Social Enterprise Kent CIC

What Social Enterprise Kent CIC does

Social Enterprise Kent CIC is a UK-registered Community Interest Company founded in 1985 that delivers community-focused support services across Kent and Medway. The organisation operates two core service lines: 'Support for People' (wellbeing and community services for individuals, including youth employability programmes for 16-24 year-olds) and 'Support for Organisations' (business support, training, and capacity-building for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations), delivered through its SEK Training and SEK Schools divisions. Programme portfolio includes the Thanet Social Enterprise Boost Programme (supporting 194 social enterprises and 140 start-ups with over £353,000 in grants distributed), the Kent AI Skills Accelerator (supporting charities to adopt AI tools safely), the Digital Employability Experience (DEX) platform, and the Social Impact Gateway connecting VCSE organisations with funding, volunteers and partners.

Name

Social Enterprise Kent CIC

Legal name

Social Enterprise Kent CIC

Website

https://sekgroup.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Social Enterprise Kent CIC is a UK Community Interest Company founded in 1985 delivering community, training, and business support services to VCSE organisations, individuals, schools, and young people across Kent and Medway, primarily via grant-funded programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Support Services

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Engagement & Service-Learning Partnerships (EDALAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Staff Training, Coaching & Professional Development (SEL/Mental Health) (EDAKAMAL), Family & Community Support Services (Case Management, Referrals) (EDAJAIAK)

Keywords

• Community support services
• VCSE organisational development
• Social enterprise training
• Community wellbeing programmes
• School engagement initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Funded Programme Delivery: Delivery of funded support programmes for VCSE organisations, including business support, training, and community engagement initiatives funded by government and local authority grants.
2. Training Services: Training services for organisations within the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector covering leadership, governance, funding, community engagement and organisational development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Social Enterprise Kent CIC delivers community-focused support services across Kent and Medway, operating two core divisions: SEK Training (professional development and skills training) and SEK Schools (educational competitions, awards, and skills initiatives). It also provides Support for People (wellbeing and community engagement) and Support for Organisations (business development, funding access, and governance support for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations).

Product overview

Social Enterprise Kent CIC operates as a community interest company offering a portfolio of interconnected support services, training programmes, and educational initiatives. The organisation provides Support for People (wellbeing services) and Support for Organisations (business development for VCSE sectors). Two core divisions deliver specific offerings: SEK Training provides professional skills development, while SEK Schools delivers educational programmes including competitions, awards, and challenges. Notable programmes include the Kent AI Skills Accelerator for AI adoption, the Thanet Social Enterprise Boost Programme for local enterprise growth, the Digital Employability Experience (DEX) platform for digital skills, and the Social Impact Gateway connecting organisations with funding opportunities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SEK Training: Training division offering training opportunities to upskill learners
• SEK Schools

Products and services

• Support for People Wellbeing and community support services for individuals across Kent and Medway, providing community engagement, social inclusion, and personal support resources.
• Support for Organisations Business support packages including funding guidance, training, governance advice, and development services for voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across Kent and Medway.
• SEK Training Training division providing professional development and skills training covering leadership, governance, funding, community engagement, and organisational development for individuals and VCSE organisations.
• SEK Schools Schools division delivering educational programmes, competitions, awards, and skills development initiatives for students including Young Cooks, Green School Awards, Big STEM Challenge, and Kent Education Awards.
• Kent AI Skills Accelerator AI skills development programme helping organisations adopt AI technologies safely and responsibly, featuring an AI Best Practice Toolkit and supported by Canterbury Christ Church University.
• Thanet Social Enterprise Boost Programme Support programme for social enterprises in Thanet district providing training, networking events, grants, and business development support, including a legacy support package priced at £135.
• Digital Employability Experience (DEX) Free online platform from Digital Kent helping Kent residents build digital skills and explore local employment opportunities, delivered in partnership with Social Enterprise Kent.
• Social Impact Gateway Platform helping VCSE organisations connect with funding, partnerships, and opportunities while demonstrating social impact.

