Step Up can provide 0% interest loans of between £5,000 and £30,000 to social enterprises looking to grow. This includes concepts, products, or services enterprises have used or are currently using to expand your business.

You can use the loan to build on activities that have already helped your organisation generate income, such as:

• increasing stock or equipment
• running marketing campaigns
• expanding successful products or services
• delivering additional events, workshops or courses
• purchasing vehicles or other capital equipment
• recruiting or training staff to support growth

Your social enterprise must:

• be incorporated and headquartered in Scotland
• provide direct social or environmental benefits and be able to demonstrate its impact 
• be actively trading and able to provide evidence of income generation 
• have a legal structure that is appropriate for its activities and location 
• have 2 unrelated directors, or 3 unrelated trustees if constituted as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) 
• not undertake political campaigning or promote religion 
• have completed any outstanding requirements from previous Firstport funding
• have explored alternative sources of investment but been unable to secure funding because of its age, stage of development or business model
• not have reached the £50,000 lifetime funding limit available through the Social Entrepreneurs Fund's Boost It, Pivot Fund and Step Up programmes

This is a 0% interest loan.

Loans of up to £10,000 must be repaid within 2 years, and loans over £10,000 within 5 years.

Social enterprises in Scotland that want to repeat or scale activities that are helping their businesses grow.

Once you submit your application, you will receive a decision within 3 weeks.

Visit the Firstport website to find out more.