Big Issue Invest
Impact investorLondon · Seed
Also known as Biginvest Company Limited · Shelfco (No.2857) Limited
Investment thesis
Big Issue Invest is a social impact investor backing social enterprises and charities that create solutions to end poverty and inequality in the UK. Founded within the Big Issue Group by impact entrepreneurs John Bird and Nigel Kershaw, it has deployed over £100 million since 2005 across hundreds of mission-aligned organisations. It offers social impact loans, equity and revenue participation (quasi-equity), and blended finance combining loans with grant support. Funding targets communities facing high deprivation, spanning areas such as affordable housing, employment support, and healthcare, and is structured around each organisation's growth plans and financial resilience.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
What they invest in
from 1 of 2 portfolio companiesFintech ×1GovTech ×1Impact & Social Good ×1
HQs:United Kingdom×1
Investments · 2 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathLightning Reach operates a platform that helps individuals in financial hardship access unclaimed benefits, grants, and support in the UK, while enabling support organizations to deliver assistance more efficiently.
FintechGovTechImpact & Social GoodLondon, GB
Charity of the Leicester Riders basketball club running youth engagement, education, health and social inclusion programmes; a BII investee since 2019.
Principals & officers · per Companies House
what is this? ⓘDirector · British · since 2025
Director · British · since 2023
Director · British · since 2026
Director · British · since 2024
Director · British · since 2026
Director · British · since 2020
Director · Ukrainian · since 2026
Director · British · since 2022
Director · German · since 2026
Big Issue Group Limited — 75–100% of shares, 75–100% of voting rights, 75–100% of voting rights, right to appoint and remove directors as firm, significant influence or control as firm
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Big Issue Invest invest at?
- Big Issue Invest invests at the Seed stage.
- What is Big Issue Invest's typical check size?
- Big Issue Invest typically writes checks of $25K – $5M.
- What sectors does Big Issue Invest focus on?
- Big Issue Invest focuses on Impact & Social Good.
- Where is Big Issue Invest located?
- Big Issue Invest is headquartered in London, GB.
Images
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