Event

How to scale social innovations: growing an organisation to deliver

This event hosted by UK think tank Nesta looks at the organisation behind the idea and what it takes to build one that can grow.

Plenty of promising social innovations never get past the pilot. Others lose momentum once the early enthusiasm fades, because the organisation behind them doesn’t have the direction or capacity to grow.

Join us on Tuesday 3 November 2026 from 18:00-19:15 (GMT) for the final event in our How to scale social innovations series, at The Line, 58 Victoria Embankment, London and online.

So far, the series has looked at forming strategic partnerships, how to use delivery networks and policy influencing as routes to scale. This event looks at the organisation behind the idea and what it takes to build one that can grow.

Through lightning talks and discussion, our speakers will share practical lessons from scaling their own organisations, drawing on Nesta’s scaling toolbox. They’ll cover:

• building capability by developing staff expertise and leadership
• securing funding and choosing the right financial model
• strengthening internal systems so the organisation can sustain its impact as it grows

Speakers

Sir Tim Smit KBE – co-founder of the Eden Project;

Becky Lane – co-founder and chief executive of Furbnow

Philip Colligan CBE – chief executive of the Raspberry Pi Foundation

Tessa Clarke – co-founder and chief executive of Olio

The event will be chaired by Joe Owen – Nesta’s director of policy and government partnerships.

This event is for social innovators, charity leaders, funders and anyone who wants practical tools to help their idea grow.