What is Better Society Capital?
Better Society Capital, formerly known as West London Zone, is a pioneering force in the world of social impact investment. At its core, it’s all about channeling money into projects that genuinely improve lives—like helping young people through outcomes-based contracts. The mission? To grow the social impact investment market in the UK, making it easier for investors to put their money where it truly matters. It’s not just about funding; it’s about creating lasting change by supporting social purpose organisations tackling big issues like homelessness, mental health, and fuel poverty.
Main Benefits of Social Impact Investment
Social impact investment isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game changer. Better Society Capital has been instrumental in growing this market, and the numbers speak volumes:
- £10bn – The value of the social impact investment market at the end of 2023, marking an 18% jump since 2021
- 12x – That’s how much the market has grown in just twelve years, from £830m in 2011
- 7,000 – The total number of outstanding deals in social impact investment
These figures highlight a booming sector that’s attracting more capital and making a real difference. It’s about scaling solutions that work, and Better Society Capital is right at the heart of it.
How Better Society Capital Works
The approach is simple but powerful: understand people’s needs first. Better Society Capital teams up with expert partners to get to the root of social challenges. Then, armed with knowledge and capital, they invest alongside fund managers who share the vision of a better, sustainable future. It’s a collaborative effort that blends expertise with financial muscle to back projects that truly move the needle.
Investing for Real Impact
Across the UK, everyday challenges like housing shortages, lack of affordable financial services, and community resilience gaps are tough nuts to crack. Social impact investment steps in here, helping enterprises tackle these issues at scale. Over the past decade, Better Society Capital has learned what works when ideas, investment, and expertise come together. The result? Tangible improvements in people’s lives and communities.
Building a Thriving Investment Ecosystem
Better Society Capital doesn’t just invest alone. It’s about creating an ecosystem where more capital flows into social good. By combining venture capital, lending, outcomes contracts, and property investments, there’s a real chance to help social enterprises grow, support new entrepreneurs, and offer investors sustainable financial returns. The numbers tell the story:
- 3,750+ organisations have received social investment from Better Society Capital since 2012
- £1bn total committed investments by Better Society Capital
- £4.5bn total committed capital alongside other investors
With ongoing innovation and initiatives like the Schroder BSC Social Impact Trust, the future looks bright for scaling impact and expanding the market.
Project Impact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 1: No Poverty – Tackling fuel poverty and homelessness
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Supporting mental health initiatives
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Empowering social entrepreneurs and enterprises
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Addressing social inequalities across the UK
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Enhancing community resilience and housing
Latest News and Insights
Better Society Capital stays active and engaged with the social impact community. Recent highlights include strengthening their Board and Investment Committee with new non-executive directors, responding to government initiatives like the Better Futures Fund, and hitting a milestone of £1 billion invested into social enterprises and charities. Partnerships like the £40 million funding collaboration with Thrive Renewables for community energy projects show a commitment to innovation and sustainability. Plus, their 2024 Impact Report and involvement in the UK Government’s Social Impact Investment Advisory Group underline their leadership role in this space.
