Too often, efforts to support innovation are focused simply on the supply of good ideas. The Innovation Exchange recognises social investors - from philanthropists to trusts and foundations - are equally important. They are a vital source of intelligence, of support for innovation and of great ideas in their own right.
If you are a social investor working in relation to our two areas of focus - excluded young people and independent living - we would love to work with you. The Innovation Exchange can help you to scan the horizon for innovative developments and to engage the best of the third sector in an efficient, manageable way. It can also help you to connect with work with the public sector to transform public services. In return, we are looking for investors able to contribute their own expertise and creativity and able to support the development of third sector innovation.
We are currently working on two Festivals of Ideas:
• Independent Living – 30th April - London
• Excluded young people – 7th May - London
These events will bring together innovators, social investors and commissioners around key opportunities for innovation. Commissioners will have the chance to meet third sector innovators working in their areas and to think together about how their work might develop and grow. Innovators will then be supported to develop their plans during May and June, working with the commissioners and investors they meet at the Festival of Ideas. In July the best will receive dedicated support from the Exchange and a share of the £200k NESTA Innovation Exchange Fund to improve and grow their work.
If you would like to attend this event, please email Raj Cheema with a brief description of the work that you do and why you would like to participate. These events are invite-only and places are limited, so priority will be given to those whose intrestes co-incide with third sector participants and have a strategic interest in working with the third sector to develop their work
