Case Studies

Step Up with Àban: Driving Local Change through Outdoor Adventures

Introduction

Àban was founded by Johannes Petersen, a social entrepreneur with 20 years of experience and a PGCE in Education. Àban is based in the Merkinch & South Kessock area. This area has many strengths and assets – a supportive community, a famous Highland League football club and a beautiful Local Nature Reserve – but it is also in the most deprived 10% in Scotland according to the SIMD. 

Àban aims to:

• improve the physical and mental health of children and young people
• make outdoor activities a natural and regular part of daily life
• inspire the next generation to value, enjoy, and protect the natural world.

Through regular, healthy outdoor exercise and time spent in nature, Àban tackles these challenges head-on, fostering a healthier and more engaged community.

Àban’s Journey: From Grants to Investment with Firstport

Firstport has been a key partner in Àban’s growth, providing critical support at various stages of its development:

• Start It (2020-2021): At its inception, Àban received business guidance and Start It funding, laying a solid foundation for growth. This support enabled the successful launch of their first bikepacking camp, marking a significant milestone in their journey.
• Build It (2022-23): With a Build It grant, Johannes was able to commit to Àban full-time. This shift had a profound impact, significantly increasing the number of sessions delivered to the community.
• LaunchMe (2024): Participation in the LaunchMe programme helped Àban get investment ready.
• Step Up (2024):  This investment has set the stage for future growth and sustainability, supporting their ambitious plans to expand their programmes and deepen their impact in Inverness.

But wait, what is Step Up?

Step Up is our new loan programme, which has very flexible payment terms. You can use a Step Up loan to invest in concepts, products or services you have previously piloted or run which helped you grow your business. Let’s break it down:

Firstly, it is a 0% interest loan which means you repay the same amount you borrowed.

Secondly, the amount you can borrow can be between £5,000 to £30,000. If you have fully repaid a loan, you can apply again – up to a lifetime limit of £50,000.

Thirdly, the timeline: YOU decide the frequency and rate of repayments, within the following timeframes: 

• if you borrow under £10,000, you have 2 years to repay; or
• for amounts over £10,000, you have 5 years to repay .

In other words, you use your unique knowledge of your enterprise to determine the best way to repay your loan. We understand, with our 15 years of experience, that every social enterprise journey is different and that you know your business best. We want our products to help you grow, not to hinder your progress with restrictive loan terms.

How is Step Up helping Àban?

With the Step Up loan, Johannes and his team are scaling activities that are working for them:

• growing their most successful events and programmes through marketing campaigns
• establishing an outdoor gear donation point with automated Gift Aid capability

Àban is committed to creating local impact while operating with the safety, governance, and professionalism of larger organisations.

Conclusion

Firstport’s support has been instrumental in helping Àban get to the strong position they are now in. And with their dedication and vision, we’re sure they’ll achieve financial sustainability and reduce their reliance on grants by 2028.

What’s now

If you want to know more about Step Up or think it might be the right fit for your social enterprise, get in touch at info@firstport.org.uk, our investment team will help you take your next big step!

Also, support and keep updated about Àban by following them on Facebook.