2 October 2018
Vodafone Launches Techstarter Initiative for Tech Ventures to Develop Social Innovations
Funding and mentoring for UK non-profit and for-profit social tech start-ups and early-stage ventures to develop innovative technology solutions with social purpose, from prototype to market readiness.
Vodafone Techstarter offers UK-based social tech ventures the chance to secure funding and gain access to expertise to help take transformational ideas from start-up to scale-up.
The programme aims to uncover and develop innovative ideas that can harness the power of technology, connectivity and innovation to improve health and wellbeing, education, environmental protection or social mobility and inequality.
A total of £300,000 will be distributed under the 2018 programme, as follows:
- For-profit Vodafone Techstarter Award – four winners will each receive £35,000 and a 12-month programme of support and value-in-kind.
- Not-for-profit Vodafone Techstarter Award – four winners will each receive £35,000 and a 12-month programme of support and value-in-kind.
- Vodafone Techstarter Champion’s Award – two winners, voted by Vodafone employees, will each receive £10,000.
In addition to the financial awards, winners will benefit from access to industry and technology expertise from Vodafone and the Social Tech Trust, enabling them to take their innovations from prototype to market readiness.
The programme is open to UK-based inventors, innovators, charities, CICs, social enterprises, businesses and entrepreneurs, with prototype ideas. All applications must have a clearly defined social purpose, helping tackle social challenges through technology, connectivity and innovation.
Helen Lamprell, Vodafone UK’s General Counsel & External Affairs Director and Vodafone Foundation Trustee, commented:
“Vodafone Techstarter is a hugely exciting opportunity for industry to contribute vital support, expertise and funding to help take early stage ventures driven by social purpose from start-up to scale-up.
“We believe that some of the biggest challenges in society can be addressed using technology and innovation. The UK has a fantastic opportunity to lead the way in providing solutions to some of society’s most pressing challenges.”
The stage one deadline for applications is 12 noon on Tuesday 23 October 2018.