Catalyst Fintech Hub shines a light on NI's social enterprises

Belfast City Council and WorkWest recently highlighted some of Belfast's most impressive social enterprises at their 'Social in the City' event at the Catalyst Fintech Hub.

The Catalyst Fintech Hub in Belfast City Centre has become a hotbed of innovation for the city, offering office space and support to Northern Ireland's emerging startups in the financial tech sector. You might not immediately think of charities and social enterprises as being key drivers of local tech innovation, but the high-tech startups honoured in the event strive to make a real difference in a rapidly changing world.

The event rounded off year three of the ambitious Go Social programme, with local tech organisations that had been through the scheme talking about their experience. Among them is Brewgooder, a craft beer company that donates 100% of its profits to clean water charities and aims to provide clean water for a million people worldwide.

Belfast-based social enterprise Usel was also highlighted, having just completed the Go Social programme with some impressive growth figures to show for it. The firm has exploded over the past five years and now runs five separate social enterprises covering everything from recycling centres to disability support, and supports 1,200 people with disabilities each year.

Other participants profiled include Angel Eyes NI, the tech charity that provides virtual reality training tools for parents and carers of visually impaired children that helps them get practical experience of how their child's disability affects them. The Go Social scheme has seen 90 participants over the past three years, turning Belfast's innovation centre into a centre for good in the world.

Councillor Carole Howard, Deputy Chairperson of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee, said: "To date, 44 social enterprises and cooperatives have been created, generating 82 new jobs and securing over half a million pounds in funding. Our community plan, the Belfast Agenda puts growing the economy at the heart of everything we do – and it’s only with the commitment, talent and energy of our people, so amply demonstrated here today, that we’ll succeed.”

Source: Written based on press release