The Social Impact Spin-Outs (SISO) programme supported Dr Sinead Rhodes and her team with a wide range of support to form EPIC Think Learn – a Community Interest Company (CIC) committed to improving the learning and wellbeing of neurodivergent children through research-based resources, training, and support for parents, teachers, and clinicians.
Based in Scotland, EPIC Think Learn addresses the critical gap in support for children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and ADHD. With NHS assessment waiting times around three years, EPIC’s innovative approach provides much-needed support pre-diagnosis, aligning with the Scottish Government’s Neurodevelopmental Specification (2021) which states that support “should not wait for diagnosis”.
A spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, EPIC Think Learn serves to urgently inform and empower parents, educators, and clinicians with strategies to support neurodivergent children. Offerings encompass an online platform with resources, training programmes, and expert-led webinars – enabling collaborative action to address the needs of these children while minimising negative impacts of delayed diagnosis and support.
As neurodevelopmental disorders increasingly impact educational outcomes and mental health, EPIC Think Learn stands poised through SISO’s support to serve as a vital resource for enabling whole-of-society support for neurodivergent children. The coming years promise immense potential for initiatives leveraging academic research to accelerate progress towards a more inclusive and supportive environment for all children.
The Problem
When EPIC Think Learn first came together, it became clear quite quickly that for them to fulfil their mission, they would need extensive support in starting up and operating as a social enterprise.
As a group of academics with a powerful idea, the ins-and-outs of business and where to begin were questions not easily answered. Formed as a social enterprise spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, EPIC needed assistance in developing many aspects of their business, from devising a business plan to defining their legal structure, acquiring funding, and guidance on how to operate as a sustainable social enterprise.
The Solution
To progress the vision of Dr Rhodes and her team, SISO brought together resources to provide long-standing, bespoke business support to help them achieve their goals.
SISO provided comprehensive, tailored support to help EPIC Think Learn transition from an academic project to a fully-fledged social enterprise. This support included pre-formation exploration, assistance in defining their product and service offerings, guidance on legal structure options, support in forming as a Community Interest Company, help in securing initial grant funding, assistance in successfully identifying additional funding streams, and ongoing mentoring and guidance.
Critically, SISO helped EPIC with access to important legal advice for operating as a CIC, as well as access to Scotland’s world-leading social enterprise ecosystem of support. This included helping EPIC secure a Start It award from Firstport, Scotland’s development agency for start-up social entrepreneurs and social enterprises. SISO has since helped EPIC to successfully secure significant grant funding from a responsible investment company to help the organisation develop the next stage of its service offering.
The Outcome
By embedding robust governance guardrails and helping them to achieve funding, SISO empowered the EPIC Think Learn founders to incorporate as a CIC – becoming one of the University of Edinburgh’s first social enterprise spin-outs – and secure the growth funding needed to both start and grow the organisation.
EPIC Think Learn is now well on its way to progressing their vision of supporting neurodivergent children across Scotland and beyond. Their innovative online platform will provide critical resources and support to parents, teachers, and clinicians, and ultimately improve outcomes for neurodivergent children.
Got a Great Idea?
Are you an academic with research that could change lives? Don’t let your innovation stay within university walls. SISO is here to help you turn your research into a thriving social enterprise. We’ve supported groundbreaking initiatives like EPIC Think Learn, Sustainable Futures Global and C2LI – yours could be next.
Whether you’re just exploring possibilities or ready to launch, our tailored support can guide you every step of the way. From business planning to funding, legal structures to market entry, we’re here to transform your research into real-world impact.
Don’t wait. Your ideas could be transforming lives tomorrow. Contact SISO today and let us help bring your research to life.
Get in touch now.
