What Is Impact+?
Impact+ is The Ventures Lab’s framework for defining, evidencing and protecting impact-led ventures.
WHAT DOES IMPACT+ MEAN?
An Impact+ venture:
- Exists to create a clearly defined social or environmental outcome
- Identifies its primary beneficiary
- Embeds purpose into governance and decision-making
- Measures and evidences its impact over time
- Builds a commercially viable model to sustain and scale that impact
Impact+ ventures recognise that long-term prosperity depends on balancing People, Planet and Profit — but they go further by clearly defining the positive change they exist to create.
Impact+ is outcomes-led, not sector-led. It asks two simple questions:
- What change are you creating?
- And for whom?
THE IMPACT+
CLASSIFICATION
FRAMEWORK & Areas
Impact+ ventures are classified by the primary change they exist to create — not by industry or legal structure.
All ventures select one primary, optional secondary classifications and one primary beneficiary group. This creates clarity for founders, investors and partners
Planet & Environment
Ventures restoring and protecting the natural systems that sustain life.
Includes:
- Climate Action & Net Zero
- Nature, Biodiversity & Planetary Health
- Responsible Resources & Circular Economy
People & Wellbeing
Ventures improving health, opportunity, financial security and quality of life.
Includes:
- Health & Wellbeing
- Learning, Skills & Human Potential
- Fair Work & Inclusive Enterprise
- Financial Security & Community Wealth
- Homes & Thriving Places
Inclusion, Rights & Culture
Ventures strengthening equity, belonging, voice and shared cultural life.
Includes:
- Rights, Dignity & Safety
- Belonging, Inclusion & Identity Resources & Circular Economy
- Voice, Participation & Democracy
- Culture, Creativity & Expression
Systems & Future
Ventures building systems, infrastructure and long-term resilience.
Includes:
- Digital Society for Good
- Systems Change & Impact Infrastructure
- Future Generations & Long-Term Stewardship
LEGAL STRUCTURE AND IMPACT+
Impact+ is legal-form agnostic. Impact is defined by intent, evidence and governance not by structure alone.
Community Interest Company (CIC)
Many Impact+ ventures operate as CICs.
A CIC:
- Exists to benefit the community
- Has an asset lock
- Places restrictions on profit distribution
- Embeds social purpose into its legal structure
This can be a strong option for mission protection.
However, it is not the only route.
Golden Share Structures
One emerging model is the use of a Golden Share.
A golden share provides designated stakeholders with specific rights to protect the venture’s purpose.
This ensures that even as external investment is introduced, the founding mission cannot be diluted without consent.
This model enables ventures to:
- Attract commercial investment
- Protect long-term mission
- Align investor returns with societal outcomes
It represents an important evolution in Scotland’s impact investment landscape.
Limited Companies with Embedded Impact
Some ventures require access to significant commercial investment in order to scale.
In these cases, a limited company structure may be appropriate.
Impact can be embedded through:
- Clear impact objects
- Governance protections
- Impact reporting frameworks
- Mission-aligned shareholder agreements
IMPACT+ AND INVESTMENT
Impact+ does not mean anti-profit.
It means profit aligned with purpose.
At The Ventures Lab, we support ventures to:
- Build investor-ready business models
- Protect mission through governance
- Demonstrate measurable outcomes
- Attract patient, mission-aligned capital
Clarity of impact strengthens investment conversations.
IS YOUR VENTURE IMPACT+?
Not every purpose-driven idea qualifies as Impact+.
Intent matters. Structure matters. Evidence matters.
We’ve developed a short diagnostic tool to help founders understand where they sit.
- Take the Impact+ Diagnostic
- Understand your next steps
updates
Today is World Mental Health Day. For this Venture Spotlight from The Ventures Lab, we
Last night, founders and researchers from across Scotland’s universities came together at Barony Hall in
The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) launched its Social Investment Manifesto on the 23rd of
For impact-led founders, purpose is the driving force behind business growth, with profit serving as
On 26 May, 2026, 40 founders, investors, ecosystem partners and operators gathered at The Bakery
The Ventures Lab Launches New Website to Champion Impact Ventures and Unlock New Opportunities The
SHAPE IMPACT?
Whether you are exploring an idea, preparing to raise investment, or scaling post-investment, we are here to support you for the journey.
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