What is the Social Enterprise Growth Accelerator?

The Social Enterprise Growth Accelerator (SEGA) is Sheffield’s flagship support programme for Social Enterprises at every stage of their journey. Whether you are testing a new Social Enterprise idea, pivoting your business model, starting up or building long-term sustainability with your existing Social Enterprise, this programme is designed to meet you where you are.

You might be:

  • Exploring a new Social Enterprise idea and looking for support to get started

  • A Social Enterprise start-up ready to grow with the right advice and networks

  • An established Social Enterprise tackling challenges around strategy, finance, governance, operations or scaling for impact

  • A traditional business or charity / VCS organisation looking to diversify your operations.

  • A Social Entrepreneur looking to connect and collaborate with others who share your values and commitment to impact

This free-to-access programme is shaped around the real needs of Sheffield-based social enterprises. There is no set path. You define your goals and we help you reach them.

What support is available?

Support is flexible and designed to strengthen your organisation’s capacity, confidence and connections. The offer includes:

  • Practical bootcamps and masterclasses specified to the needs of Social Enterprises focused on topics such as business planning, income generation, marketing and impact

  • Networking events to grow your profile and make valuable connections

  • One-to-one support from experienced social enterprise advisors

  • Peer learning and mentoring through structured action learning sets

  • Opportunities to collaborate with other mission-driven organisations and become part of Sheffield’s wider social enterprise movement

Am I eligible?

To join the programme, your organisation must:

  • Be based in Sheffield

  • Be a social enterprise as defined by Social Enterprise UK, or be actively exploring a new idea that aligns with these values and ambitions.

    • Have a clear social or environmental mission

    • Intend to earn more than half of your Social Enterprise’s income through trading

    • Re-invest or donate at least half of the Social Enterprise’s profits

    • Be transparent in the way it operates and the impact it has

If you are not sure whether you are eligible, please fill in the application form and we will be happy to help and clarify your eligibility for the programme.

What’s next?

Applications are now open.

The programme is free to eligible social enterprises. Places are limited, so we encourage you to register your interest early.

→ Apply here

If you're still exploring your idea or unsure whether the programme is the right fit, we’re happy to help.

Who are the advisors?

Our team of advisors are experienced social enterprise leaders and specialists. They bring deep understanding of the sector and offer grounded, practical support in areas such as:

  • Business planning and strategy

  • Sales and marketing

  • Access to finance

  • Impact measurement

  • Organisational development

  • Inclusive leadership and governance

  • Coaching and mentoring

Our team will help you choose an advisor who best suit your organisation’s needs and preferred way of working.

Who delivers the programme?

This programme is funded by Sheffield City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It is delivered by the Sheffield Social Enterprise Network, in partnership with Business Sheffield, Voluntary Action Sheffield, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, Purple Shoots and Opus Independents, each contributing vital local knowledge and a shared commitment to inclusive economic development.

Looking to get started with a new social business idea, or grow an existing enterprise? We can help.

Join the business support programme for social enterprises in Sheffield and access a supportive network of values-led entrepreneurs. Funded by Sheffield Council and the South Yorkshire mayoral Combined Authority, the Sheffield Social Enterprise Growth Accelerator (SEGA) is a partnership programme led by Sheffield Social Enterprise Network.

Once you’re signed up for the SEGA programme, you will be able to:

Gain specialist support from our social enterprise advisors

Access peer networking, mentoring and action learning resources

Attend monthly business networking and peer learning events

Ready to sign up?

Sign up here.

First steps after sign up

Once we receive a referral, you’re invited to attend a discovery call with one of our business advisors. We’ll talk to you about your enterprise, assess your eligibility for the programme and work with you to identify a tailored package of support. 

Not sure yet?

Read our frequently asked questions below or get in touch for an informal chat.

Our Specialist Advisors

FAQs

  • We align with the Social Enterprise UK definition of a social enterprise. To access the programme, your planned or existing venture must: 

    • Have a clear social or environmental mission 

    • Intend to earn more than half of its income through trading

    • Re-invest or donate at least half of its profits 

    • Be transparent in the way they operate and the impact they have

  • Participants will benefit from tailored diagnostic sessions, one-to-one consultancy, themed workshops, practical resources and structured peer support.

  • Yes. We will not offer a prescriptive programme that channels businesses into standardised courses or specific delivery hours. We provide flexible business support tailored to the needs of each business. Applicants are able to self-select consultants based on need and preference. Support may be offered in-person, online, individually or in groups.

  • Our peer mentoring and action learning programme will complement this contract, creating the opportunity for social enterprise leaders to work collectively, building networks, capability and capacity to solve leadership issues across organisations. 

  • Sheffield Social Enterprise Network have well-established programmes of business networking and masterclass events. This enables programme participants to access free events each month.

    We also deliver an annual Sheffield Social Enterprise conference, which you will be invited to.

  • Please click here to apply.

    If you are unsure or just curious about social enterprises and would like to discuss further before applying for the programme please book a clarification call with our team here.

  • The programme is being delivered in partnership with Business Sheffield, Voluntary Action Sheffield, South Yorkshire’s Community Foundation, Purple Shoots and Opus Independents, each contributing vital local knowledge and a shared commitment to inclusive economic development.

  • We work with a team of specialist business advisors with significant lived experience in social enterprise leadership, across a broad range of areas, including:

    Access to finance; business planning; strategy; organisational development; sales and marketing; social value; impact measurement; social inclusion; asset-based community development; mentoring; coaching