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Breakthrough Process

Breakthrough's mission is to support leading social enterprises to accelerate their social mission. Our process is:

1. Initial Evaluation 
   CAN performs initial screening of candidate enterprises, clarifying their social mission, business model and plans for growth.
   
   
2. Development and Due Diligence 
   Where there is a good fit between the needs of the enterprise and Breakthrough resources, we enter a development and due-diligence stage. Working closely with the management team and trustees of the enterprise, CAN seeks evidence and builds consensus on the critical barriers to growth, then agrees a plan to tackle these - combining funding, strategic support and capacity building.
   
   
3. Commitment and Execution 
   Once approved by the Breakthrough Advisory Panel (see below), all parties commit to the execution stage and work in partnership to deliver the plan. CAN deploys the Breakthrough funding and resources according to the plan and monitors performance. Permira's team of professionals provide  financial and strategic support. Where appropriate, we also access relevant expertise through CAN and Permira networks to support the agreed strategy.
   
   
4. Breakthrough Advisory Panel
   The Breakthrough Advisory Panel provides strategic direction for the programme, approves investments, mobilises resources and monitors performance.
   • Adele Blakebrough, Chief Executive CAN (Chair)
   • Damon Buffini, Managing Partner of Permira
   • Tim Curry, Senior Partner of Ernst & Young
   • Alan Hirzel, Partner, Bain and Co

The CAN Social Investment team manages the process and the relationships with candidate social enterprises. The team work in conjunction with the social enterprise CEO and management team to build the investment case for the Breakthrough Advisory Panel approval.