Derby Venture Builder

Derby Venture Builder is a high-support programme designed to help people build and grow impact ventures and social enterprises.

This is about creating organisations that generate sustainable income while delivering meaningful social or environmental change.

Too often, support for impact-led ventures is short-term, generic, or disconnected from the realities of building something that lasts.

This programme is different.

We work with a small number of committed individuals over time to develop ventures that are both purpose-driven and financially sustainable.

WHAT THIS IS

Derby Venture Builder is a high-support programme designed to help you:

• Turn an idea into a viable venture 
• Strengthen and grow an existing organisation 
• Build a sustainable trading model 
• Increase your impact and reach 

You will work closely with us over time to develop your venture in a way that is grounded, realistic and built to last.

WHO IT'S FOR

This programme is for people based in the Greater Derby area who want to build or grow a venture that creates positive change.

You might be:

• Developing an idea for a social enterprise or impact venture 
• Testing an early-stage model and building initial income 
• Running a trading organisation and looking to strengthen sustainability 
• Leading an established organisation and seeking to grow your impact 

You do not need to be fully formed.

You do need to be serious.

What matters most is your commitment to the change you want to create, and your willingness to build something that can sustain that impact over time.

WHAT YOU'LL WORK ON

Through the programme, you will focus on:

• Developing a clear and credible impact model 
• Building a sustainable trading approach 
• Strengthening your venture structure and strategy 
• Making better decisions as a leader of an impact-driven organisation 

This is practical, applied work—grounded in the real challenges of building and sustaining a venture.

WHAT YOU'LL GET

1. ONTO ONE VENTURE COACHING

Regular, structured sessions focused on your venture
Not generic advice—specific to your challenges and goals

2. A CLEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN

You’ll leave onboarding with a defined plan for your venture
Including priorities, milestones and next steps.

3. ONGOING STRATEGIC SUPPORT

We work with you as things evolve—not just at the start
Helping you navigate real-world challenges as they happen

4. PEER COHORT

A small group of committed entrepreneurs
Shared learning, accountability and support

5. CHALLENGE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Regular opportunities to test your thinking
Constructive challenge from experienced practitioners

6. ACCESS TO NETWORKS

Connections to partners, collaborators and supporters
Integration into Derby’s growing impact ecosystem

7. VISIBILITY AND OPPORTUNITIES

Opportunities to showcase your work
Including participation in the Derby Impact Awards

WHAT MAKES THIS DIFFERENT

Most business support is not designed for impact ventures.

It often focuses on:

• Short-term growth over long-term sustainability 
• Generic models that don’t reflect social purpose 
• Advice without ongoing support 

Derby Venture Builder is built specifically for impact entrepreneurs.

We focus on:

• Sustainable impact, not just activity 
• Long-term development, not quick wins 
• Real-world application, not theory 
• Ongoing support, not one-off interventions

COMMITMENT

This programme requires:

• Regular engagement over an extended period 
• Active participation in sessions and cohort meetings 
• A willingness to act on learning and feedback 

If you are not ready to commit, this is not the right programme.

COST

The programme fee is £1,500

HOWEVER 

We believe cost should not be a barrier and recognise the challenges in starting an impact venture of this nature.

A limited number of bursaries are available for those who need financial support.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications open: April 27th
Deadline: 9am, Monday June 8th

You can apply:

• Via a short written application form
• Or by submitting a short video 

Before applying, it is essential to have a 1:1 conversation with Keith Jeffrey to explore whether this programme is right for you.

Use this link to book in a ZOOM call.