Analysis and action on living standards
Resolution Ventures exists to back innovative start-ups seeking to change the world of work for the better and early-stage ventures seeking to improve the prospects of low-to-middle income Britain.
Our new Workertech Programme is now open for applications from pre-seed and seed stage organisations seeking to harness technology to improve the prospects, power and career-choices of workers – particularly those on low-pay or in insecure employment.
What is the Workertech Partnership?
The Workertech Partnership is a new three year programme of social investment, support and convening to support and grow new social ventures; to create a Workertech ecosystem; and to create better working lives.
It is backed by the Resolution Foundation, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Friends Provident Foundation, Accenture, Ufi VocTech Trust and Trust for London.
Backing a new wave of innovators who will harness technology to improve the prospects, power and choices of workers
The world of work was already changing rapidly before the crisis, with rising use of automation and increasing levels of insecure work. Coronavirus has highlighted how exposed many people are to changes in hours, lack of health and safety protections,
How we're using social investment to complement our policy and analytical work
An introduction from our Director of Ventures Today the Resolution Foundation launches a whole new section of our website: Resolution Ventures. Here we will be talking about the social investment and ventures work of the Foundation. In 2017 the Resolution
Time to learn from other Anglo-Saxon economies
Sinner or saint? The UK labour market is lauded for reaching record levels of employment at the same time as it is lacerated for the insecurities that are said to be its central feature. Two things can, however, be true
We are open to applications for funding from companies, charities, CICs and cooperatives. You do not need to be incorporated in the UK, but you should have a significant focus on supporting workers in the UK.
In addition to funding ventures directly, we are working with Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) to support some ventures through their Tech for Good Accelerator programme. If you would like to take part in this aspect of the programme, you will need to meet their accelerator criteria, and will need to be a company.
The workers that we want to benefit from this are:
If you would like to register your interest in applying for seed-stage investment, please click here to find out more.
Bethnal Green Ventures are Europe’s leading early-stage ‘Tech for Good’ VC, with over eight years’ experience of supporting Tech for Good ventures. Through the WorkerTech partnership with Resolution Ventures and Accenture they have invested in Organise, Labour xchange, Workerbird, Earwig, and Upskill Me and Tendo, and build a community of changemakers interested in shaping a fairer future of work. Information about applying to be the Workertech programme at Bethnal Green Ventures is available here.
If you have a more general question, you can email ventures@resolutionfoundation.org.
For further examples of what we’re looking for, take a look at our pilot portfolio below.
Earwig is an app that connects workers, allowing them to discover and share which jobs are good and which are bad. It empowers workers to use their voice for industry-wide change and gives them choices and control they didn’t have before. Visit website
Over the last eight years Indycube has worked to provide freelancers, micro-businesses, remote workers, and the self-employed with co-working spaces in which to work, so that they can live and thrive in their communities. Visit website
Tendo provides greater certainty in frontline work. At the end of week, Tendo generates a record with a proof of hours worked and skills demonstrated for an employee. This information is then verified by both the employee and their manager, ensuring its accuracy and trustworthiness. Visit website
Upskill Me are on a mission to help people develop the 21st-century skills needed to thrive. Upskill allows young people to earn points towards digital-skills badges and showcase their achievements, helping them to develop life skills that will set them apart for their future careers. Visit website
With Workerbird, workers collect their own data, on their own terms and for their own benefit. Helping people to track shifts, travel time, breaks and pay, as well as providing advice and support if needed. Visit website
Breakroom is the people-powered job comparison site for hourly work. It helps workers compare their jobs to find out if they’re getting a good deal at work. Visit website
There are over 7 million people in the UK who can’t work enough hours as they cannot find work that fits around their current commitments. Labour Xchange enables businesses to utilise these people’s free time, giving them the best staff when required and supporting the underemployed, parents and carers to bring in additional income that fits in with their lives. Visit website
Organise
Every day people use Organise to transform their working lives — directly inside their workplaces and through campaigning nationally. There are now over 78,000 workers taking action with Organise. Visit website
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