The Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) launched its Social Investment Manifesto on the 23rd of September 2026. It is a global call to action to overhaul social finance systems so that mission-locked social enterprises can reach finance that suits them.
The scale involved is large. SEWF cites World Economic Forum and Schwab Foundation research, to which it contributed, estimating that more than 10 million social enterprises operate worldwide. The Manifesto, which was developed through a global consultation, argues that what holds these enterprises back is access to suitable finance, not a shortage of finance overall.
A structural mismatch
According to the Manifesto, mission-locked enterprises are routinely shut out of both mainstream investment and traditional philanthropy. Neither is designed for ventures that put social and environmental return first while generating income. What results is a set of isolated, fragmented interventions rather than coordinated infrastructure.
For policymakers, the Manifesto points to levers that already exist; procurement rules, tax policy and public guarantees, rather than new spending commitments.
Seven recommendations
- Distinguish and prioritise mission-locked models
- Design and implement blended finance models
- Build foundational readiness and resilience
- Activate supportive policy levers
- Champion community wealth building
- Ensure transparent and values-aligned practice
- Orchestrate system-wide infrastructure design rather than isolated finance infrastructure
Where readiness fits
The third recommendation “Build foundational readiness and resilience” is the one closest to our mission at The Ventures Lab. We read it as a call on the whole ecosystem, not a judgement on ventures, many of which are doing something harder than a conventional business by building commercial and social value in tandem. Readiness support is part of the infrastructure that should sit alongside suitable capital, giving founders the time, expertise and space to make the most of it their own terms.
Through our Build programme, we work alongside impact-led founders on their business model, financials, governance, team and impact framework behind a future raise. After investment, our Growth services supports ventures to deploy capital effectively and scale sustainably, while protecting the purpose at the heart of the business. In both, the aim is the same: investment that accelerates a venture’s mission rather than redirecting it.
The Manifesto is clear that no single actor can close this gap alone. Support providers like us are one part of a system that also needs investors, funders, governments and intermediaries pulling in the same direction.
Read the full Manifesto and supporting data on the SEWF website: https://sewfonline.com/policy/social-investment-manifesto/
If you’re building an impact-led venture and want to understand what readiness looks like at your stage, find the right support for your venture: https://www.theventureslab.com/our-approach/
