Deloitte Birmingham is calling on the most socially innovative local businesses to nominate themselves for the 'Deloitte Social Innovation Pioneers' programme, before entries close on 31 January. The national programme will identify and support 50 leading socially innovative small and medium sized companies across the UK. 

The Deloitte programme, which was launched in November by Nobel Laureate, Professor Muhammad Yunus, a worldwide advocate of social business, aims to identify social businesses that demonstrate sustainable positive impact and high-growth potential. In return, Deloitte will provide a package of support to help them achieve scale and become investment ready.

With an estimated 62,000 social enterprises in the UK, contributing approximately £24bn to the economy, Deloitte believes there is significant potential for these businesses to become an influential and mainstream economic sector. 

Chris Loughran, senior partner at Deloitte Birmingham, said: "The response so far to our programme has been fantastic. We have received a broad range of applications and we are very excited about some of the businesses that have applied. We'd welcome even more great applications, therefore, if you are a social business, do get your application in before the end of January, as we don't want you to miss out on this fantastic opportunity."

Applications to be a Pioneer will be closing at the end of January and Deloitte will announce the successful Social Innovation Pioneers in the spring of 2012. The package each winner will receive includes: access to Deloitte business experts and a dedicated team to manage the relationships and mentor the social business, networking opportunities with the firm's clients and wider contacts, master classes on topics including leadership, business skills and investment readiness, and where appropriate, help in creating a non-executive board as well as access to pro bono support.

Loughran continued: "At Deloitte, we understand that social innovation and enterprise needs support, investment and advice to fully realise their potential. Through the programme Deloitte is offering, we want to help those businesses fulfil their potential by offering our Partners' and people's expertise in realising high growth opportunities. At the same time, we are keen to learn from their innovation and creativity."