The Entrepreneur's Guide to Social Investment 

27 Apr 2026

Firstport have just released a new useful resource for social entrepreneurs navigating social investment and repayable finance. 

The guide includes:

• A clear explanation of the language of social investment
• The real difference between grants and loans, and when each one is right for you
• How revenue-based finance works — a flexible, growth-aligned repayable option explained in full
• Common pathways through the social investment ecosystem, including who the key organisations are
• How to assess your own investment readiness before you apply for anything
• What to do next — a practical guide to choosing the right conversation at the right time

The guide has been shaped alongside ecosystem co-creators including Social Investment Scotland, Good Finance, and The Ventures Lab, bringing together multiple perspectives to support better decisions. 

Find the guide here.