions with Consultants
Our aim is not to “show” how to build a social enterprise, but rather to be there to support you in your journey towards the destination YOU want, that is right for YOU and of YOUR choosing. Whether it is strategy session or marketing support – we have experts on hand to help with YOUR project.
Access to Support Network
As history shows, the biggest successes come from collaboration. What makes the ISBC programme strong is our ability to connect emerging social entrepreneurs with those who can help them – whether it is another social entrepreneur, a business advisor, a potential founder or a mentor.
Support on Your Personal Journey
Marketing Package
Pitch Preparation
Hot Desk
Participants will receive shared access to a hot desk facilities at SECAD in Midleton for the duration of the programme.
Showcase Event
At the end of the programme – in May, we will celebrate the effort and progress made by participants, by organising a Showcase Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to show the world (often for the first time) the positive impact you make! 
Meet Like-Minded People
If you are tired of thinking “there’s no point explaining, they won’t get it” – this programme is for you. You will be surrounded by people who are amazingly passionate and we’re sure they’ll get it. And they will be happy to listen, help and support you.
What we cover?
ISBC Incubator Programme covers all key areas of developing a social enterprise.
There is no right way – only your way. Setting up and developing a social enterprise is always a unique journey and ISBC helps those on their journey in a way that works for them – on both personal and enterprise level.
Your Commitement
There is no financial cost for the participants, but we can’t say it’s free…
We ask you to fully commit to participation.
It’s not an easy ask – if you are going to give proper time to this challenge, you have to stop doing something else. There are still seven days in a week after you embark on the programme, just like before. Your presence at the 8 workshops held on Fridays/Saturdays/Sundays is crucial.
We also ask you to:
• Willingly share with your fellow participants
• Commit to upholding the integrity of the programme to your fellow participants
• Respect all involved, as you expect others to respect you
• Enjoy and contribute as best you can
Application Process & Key Dates
What matters to us is your passion for making positive change.
Our application process reflects that – we ask you to fill out a short application form and then we will meet the applicants for an informal chat over a coffee to see if we would be a good fit for each other.
Here is our tentative schedule:
Applications closing date is Friday, December 6th, 2019.
Informal interviews will be held in December 2019.
The programme launch event will take place on Wednesday, January 22nd.
First part of the programme will consist of 8 modules - covered during 4 weekends (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) sessions at SECAD in Midleton, starting on Friday, January 24th.
Second part of the programme will consist of individual work and one-to-one support.
Showcase Day will take place late May 2020 to promote the projects and celebrate the progress made.
What our past participants say?
ISBC Incubator Programme was successfully piloted for 3 years by BNest in partnership with Nexus Innovation Centre, University of Limerick, where nearly 40 participants completed the programme. They all enjoyed and certainly got something out of it.
The programme is delivered in a practical manner and allowed clarity to unfold over the course of our voyage whilst providing objectivity on each step.
Hugely beneficial program.
BNest helped me see what it was I really wanted to do and gave me a helping hand that I needed.
with humanity, supportive of change and redirection, and defined by shared good will, support and the friendship of many.
has been an amazing experience. It has enabled me to think about what I am capable of and how I can develop my project to make a difference in the community.
It has helped to clarify a lot of issues I had at the time.
I’m much clearer on where to go next – our vision is much brighter – you couldn’t buy that!
You couldn’t put a price on thee value we’ve got from BNest Programme.
I also love the fact that the BNest doors are still open for me, even after the programme has finished I can still turn to them for any advice I might need.
It’s Not The Idea, It’s What You Do With It
You’ve got that far – is it safe to say you ARE passionate about solving a social issue?
Do have an idea? Is it more than just idea already?
If you do have a passion for changing things for better – please get in touch, by filling out our short application form. Don’t worry about it too much – it’s just the way to start the conversation and help us understand a little what are you trying to do. Once you fill out the applilcation – we will then meet over a cup of coffee to see if we’re good fit for each other.
Let’s make the real change happen.