Swindon & Wiltshire News
Free programme to help state school alumni become tech entrepreneurs launched in Bristol
A pioneering initiative to identify and support state school alumni who want to start tech companies has been launched in Bristol.
State School Ventures offers a free eight-week online course which equips participants with the skills they need to launch and grow a tech business.
While the program doesn’t guarantee funding, it provides critical insights into securing investment and connects participants with an influential network of entrepreneurs and mentors.
Despite only 5.9 per cent of UK students attending private schools, a disproportionate number of leadership positions in venture capital and technology are held by private school alumni.
In fact, state educated people are 13 times less likely to be a UK tech CEO than privately educated people.
In an attempt to redress the balance, State School Ventures was founded by chartered accountant turned serial tech firm founder and investor Tim Morgan (pictured).
“Statistically, UK private schools are a huge success story in entrepreneurship,” Tim explained.
“I believe that many of the privileges that private school educated people enjoy – confidence, network, time and money – can be provided to any talented person.
“Given that less than six per cent of children attend private school, the UK would benefit if the other 94 per cent had more access to these privileges.
“Ultimately I would like to have an SSV hub in every major conurbation of the UK.”
The initiative was launched at the Bristol offices of law firm RWK Goodman on January 16, with an audience of founders, investors, and entrepreneurs in attendance.
Speakers included Dr Henry Crosby, PhD, co-founder of Martello, who shared insights into the early days of the Bristol-based prop-tech firm.
Participants in the initiative are supported by a range of tech industry mentors, including George Bevis, founder of SME banking service Tide; Sandra Lyness, a partner at supercomputer investment firm Tiny VC; Tom Rogers, founder of will-writing platform Farewill; e-commerce specialist Ya-Lin Timbs; Duncan Jennings, CEO of property marketplace Ostrich; and Rachit Moti, founder of Layer, a licensing marketplace for the gaming industry.
State School Ventures is currently recruiting for the next cohort. Applicants must have attended a state or grammar school and already have an idea for their start-up.
