FAQs

Build It

We are not officially incorporated yet. Can we still apply?

No. Build It is only open to incorporated social enterprises with a registered office in Scotland.

My enterprise will be trading across the whole of the UK. Is this allowed?

Yes. Your business can trade anywhere you want, but because Build It is funded by the Scottish Government, most people who benefit from the good work of your enterprise must live in Scotland.

What is direct, measurable social impact? 

When a social enterprise does work or provides services for the good of its beneficiaries, we call this ‘direct social impact’. When a social enterprise provides services to other organisations, who then go on to do work with their beneficiaries, we call this ‘indirect social impact’.

For example, an enterprise offering counselling services to a vulnerable group has direct social impact. An enterprise offering counselling training to a charity who then provides counselling to their beneficiaries has indirect social impact.

Our social enterprise has model Articles of Association. Is this allowed?

No. Model Articles of Association are standard default articles and do not include an asset lock. An asset lock protects the use of the company’s assets and prevents profits and assets from being distributed to private individuals and other companies.

We do not have a business bank account. Can the Build It grant be paid into a personal bank account?

No. Unlike Start It, Build It is paid to the enterprise. We need a business bank account in the name of the social enterprise.

I need funding for more than one salary. Can this be covered?

Build It can cover up to £27,000 for a single new post (including salary, pension, and tax) and a further £13,000 for an additional part-time post. It can also cover multiple salaries on a part-time basis if they adhere to the Real Living Wage. We do not cover sessional or casual staff.

I need funding to continue existing salaries. Is this allowed?

No. Build It covers new roles only.

If you are the founder and already drawing a salary from the enterprise, you cannot use Build It funding to continue funding your current role. However, if you want to move to a different role (for example, to stop delivering services so you can work on growing the business), then you can apply for your salary, but please explain this clearly in your application.

Our enterprise is still relatively new. How much evidence of income generation and social impact is required?

Because Build It is for tried and tested business models, we would usually expect to see a track record of at least a year, especially if the enterprise has a seasonal business model.

I already have a detailed cashflow projection that I would like to submit as part of my application. Can I do this? 

No. You must use the template provided and submit as an Excel spreadsheet. 

What’s the difference between an Executive Summary and a Pitch Document? 

An Executive Summary is usually the first-page summary of a business plan and therefore relates to information contained in that business plan. Your Pitch Document should be a summary of the application as a whole and be understandable to a reader who will not have access to your application form, business plan, or cashflow projection.