OpenDoor

OpenDoor will support products, services or projects that can make work more inclusive. Our first cohort of innovators will join us on 2 October 2019, so watch this space!

Our challenge areas

We’ll help teams inside and outside of organisations develop their solution, find a route to market and reach a wider audience. For our first OpenDoor programme, our focus is on making work more inclusive for everyone.

Finding work

How can we equip people with the connections, information or tools they need to succeed, while helping employers understand how they might be inadvertently excluding people?

Inclusive workplaces

How can we create physical workplaces, policies, interview practices or cultures that attract a truly diverse talent pool?

Careers

How can innovation enable everyone to pursue meaningful work throughout their lives, and whatever their circumstances?

Entrepreneurship

How can we make it easier for people from under-represented groups to start a business, get the funding they need to scale and overcome conscious or unconscious bias?

Our criteria…

Teams: We’re looking to support teams inside or outside of organisations. You don’t need to be a registered company – just be in a team of two or more people.

Impact: Your product, service or project should be aimed at creating long-term impact that addresses the work-related challenges we’ve identified.

User-centric: The team should include people facing the inclusion challenge you’re addressing. Alternatively, you’ll aim to meaningfully include the target audience in your development process.

Become an OpenDoor mentor

Our 12-week accelerator kicks off on 2 October – when we’ll be welcoming entrepreneurs determined to make work more inclusive. And we’re currently looking for mentors to come on board and support them!

You could have expertise to share in a specific area (like marketing, pitching or funding) or be an entrepreneur or professional who’s been there and done that, and could help our innovators on their journey.

How to apply

If you’re interested, please fill in our online form so we can learn more about you and match you to our cohort of innovators (who have told us what areas they most need help with).

What happens if I’m paired with a mentee?

If you’re a match, we’d ask that you connect with your mentee for an hour a week from 2 October-19 December 2019. This could be done in person or remotely – it’s totally up to you and your mentee.
Please note that this is a voluntary role for people who are passionate about social inclusion and supporting budding innovators.