Social investments

As of 2022, the University had committed to invest £8 million in social investments for the benefit of society. A total of £6 million has been invested by the end of this academic year.

The University has invested in the following social enterprises and social investment funds as of April 2022. 

Fair by Design - energy bill on radiator
  • £2 million in BlackRock Global Impact Fund
  • £1 million in the Big Issue Investment Social Investment Fund 2
  • £1 million in Scottish Growth Fund 2 managed by Social Investment Scotland
  • £1 million in Social and Sustainable Capital for the Simon Community investment
  • £500,000 in Big Issue Invest Power Up Scotland
  • £250,000 in the Fair by Design Partnership 
  • £250,000 in Growth Partnership Training for Change Social Impact Investment Partnership
  • £50,000 in Prosper Social Finance.

Investing in tech-for-good start-ups

The Fair By Design Fund invests in tech-for-good start-ups that are focused on reducing key aspects of the Poverty Premium. The Poverty Premium is the extra cost that each year, people in the UK on the lowest incomes pay for essentials, such as electricity, gas and insurance, due to market failures that increase the cost of these services.  

The University’s funding, alongside other investors, will enable Fair By Design to increase the number of start-ups they support, giving greater scope for exploring and tackling Poverty Premiums, both by deepening work on existing premiums (such as financial services and energy) and making investments in a wider range of premiums (such as food and transport). 

Social investments

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