Spark Overview
The 11-month Spark project was launched in December, 2007, with a nationwide call for innovative social enterprises that are preventing homelessness. The top 15 applicants will be announced March 10, 2008, and each will embark on an eight-month journey to increase their skills, capacity and impact on homelessness using social enterprise. Throughout March, April and May each social enterprise will work with Eastside Consulting to develop their pitch and prepare for a pitch event on Thursday, May 29. There they will pitch their enterprise idea to a panel of experienced social entrepreneurs including several major names from the homelessness sector to vie for a share of a £500,000 prize fund (provided by CLG) and thousands of pounds of in-kind support provided by Spark’s partners. The best social enterprises will win mentoring and enterprise insights provided by the employees of Spark’s corporate partners to ensure that they are well-prepared to grow their social enterprise. They will also have the opportunity to access possible loan finance of up to £500,000 (offered by Big Issue Invest). Spark will light a fire in the homelessness sector. It will ensure time, expertise, business nous and money are invested in smart, profitable entrepreneurial ideas, giving homeless people an opportunity to move towards independent living.
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Spark offers a prize fund of £500,000 for new or existing social enterprises that are preventing homelessness and the chance to access £500,000 of potential loan finance provided by specialist third sector funder, 
