Partner with us
Work with us to back more social entrepreneurs
For nearly two decades, Firstport has co-designed and co-delivered programmes with partners, helping thousands of social entrepreneurs turn ideas into lasting impact.
Three ways to work together
Refer someone
For business advisers, councils, universities and support organisations
Send social entrepreneurs our way with a link or a one-pager.
How to referCo-deliver a programme
For support organisations
Design and run programmes together, like Boost Invest with PNE.
Talk to usOffer specialist support
For accountants, coaches and consultants
Join the network of specialists our advisors signpost to.
Join the network
Refer a social entrepreneur
The entrepreneur gets in touch themselves, so no one's personal details are passed on.
Share a link
Three questions point them to the right fund, advice or programme.
Hand over a one-pager
What Firstport offers, on one printable page.
Prototype: prints this page. The full build has a designed one-pager.
Our partners
Meet the partners
22 partners
The Scottish Government
Funders
Partners with Firstport through its 10-year Social Enterprise Strategy.
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Funders
Supports culture, arts, media, sport, tourism and civil society.
People's Postcode Lottery
Funders
A subscription lottery raising money for charities; its players fund Boost Invest.
Just Enterprise
Delivery partners
The Scottish Government-funded support programme behind Firstport's start-up advice.
PNE
Delivery partners
Powering North East Enterprise, Firstport's partner on Boost Invest and the Boost Fund.
Social Enterprise Academy
Delivery partners
Learning programmes through social franchising and impact partnerships.
Social Investment Scotland
Delivery partners
One of Scotland's leading social investors, offering loans and business support.
Democratic Finance Scotland
Delivery partners
Helps community-led organisations raise finance through community shares and bonds.
The Ventures Lab
Delivery partners
Works with university spinouts and purpose-led entrepreneurs.
Dechomai
Delivery partners
Empowers global majority entrepreneurs through idea support and enterprise development.
CEMVO
Delivery partners
A national intermediary and strategic partner of the Scottish Government Equality Unit.
Challenges Group
Delivery partners
An international enterprise development organisation; co-delivers Ready to RISE.
CEIS
Delivery partners
One of Scotland's leading social enterprise support agencies.
Àrachas³
Specialist support
Specialised business support for mission-driven businesses.
Àrrivo Consulting
Specialist support
Programme and project evaluation for government, public and third sector clients.
LEx Scotland
Specialist support
Leadership coaching and guidance on inclusive business practices.
Social Enterprise Accountancy Scotland
Specialist support
Financial support for social enterprises across Scotland.
Zebra Growth
Specialist support
A regenerative marketing agency for purpose-driven organisations.
Social Enterprise Scotland
Network and community
An independent, membership-led body representing social enterprises.
Impact Hub Inverness
Network and community
A co-working space supporting local businesses in Inverness.
Social Stories Club
Network and community
An ethical gifting company filled with products from social enterprises.
Wild & Kind
Network and community
Empowers underrepresented creatives and neurodivergent people through community projects.
Partnerships in action
Boost Invest, with PNE
Investment readiness in the North East, funded by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and delivered with PNE, Northeast Business Innovation Centre, Social Enterprise Acumen and Social Enterprise Academy.
Access Catalyst, with Dechomai
Built on the Access Report with Dechomai and Social Investment Scotland, and co-designed with global majority-led organisations.
What we stand for
Our six strategic ambitions
Ambitious
We will deliver high-quality, client-centred support.
Impactful
We will demonstrate the difference we are making.
Influential
We will build trusting relationships and collaborative, high-performing partnerships.
Innovative
We will inspire innovation in our own work and the pioneering work of others.
Progressive
We will challenge traditional ways of doing business.
Sustainable
We will be socially, environmentally and financially sustainable.
From the Impact Report 2025-26.
Talk about a partnership
This form replaces today’s single email address, so your message reaches the partnerships team directly.