Social Enterprise is a broad term used by organisations and individuals that are trading for a social purpose.
The world of social enterprise can be confusing, so we recommend reading What makes a social enterprise?, which describes the characteristics of a social enterprise.
If you are just starting out, you could choose from several different legal structures to form a social enterprise. The legal structures chart shows you all of the options and lists the main features of each.
This guide from UnLtd also talks you through the different options for determining the right legal structure for your social enterprise.
Many social enterprises choose to form as a Community Interest Company (CIC), but if you are also wondering if a Charitable Incorporated Organisation may be right for you, check out our quick comparison guide to CICs and CIOs.
Follow our instructions on forming a CIC and if you need some support from CVS, contact us.