arc: building better business

arc, an initiative of Business in the Community, supports social enterprise growth to create jobs in communities of greatest need.

Inspired by London 2012, arc was launched in East London in September 2011 and is supporting social enterprises to grow and create 1000 jobs in the Olympic Host Boroughs by 2015, a further 1000 jobs in West London by 2016 and plans to expand nationally from late 2013.

We can help you grow your social enterprise.

For corporates, find out how working with social enterprise can make your business better.

Latest news from arc

Student@Home Wins Social Entrepreneur Prize at the ITC Enterprise Awards Ceremony

Mon, 17/06/2013 - 15:49

Student from Student@Home with client at computer

Student@Home, a social enterprise on the arc programme, provide a simple, friendly, and low-cost IT service that brings trustworthy and knowledgeable IT students to homes or small businesses to help solve computer and technology issues.

arc Founding Partner Deloitte Pledges Another £1m Support to Second Wave of Social Innovation Pioneers

Fri, 14/06/2013 - 10:06

arc Founding Partner Deloitte has launched the second wave of their Social Innovation Pioneers programme, welcoming 16 social enterprises from across the UK onto the programme. The £1 million programme of support lasts for 12 months and is tailored to the needs of social enterprises to help them grow their business and social impact.

Community Catalysts Win the EU Social Innovation Competition and Launch European Expansion Plans

Thu, 13/06/2013 - 12:55

Sian Lockwood (OBW) Chief Executive of Community Catalysts

The aim of the EU Social Innovation Competition is to find the best social innovation solutions to help people move towards work or into new types of work.

‘Emerald’ - The Living Furniture Project’s debut furniture collection launched at Clerkenwell Design Week 2013

Fri, 31/05/2013 - 17:58

The Living Furniture Project, a social enterprise on the arc programme, has recently produced it’s first collection of contemporary furniture, featuring work from designer-makers like Nic Parnell, Donna Walker, Yinka Ilori, Sarah Baulch, Kat Wight, Kat Hamer, James McBennett and master carpenter Geoff Walker.

‘Emerald’ was launched at the Clerkenwell Design Week, 21-23 May. The fair was a complete success, says Alastair Sloane, founder:

Circle Sports inspires responsible leadership in senior businesses

Wed, 29/05/2013 - 13:31

Happy young people outside Circle Sports store in Edgware road, Westminster

Circle Sports, a social enterprise on the arc programme, recently welcomed a team of senior business leaders to their sports shop in Westminster for a Prince’s Seeing is Believing visit; an experiential learning activity designed to inspire responsible leadership with first-hand insight into key social and environmental issues.