Quantifiable outcome

• 194 social enterprises supported through Thanet programme
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Social Enterprise UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational social enterprise membership organisation providing certification and network support.
• Kent County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary local authority partner funding the Kent AI Skills Accelerator programme and other community initiatives across Kent and Medway.
• NHS Kent and MedwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS partnership for health and care engagement, with SEK supporting the Five Year Strategy consultation for 2026-2031.
• Macmillan Cancer SupportmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting cancer-related community services and support initiatives.
• Nelson CollegemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Thanet Youth Employment and Skills Hub providing employment, skills, wellbeing and advice services for young people aged 16-24.
• Jobcentre PlusmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerJobcentre youth work coaches providing support through the Thanet Youth Employment and Skills Hub.
• CXKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth services organisation providing support through the Thanet Youth Employment and Skills Hub.
• Digital KentmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivers DEX (Digital Employability Experience) platform helping Kent residents build digital skills and explore local employment opportunities.
• Canterbury Christ Church UniversitymoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner providing AI governance expertise and keynote speakers for Kent AI Best Practice Conference.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Cooperatives UK: Membership body for co-operative enterprises across the UK, providing advisory, training, and advocacy support. Comparable: works alongside CICs and social enterprises as sector infrastructure, with overlapping beneficiary populations on cooperative governance, funding, and organisational development.

Direct peers

• Locality: UK-wide membership body supporting community-led organisations with advice, resources, and convening. Comparable: serves the same VCSE organisational constituency, providing business support packages, training, and a network — directly aligned with SEK's Support for Organisations offering and community engagement focus.
• UnLtd: UK foundation supporting social entrepreneurs through funding, development, and connections. Comparable: both incubate and accelerate VCSE start-ups via grants, training, and capacity-building — UnLtd operates nationally and SEK at regional level for the same beneficiary type.
• Social Enterprise UK: National membership body championing and supporting social enterprises across the UK. Highly comparable: both organisations serve the social-enterprise ecosystem, with SEK operating as a member and certified supporter, and SEUK providing infrastructure and advocacy for the same population.
• School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE): UK charity providing training, mentoring, and learning programmes for social entrepreneurs and community leaders. Closely comparable: similar mission of building capacity within the VCSE sector through structured programmes, training, and peer learning — directly mirrors SEK Training and the Thanet Social Enterprise Boost Programme.

Broad incumbents

• Power to Change: UK independent trust that funds and supports community businesses and social enterprises. Comparable: addresses the same VCSE beneficiary set with capacity-building grants and research; functions more as a funder than direct operator, but serves an overlapping mission.
• Prince's Trust: Major UK youth charity supporting young people into education, employment, and training. Comparable: runs youth employability programmes (16-24) including digital skills and pathways to work — directly aligned with SEK's Thanet Youth Employment and Skills Hub.
• NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations): National infrastructure body providing advice, resources, and advocacy for UK voluntary and community organisations. Comparable: serves the same voluntary-sector constituency with policy, training, and intelligence — operates at scale nationally while SEK delivers locally.
• Catch22: UK social business delivering education, employment, and justice services, including for young people. Comparable: operates as a social business in youth employment and community programmes, with overlapping contracts from Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, and the NHS.

Regional players

• Kent Community Foundation: Regional grant-making body distributing charitable funds to VCSE organisations across Kent. Comparable: shares Kent geography, distributes funding to grassroots VCSEs, and serves the same organisational base. SEK complements as a delivery partner and capacity-builder; KCF as a funder.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SocEntKent
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCLigRsJHQHg5hSsXTEUmmhg
• Facebookfacebook.com/socentkent
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/social-enterprise-kent-cic
• Instagraminstagram.com/socentkent/?hl=en-gb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Social Enterprise Kent CIC