Building Chocolate Films
At Chocolate Films, our journey as a video production company with a social mission has been one of passion, resilience, and continuous growth. Over the past 23 years, we have built this independent social enterprise organically, without the backing of investment funding. This path has been rewarding but challenging, requiring us to overcome the consistent hurdle of starting and growing with limited resources. That’s why we owe a huge thanks to Big Issue Invest for believing in our vision and playing a pivotal role in our expansion.
The Role of Big Issue Invest
Big Issue Invest has provided us with affordable loans at key moments in our growth, enabling us to move closer to our mission of creating meaningful opportunities for young people in London. These loans have enabled us to expand our operations and establish our new home: the purpose-built Nine Elms Studio. This space is not just a hub for our video production projects but also a center for our social impact work, empowering the next generation of creatives through training and employment opportunities.
Welcoming Better Society Capital to Nine Elms Studio
We were thrilled to host Better Society Capital at our Nine Elms Studio. Better Society Capital is one of the key investors behind Big Issue Invest, and their support allows organizations like ours to access fair and flexible funding. During their visit, our co-founders, Rachel Wang and Mark Currie, had the opportunity to share the origin story of Chocolate Films and reflect on the challenges and triumphs that have shaped our journey.
Rachel and Mark spoke candidly about the challenges of obtaining funding from traditional banks, often deterred by high-interest rates and rigid terms. The support from Big Issue Invest has been transformative, enabling us to remain true to our values while growing sustainably.
Empowering Communities Through Storytelling
We also showcased the impact of our work, which spans far beyond video production. Through our workshops and training programs, we’ve engaged with a diverse range of young people, including those from schools in highly deprived areas, ex-offenders, individuals transitioning out of care, and those experiencing homelessness. Each project and partnership brings us closer to our goal of using creativity and storytelling to empower communities and create meaningful change.
A Celebration of Social Investment
The visit from Better Society Capital was a chance to celebrate these achievements while highlighting the importance of social investment in fostering innovation and inclusivity. We’re immensely grateful to Big Issue Invest and their investors for helping us amplify our social enterprise model and continue making a difference in the lives of young people across London.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, we’re excited to keep pushing boundaries, telling stories that matter, and nurturing talent that might otherwise go unheard. Thank you to Better Society Capital for your visit and ongoing support in helping us grow and thrive.
