Cause UK is working once again to promote technology for good and is handling the PR and media for Dotforge Impact. A new cohort of tech start ups with a social conscience have started an accelerator programme of funding and mentoring in Manchester.
Dotforge, which has just launched new offices at Central Working in the city, is partnering with the Key Fund and the RSA to help teams creating technology that can improve society.
Dotforge is investing £20,000 in each successful team and connecting them through a 13-week curriculum to a network of friends, investors and advisors who will help with the creation and growth of the companies. After a further nine months there will be the opportunity to apply for up to a further £500,000.
Emma Cheshire, managing director, CEO and co-founder of Dotforge, said: “We have successfully graduated two programmes during the last two years and we are delighted to expand our reach through our new offices in Manchester and to offer our second accelerator to help new social entrepreneurs
“These are early stage tech companies and we are delighted with the creativity and talent of our latest teams. We consider Dotforge to be an ever-growing family of founders, companies big and small in the UK and of various domains. Our aim is helping our new companies and teams to build a product that people will love.”
Dotforge defines a tech social venture as any company that seeks to use technology for social good. This is either as its social goal or as a positive effect of its use.
The latest teams to benefit from Dotforge’s accelerator are: Limitless Travel, School of Code, Chatartic, Kaini Industries, Kuorum, Textocracy, Foodbank app and Litmus.
Their social benefits include a digital currency to help people in need, an app that alerts foodbank supporters about what food is needed by poor families and a travel portal for disabled people.
Dotforge Impact is powered by funding by the Social Incubator Fund, which is managed by Big Lottery for the Office for Civil Society, Cabinet Office and Barclays Rise.
To find out more go to http://www.dotforge.com/