Tech500 - Building a more diverse tech industry

Client: upReach

Founded in 2012, upReach is a social mobility charity dedicated to supporting undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to access and sustain top graduate jobs. The vision of The Hg Foundation, an independent UK-registered charity, funded by Hg (a leading software and services investor), is to ensure the tech workforce of the future harnesses the talents of all, regardless of background.

United by a shared vision to improve diversity in the UK tech industry, the two organisations partner to deliver the upReach Tech500 programme - a ground-breaking initiative that provides 1-to-1 careers support to 500 students from lower income homes looking to break into the tech industry each year. The programme includes exclusive employer events, targeted application support, and digital skills training - equipping students with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Alongside funding the Tech500, The Hg Foundation has also generously supported upReach’s capacity building. This has enabled the charity to significantly grow the number of employer partners in the tech industry, forging thirteen new partnerships with tech giants like Accenture, Nvidia, and Rolls Royce. These partners provide game-changing career opportunities for undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, paving the way for a more diverse UK tech industry in the future.