RIES is a community-based economic development framework that delivers a range of social and economic outcomes. It has the potential to discover and stimulate hidden entrepreneurship. This work has won the Royal Society of Arts challenge 'Making today's economy work for tomorrow'.

1. RADICALLY
INCLUSIVE
ENTERPRISE
SUPPORT
Making today's
economy work
for tomorrow
Rob Allen
#@business5zero

2. SOWHAT’STHE BIG
DEAL?

3. Self-employment in disadvantaged communities in the UK is
half that of the national rate.
If you have no money or assets, are in debt, or live in a poor
neighbourhood, you are effectively barred from high value
self-employment or start-up activity, regardless of whether
you have the motivation and a viable business idea.

4. Numerous business support initiatives, from advice
and mentoring, through to coaching and voucher
schemes—in which the UK Government invests
millions—are aimed at the right problem, but don’t
provide a workable solution for those from less
privileged backgrounds.

5. The shape of
the problem
and what we
can do about it

6. Enterprise is a powerful way
to empower communities,
but UK enterprise support
systems only work for some.
They can and must work in
more inclusive and effective
ways.

7. There is an urgent need to
develop new models of
enterprise support that are
good for communities and
have the potential to ensure
that opportunity and
economic growth are
distributed equitably.

8. What is Radically
Inclusive
Enterprise
Support (RIES)?
■ RIES is a community-based economic
development framework that delivers a
range of social and economic outcomes.
It has the potential to discover and
stimulate hidden entrepreneurship.
■ It contributes to the reshaping of local
economies by increasing participant’s
enterprise education, their skills, their
chances of earning a living and
ultimately their quality of life.
■ RIES has the potential to transform the
UK economy, it can be delivered
without additional spending or
legislation.

9. 3 key
elements
■ A free collaborative knowledge and resource
sharing network—a platform where low or no
income entrepreneurs, can network, secure
business opportunities, share experiences
and even raise finance.This also helps
understand the potential for enterprise in a
community.
■ Learning opportunities, advice and support
for those who are ready to launch their
business.
■ A micro start-up business grant on
completion of business support and advice.
Grantees undertake to support other
grantees and contribute an amount
equivalent to the amount they receive in
grant, if their business makes a profit of
£5000.

10. Why RIES is
different
■ It is inclusive, free and accessible,
avoiding daunting paperwork and a
cumbersome application process.
■ It starts with the person, helping to build
capacity, confidence and explore ideas.
■ It provides a sustainable longer-term
commitment to nurturing both the
person and their ideas.
■ It identifies and drives new
opportunities.

11. RIES REJECTSTRADITIONALADVERSARIAL
DRAGON’S DENTYPE CHALLENGES,THATTENDTO
REWARDTHE ‘BEST’ IDEAS, PROJECTSAND
COMPANIES.

12. Why RIES is
different
■ It recognises the funding needs of early
stage, high risk ideas, as opposed to
scaling of proven ones.
■ It responds to and understands the
pressures that would-be entrepreneurs
from low social and economic
backgrounds face.
■ It does not encourage people to take on
more debt via business loans.
■ It supports both commercial and social
business ideas.

13. How you can
make it
happen in
your
community
■ Local Economic Partnerships, combined
and local authorities, have an
opportunity to use their new powers to
work with residents (especially those
from economically disadvantaged
backgrounds) to develop RIES in their
localities.
■ Town and Parish Councils can also kick
start RIES as can HousingAssociations,
Charities and Foundations and
established businesses who want to give
something back to their community.

14. Our aim should be that every
community has access to RIES
ensuring there are no social,
economic or spatial barriers to
talented individuals creating new
businesses, services and jobs.

15. Radically Inclusive Enterprise Support should be
hardwired into economic strategy it shouldn’t just
be an ‘add on’ or ‘a good thing to do’.
It is a prerequisite if we are to unleash the latent
talents of communities to help themselves.
It can be delivered without additional spending or
legislation, so why isn’t it even mentioned in the
Industrial Strategy?

16. Thank you
rob.allen@business5zero.com
@business5zero