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Book an informal 30-minute chat with our Ventures team now to find out more

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Apply for investment

We support pre-seed and seed stage organisations that are seeking to harness technology to improve the working lives of people on low-pay or in insecure employment. We are funding solutions that benefit adults in work, or going into work that are:

We support ventures in three ways:

– Jump to: Investment criteria – Direct investment

– Jump to: BGV Tech for Good Programme (applications open May 2022)

– Jump to: The problems we’re tackling

– Jump to: How to apply

 

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Direct investment

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. You may have distribution partners in place, or this may be part of your future plans.

Ventures who receive direct investment are likely to be at the pre-seed or seed stage, with a prototype or product showing some evidence that it can address the targeted problem. We’re looking for a team of people with the skills and experience to solve the identified problem, with an idea of a sustainable business model to support scale-up, and some evidence of user engagement and testing.

We are looking to make equity investments in entities, but also have the capacity to make loans and other forms of investment where suitable. Approximate ticket size is £30k – 70k.

 

young people meeting

Our investment criteria

An innovative technical solution

An innovative technical solution to improve the lives of low-paid or insecure workers. This could be either a new technology, or an innovative way of using an existing technology to tackle a particular issue for workers.

Accessible and affordable

Accessible and affordable, with a sustainable business model. This means keeping costs low for end-users, and identifying other sources of income such as employers or training providers.

A talented team

A talented team of diverse founders with commitment to the mission and vision, with appropriate technical experience within the team.

Strong market understanding

A strong understanding of the problem and market, including a clear understanding of the workers you are trying to reach, how you will reach them, and your competitors in the market.

Evidence your solution fits the problem

Some evidence that the proposed solution can address the targeted problem, for example user research and engagement, prototype testing, or onboarding of initial customers.

Fair employment practices

A commitment to fair employment practices, including fair pay and the Living Wage, within the organisation. As the Resolution Foundation exists to improve living standards for those on low to middle incomes, we are looking to support ventures that align with our values in their own employment practices.

Bethnal Green Tech for Good Programme

In addition to funding ventures directly, we partner with Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) to support some ventures through their Tech for Good Programme. If you would like to apply for investment through this route, you will need to meet Resolution Venture’s investment criteria, BGV’s criteria, and will need to be a company incorporated with shares.

BGV run their programme twice a year. Apply here.

Ventures who are accepted on to BGVs Tech for Good Programme are mostly pre-product or pre-revenue.

We also support all our ventures through:

What kind of problems are we looking to solve?

The issues surrounding low pay and insecure work are complex, and many have been exacerbated by the pandemic. We believe that there are opportunities for ventures to address these through a range of approaches. Below are some examples of the problems we are tackling, and how technology can help. You can also browse our current portfolio of ventures.

The problems we're tackling

Lack of access to information

Issue: Low-paid workers or those in insecure work lack of access to information about alternative jobs and training opportunities

Ways technology could help: Improved ‘search and match’ of workers to higher paid jobs, training, coaching or mentoring, and to find roles that are more customised to their personal preferences about working life.

Not knowing how skills can be transferred

Issue: Low-paid workers or those in insecure work don’t know how their skills could be transferred to other higher paid roles or career paths.

Ways technology could help: Digital skills assessments that analyse a workers existing skill set, and suggest viable career transitions to better paid or more secure work.

Limited progression

Issue: Overrepresented groups, including women, BAME groups, and young people, in sectors such as agriculture, delivery, construction, retail, hospitality and care, lack access to progression and higher paid roles.

Ways technology could help: Platforms to provide skills and progression opportunities to new audiences. Portfolio ventures, Upskill Me, helps young people earn skills badges to improve their career opportunities.

Lack of communication with peers

Issue: Workers lack the means to communicate with peers working for the same employers, or in the same industries.
Ways technology could help: Digital forums, petitions and information sharing. Organise in the pilot portfolio, provides a good example of this method, with their platform providing a way for workers to collectively campaign on issues.

Difficulty accurately comparing jobs

Issue: Workers lack the ability to compare data on wage differentials, benefits, representation in occupations, and skill requirements.

Ways technology can help: Sourcing and aggregating data to provide workers with clear comparisons between employers and sectors. Pilot venture, Breakroom, allows hourly-paid workers to compare their jobs to find out if they’re getting a good deal at work.

Lack of access to careers advice

Issue: Those leaving school or further education lack access to detailed careers advice and guidance in their local labour market.

Ways technology can help: Platforms that use labour market data to provide insights into local job and training opportunities.

How do I apply?

Direct Investment

The first step is filling in the simple expression of interest form below. This is followed with an initial meeting with one of the team which will be followed up with any additional questions or information needed, and further conversations where necessary. Final investment decisions are made by our Social Investment Committee in their quarterly meetings, following due diligence and a recommendation from the Ventures Team.
  • For direct investment, applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • To make an expression of interest for investment, please fill out the form below and one of the ventures team will be in touch.
  • By doing so, you are granting the Resolution Foundation permission to store these details and share them with our Workertech funders.
  • You are also granting permission for the Resolution Foundation to contact you in relation to the Workertech programme.

Bethnal Green Ventures Tech for Good Accelerator

In addition to funding ventures directly, we partner with Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) to support some ventures through their Tech for Good Programme. If you would like to apply for investment through this route, you will need to meet Resolution Venture’s investment criteria, BGV’s criteria, and will need to be a company incorporated with shares.  BGV run their programme twice a year. Applications for the next cohort open in May 2022, with the programme starting in Autumn 2022. Ventures who are accepted on to BGVs Tech for Good Programme are mostly pre-product or pre-revenue.
  • To apply, you will need to fill out BGV’s application form when applications open in May 2022, and will be invited to interview if successful in reaching the shortlist.
  • The Autumn programme will then start later this year, and you’ll remain part of the BGV community for life.

Pre-application chat with the Ventures team

For an informal conversation with one of the team about either route before you apply, please sign up to a 30 minute slot here.
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