SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ACQUISITION

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE ACQUISITION

If you are a non-profit thinking about starting a social enterprise, why not acquire one instead?

Did you know:

  • Over 700,000 Canadian small businesses are at risk of closing due to lack of buyers
  • 32% of non-profit revenues come from earned income, with social enterprise becoming a core approach

Business Legacies Initiative is a research and innovation initiative exploring how to:

  • address succession and transition challenges facing small business owners,
  • support non-profits to explore business acquisition as a social enterprise strategy, and;
  • ensure that essential goods, services and employment provided by local businesses remain in communities.

The goal of the Business Legacies initiative is to understand the challenges and opportunities for business to community business transition; develop processes, resources and training to assist; and identify initial pilots to support through the process.

Since 2019, Scale Institute and Royal Roads University have been developing research, tools and resources to support non-profit acquisition and community wealth.

  RESEARCH  

Transitions of Small Businesses to Non-Profit and Community Ownership: Business Legacies Initiative Literature Review

Survey of Non-Profits and Small Businesses: Business Legacies Initiative Survey Summary

  CASE STUDIES  

Carleton Road Industries Buys Business to Support Its Mission

Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot Buys a Candy Store

Fernwood NRG Buys a Hair Salon

Island Crisis Care Society Buys a Bakery

Theatre SKAM Buys a Theatre School

PATHWAY TO A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PURCHASE TOOLKIT

In July 2021, the partnership launched a comprehensive toolkit called “Pathway to a Successful Business Purchase” (PSBP Toolkit). Adapted from Venture Connect’s buyer’s workbook of the same name, the PSBP Toolkit is the first of its kind in Canada to address the unique challenges and needs of the non-profit sector.

In July 2021, the partnership launched a comprehensive toolkit called “Pathway to a Successful Business Purchase” (PSBP Toolkit). Adapted from Venture Connect’s buyer’s workbook of the same name, the PSBP Toolkit is the first of its kind in Canada to address the unique challenges and needs of the non-profit sector.

  INFORMATION SESSIONS  

JUNE 2022

JUNE 2021

  LOOKING TO ACQUIRE AND NEED SUPPORT?  

  ACQUISITION RESOURCES  

Thriving Non-Profits: A leadership training program to diversify revenue for greater impact

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Small Business Today, Social Enterprise Tomorrow

Social Firm Scotland: Acquiring Business 4 Good Final Report

  PARTNERS AND FUNDERS  

This project is a partnership between Royal Roads University and Scale Institute. 

We are thankful for funding support from: 

Government of British Columba