Smarta 100 / Special Awards Nominees: Social Impact

These five businesses are focused on rescuing our fragile environment or improving the lives of disadvantaged people across the world. The businesses are commercially impressive too, making their products and services truly sustainable in every sense. The founders are living proof that you can succeed in business and make a truly positive impact on the world around you too.

Who will win?

Our judges decide on the overall winner from the shortlist of five companies you can see above. The winner is announced on 8 November at the Smarta 100 Awards Ceremony.

The judges will be looking for the business that creates most positive change on a daily basis, whose aim is to improve the lives of the people and industries it touches, or the natural environment, to greatest effect.

The prize

A year's free membership to Social Enterprise UK and a meal for four at The Brigade Bar and Restaurant in London.

The Brigade, which shares an ex Fire Station building with Social Enterprise UK, works in partnership with the Beyond Food Foundation, a social enterprise that offers catering apprenticeships to people who have been at risk of or have experienced homelessness. Apprentices gain qualifications and receive personal mentoring before going on to find jobs in the catering industry. Combining sophistication and rusticity, The Brigade's menu focuses on good produce and traditional British cookery. Drinks meanwhile are as well thought out as food, with clever cocktails, niche wines and micro-brewery beers.

The special award for social impact is sponsored by Social Enterprise UK.

2011 Winner

The winner in this category last year was CoaST, a business that helps small firms in the tourism sector make themselves more green, ethical and lean. The team champions the triple bottom line - people, planet and profit.

For more information about Social Enterprise UK, click here