Our Services
Whether it’s expanding beyond Scotland, locating in Scotland or sharing information on Scotland’s social enterprise ecosystem with individuals from other countries, ISEO has a track record of helping social enterprise growth.
We offer three services to help us achieve our vision, mission and objectives:
Our Services
Expanding beyond Scotland
Are you a Scottish social enterprise that wants to explore the expansion into other countries? We can help
Expanding into Scotland
Are you an international social enterprise that wants to locate in Scotland? Learn about how we can assist.
International Collaboration
Do you want to visit Scotland to find out more about why Scotland’s rich social enterprise ecosystem makes us one of the world leaders for social enterprise development?
No matter what stage you’re at, we will meet with you to discuss your goals, current stage of readiness, and support needs. We will then identify your business development requirements, agree on an action plan, and work with you to make progress in each area.
Our market research provides real-time intelligence on relevant opportunities. We examine the viability of your business and impact models in your target region, so you can expand internationally to address global social, environmental, and economic issues.
Our services include conducting detailed market research, refining ideas, developing robust business and financial models, and creating business plans.
Trading internationally has many legal considerations, which include:
- Due diligence
- Routes to market
- Legal structures
- Contracting
- IP protection
- Duties/taxes
- Banking
- Standards/regulations
- Anti-bribery/corruption policies
Working with our legal partner MacRoberts, one of Scotland’s top independent commercial law firms, we can provide you with expert guidance in these areas.
If you have an idea but lack capacity and resources to develop it, we can provide incubation services which include:
- Office space
- Business support
- Management assistance
- Growth funding and finance
Through our partners The Challenges Group and SEWF, we have access to their extensive experience of providing in-country support and connections to international networks.
The Challenges Group has operated globally for over 20 years across 4 continents, 70+ countries, supporting thousands of enterprises and people. Recently they have partnered with over 750 companies in Sub-Saharan Africa, establishing offices and teams in Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.
SEWF is a key partner of ISEO and specialises in bringing global social enterprises, intermediaries, academics, private and public sector representatives together both digitally and in-person. Each year their events offer an opportunity to network with international attendees, learn and share best practice on key challenges affecting the social enterprise sector.
Once we understand your business potential and the market, we will work with you to identify commercial opportunities. We explore market linkages, partnerships and investment options with our partners to support your international growth.
Our ‘Team Scotland’ approach provides access to the £1.2m Scottish Emerging Economies Investment Facility (SEEIF) fund for international expansion. SEEIF offers Exploration Grants up to £20,000 and long-term loans from £30,000-£150,000 plus support to take your business further or implement your business idea.
Our Partners
