Ventures in the Learning Launchpad portfolio received financial investment at the early stages of development, typically from £15,000 - £50,000. Convinced of the potential for social impact and innovation, this investment was structured to ensure that it built on the organisation's sustainability and scalability. Normally our investments took the form of a loan, an equity stake or a "revenue participation agreement" - where a small proportion of revenues is taken for a fixed period of time in return for a cash investment.

Most importantly, we provide structured, high quality support via access to the Young Foundation's advisors, experts and family of entrepreneurs. Together we advise on strategy, business model, operational requirements, impact measurement, links to local and central government and more.

Following sustained venture support, the Young Foundation's staff have joined some portfolio ventures as board members:

• Geoff Mulgan and Simon Tucker both sit on the Studio Schools Trust board;

• Cynthia Shanmugalingam serves as Chair of Working Rite and Non-Executive Director of Enabling Enterprise; and

• Jack Graham is a trustee of Space Unlimited.

Ventures were selected on the basis of how well they adhered to five simple criteria:

• Social impact. The Learning Launchpad works with ideas that have a profound social impact both on the individuals worked with and, where possible, on society as a whole - particularly in the area of Social and emotional Intelligence, Emotional resilience, Enterprise and Discipline (SEED) skills.

• Innovation. The ideas we support depart from standard practice to provide better services, more efficiently. Sometimes this can be a new sustainable vehicle for social interventions that exist already; or more radical innovation that challenges existing norms.

• Sustainability. We support social ventures that aim to be fully financially sustainable. Usually this means through earned income, although many of our ventures have equally sustainable grant and government-funded models.

• Scalability. Our philosophy emphasises the importance of disseminating the impact of the organisations through scalable organisational design - using technology, volunteers and delivery partners to leverage a national impact.

• Passionate, competent people. We work with smart, creative and resilient entrepreneurs and support them to develop further into successful leaders of social change.