Ventures June WorkerTech Round-Up: The Impact Report 30 June 2025 by Aish Moothan Aish Moothan Hot off the press – current heatwave notwithstanding – we’ve published our annual impact report this month. Our 2024 Impact & Learning Report looks back on what has been a bumper year for the Resolution Ventures team and our portfolio of ventures. Today’s newsletter brings you the highlights from that report as well as a roundup of all the latest research from the Resolution Foundation. If you’ve ever wanted a deep dive into the WorkerTech sector, the opportunities it holds, and the potential technology has to create change in the world of work – this is the newsletter issue for you. Until next month, Aish Moothan Ventures Manager, Resolution Ventures Our 2024 report reflects on our work as investors, the WorkerTech sector as it matures and the incredible impact our portfolio companies have realised over the past year. You can read in full here or read on for a summary and key highlights. About the report Our impact report looks at the work and impact of tech ventures that are improving workplace conditions for workers in low-pay or precarious work. We’re reflecting on our portfolio of 13 ventures as well as the trends that are shaping the sector as a whole. The highlights Breakroom exit: Our portfolio company, Breakroom was acquired by ZipRecruiter – read the report to see how this acquisition is a case study of impact as a source of commercial value; Market-shaping research: We launched the WorkerTech Market Map with Bethnal Green Ventures, which charts the direction of the sector across the UK and calls out the gaps in terms of data/investment and visibility; Reporting on our portfolio diversity. Our standout stat? 64% of portfolio founders are women, reflecting our ongoing efforts to invest in and elevate underrepresented founders in the UK startup ecosystem. Themes & Trends Innovation opportunities lie in care, hospitality, retail, construction, logistics; There is proven demand for worker-first platforms amid persistent low pay, skills shortages, and weak worker voice; Mental health and long-term sickness are driving up labour market inactivity, surfacing yet another gap for tech intervention and improvement. Lessons & Insights Here’s a selection of lessons learnt we cover in the report, but you can find the full list and write-ups in our main report. Mission-aligned business models can scale and just as effectively as commercial-first business models, read our thoughts on how impact can act as a source of value in our report. Investment needs differ by stage: we found that pre-seed ventures benefit most from investment network and market guidance. Building founder diversity requires actively reducing friction: open office hours, proactive outreach and no ‘warm intro’ requirements. You can read our report in full here Latest insights from the Resolution Foundation The power of place This report explores how geography continues to shape people’s life chances in Britain. It finds that local economic conditions, not just individual circumstances, play a decisive role in determining income, health, education, and access to opportunity. For example, even among people with similar qualifications, earnings vary significantly depending on where they live — with a graduate in Cambridge earning on average £10,000 more than a graduate in Barnsley. The report highlights how deep-rooted structural inequalities—such as the decline of good-quality jobs in post-industrial towns, poor transport links, and underinvestment in public services—have created persistent pockets of disadvantage across the country. Our analysis surfaces the case for a shift toward “place-based policy,” where investment and innovation are tailored to local context. We see parallel themes play out in the world of social investment. Funding, particularly venture capital investment remains heavily concentrated in London, a result of which is a booming startup sector in the capital and slower growth across the country. Regions like the West Midlands, Glasgow, Belfast, and Bristol have shown strong innovation momentum, yet collectively their VC inflows still trail far behind London. According to BVCA data, 2023 saw £20.1 billion in UK private capital investments, and £9.5 billion (47%) went to London-based companies. The Living Standards Outlook 2025 This annual forecast sets out the Foundation’s projections for household living standards in the year ahead. While inflation is falling and wages are rising in real terms, the recovery is fragile and uneven. Median disposable incomes are expected to remain below pre-pandemic levels until at least 2026, with low-income households, renters, and families with children facing the greatest pressure. The report shows that while some households are beginning to feel relief, key drivers of hardship persist. High housing costs, a freeze on housing benefits, increased tax burdens, and weak productivity growth are all slowing the pace of recovery. In particular, private renters face a growing gap between incomes and rent, with housing costs absorbing over 40% of income for the poorest fifth. As investors, we’re focused on building the financial resilience of low-paid and insecure workers in the UK. In terms of approaches, we’re interested in technologies that help with income smoothing, building savings. or tools that help navigate the benefits and welfare system. If you’re building in this space, get in touch as we’d love to hear and learn from you. Get involved The Camden Community Wealth Fund is launching soon. It will invest in businesses creating opportunities for young people that are run by diverse teams. They’re hosting investment readiness sessions on July 3rd and July 17th in London NW1. Find out more here. ✨ Investment from Resolution Ventures As we work towards our next investment fund, we want to speak to companies building worker-friendly technologies. You can book a slot in our office hours for an initial conversation.
