Analysis and action on living standards
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Event invitations Top of the Charts weekend-reading email Resolution Ventures newsletter
