Board Dashboard
A summary view for trustees, directors, advisors and senior supporters. Updated monthly by the TechStart team.
Funding pipeline
Weighted by probability of success
Across 7 active applications.
Grant success rate
Decided applications
2 won · 1 unsuccessful · avg grant £72,500
Reach
Boroughs and pathways covered
5 programmes running
Programme delivery status
On track. 94% retention in C-2025-A.
Funding renewal pending decision.
Showcase scheduled, 24 graduates ready.
On track; Cohort C-2025-B in progress.
Demand outpacing mentor supply; recruiting.
Narrative update
A short summary from the team this month
Q1 2025 has been a strong quarter for delivery. Cohort C-2025-A is engaging well across Digital Futures and Pathways Into Tech, with retention at 94%. Two new corporate partners — Octopus Energy and Goldman Sachs Gives — are in early conversations, and the Esmée Fairbairn application is now with the funder for a decision in May.
Our priorities for the next four weeks are securing the Pathways funding renewal, growing the apprenticeship pipeline with Lloyds and Monzo, and launching the Graduate Showcase. The team would welcome the Board's support on warm introductions to Berlin tech employers ahead of the City of London delegation in June.
Key risks
- Esmée Fairbairn decision delayed beyond May would create a Q3 funding gapHigh
Mitigation: Accelerate GLA proposal and reopen Paul Hamlyn dialogue.
- Hackney NEET referral volumes below targetMedium
Mitigation: New referral MOU with Hackney Council in draft; Open Day on 22 May.
- Mentor capacity tight for Cohort C-2025-AMedium
Mitigation: 24 mentors onboarded in April; recruiting 10 more by end of May.
- Single point of failure on fundraising leadLow
Mitigation: Sade Akande joining as Major Donor Lead in May.
Top priorities this month
- 1Submit GLA NEET Engagement proposal (£250k) by 30 May
- 2Confirm Graduate Showcase sponsors and programme
- 3Sign Lloyds Q2 apprenticeship cohort agreement
- 4Complete Berlin delegation risk assessment and travel approvals
- 5Publish Q1 Impact Report to funders and partners
Upcoming events
No upcoming events.
Asks of the Board
Where trustee support would unlock progress this month
- Senior contact at Goldman Sachs UK Foundation
- Berlin-based tech employer for delegation host visit
- Head of Apprenticeships at a major retail bank (beyond Lloyds and Monzo)
- Multi-year unrestricted gift of £75–150k to underpin core team
- Sponsor for Graduate Showcase — £15k headline opportunity
- Introductions to 3–5 fintech scale-ups with apprenticeship capacity
- Warm intro to TfL Engineering for September apprenticeship intake
- Guidance on social investment readiness ahead of Better Society Capital conversation
- Review of draft 2025–28 strategic plan in advance of June board meeting
- Board host required for Funder Roundtable on 25 April
- Trustees invited to attend Graduate Showcase on 10 May — please RSVP