Enspiral Congratulates Government for Supporting Social Enterprise
The Enspiral Foundation is pleased to celebrate the Government's official recognition of social enterprise and support
for the sector.
The recent Government position statement “acknowledges the value of the growing social enterprise sector and supporting collaborative action to ensure social
enterprises meet their full potential”.
“We are excited to see that the Hikurangi Foundation have secured funding to further develop infrastructure and support
for New Zealand’s social enterprises” says Silvia Zuur, Board Member of Enspiral Foundation and CEO of Chalkle, a social
enterprise focused on education. “We look forward to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment taking a keen interest in the significant economic outcomes from the sector, as well as the benefits
mentioned by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister, Jo Goodhew.”
Last year Enspiral partnered with Hikurangi Foundation to host New Zealand’s first Social Enterprise Week, including one
of the world’s first Social Enterprise Startup Weekends, in August 2013.
Over four years, Enspiral has grown to support 130 individuals and 12 companies working across New Zealand. The network
includes several leading social enterprises, a number of service businesses and Enspiral Space, a co-working hub in
Wellington that houses organisations and ventures with a focus on social and environmental impact.
"Enspiral has grown based on a social enterprise model with collaboration at its core and I am excited to see the
Government taking its important first steps into the sector.” said Joshua Vial - founder of Enspiral. “The Enspiral
Foundation encourages the Government to engage with the sector’s existing stakeholders collaboratively to nurture an
environment where more social enterprises can launch, grow and attract investment.”
“We’re acutely aware that funding structures to match social enterprises’ hybrid social-commercial returns on investment
remain the greatest challenge for our sector. Policies that unlock the necessary investment will help improve the
landscape for today's ventures, as has been the case in UK and United States where thriving impact investment
communities exist.” commented Silvia Zuur.
Enspiral is already working in partnership with Wellington City Council, Generation Zero and PledgeMe to develop a Smart
Energy Challenge (applications open 18th February 2014). Last year, Enspiral entered into a partnership with Ministry of
Social Development to run LIFEHACK - a social enterprise which nurtures youth wellbeing technology ventures. There are
also plans for collaborative decision making venture, Loomio, to run a significant crowdfunding campaign to expand their
service in March.
These examples show how partnerships and innovative funding models can help to fulfil social and environmental goals,
grow community in the sector and unlock seed funding for new ventures. Enspiral looks forward to continuing to work
alongside Hikurangi to build the social enterprise sector and supports the Government's efforts to unlock the value that
the sector holds for society and the economy.
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