Social enterprise helping the homeless gets royal seal of approval

A social enterprise which helps homeless people has been given the royal seal of approval after winning the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Beam, founded by Jewish entrepreneur Alex Stephany, uses crowdfunding to help people who are homeless. 

The public donates towards individual campaigns and leave messages of support, while they are also matched up with employers and landlords in the capital.

Its efforts were recognised after it was handed the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the ‘promoting opportunity’ category, which awards social mobility programmes across the UK.

“We believe that business can and must play a positive role in addressing society’s most urgent problems,” said Mr Stephany. 

“As a social impact business, Beam is committed to building technology that is just as good as Spotify and Netflix, but for the most disadvantaged people in society.

“Through this award, we hope to inspire others to use business as a force for good.”

To date, Beam says it has supported more than 250 homeless people into stable jobs and homes, after crowdfunding £2m in donations – all of which goes towards helping those in need.

Those that win a Queen’s Award for Enterprise are eligible to fly The Queen’s Awards flag at their main office, and use the emblem on its marketing. The award lasts for five years.