September WorkerTech Round-Up

This month we’re pleased to share some big news of our own

Resolution Ventures has launched a new £9 million WorkerTech fund, dedicated to backing start-ups that use technology to improve work in sectors marked by low pay and insecure employment.

The fund has already secured £6.75 million at first close, with support from a coalition of investors including Better Society Capital, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Ufi VocTech Trust and others.

It builds on the success of our earlier £1.5 million WorkerTech Partnership, which has invested in 15 companies and reached more than 2 million workers.

Our portfolio already includes platforms like Organise, which helps workers campaign for better pay and conditions; Valla, which provides accessible legal support for workplace issues; and TaskHer, which connects tradeswomen with homeowners.

With our new fund, we can scale this impact further, supporting more ventures that address issues of pay, power, prospects and wellbeing at work.

You can learn more about the new fund and book some time to speak with our investment team here: Resolution Ventures.

Please read: Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high‑risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.

Latest insights from the Resolution Foundation

Money on my mind: Examining financial resilience for low-to-middle-income families

Living standards are usually measured by income, but the our economists' recent analysis highlights the importance of balance sheets in households, that is savings, debt and arrears for low-to-middle-income families across Britain. A households' balance sheet is what shapes how households can respond to financial shocks.

The report finds that:
(i) Two-thirds of working-age families have less than three months’ income in liquid savings.
(ii) Half of the poorest fifth have under £1,000 set aside for emergencies.
(iii) Consumer debt burdens are lower than before the financial crisis, but arrears on essentials like energy bills and Council Tax have surged.

Interviews with families revealed that many prioritise bill payments above all else, even if that means running down savings or using credit cards for day-to-day spending.

This is an area where we as investors see massive potential for innovation to help, here are some specific problems and solutions we would like to see more of:

• Making savings buffers possible
  Tools that make it easy to build and hold small, accessible cushions. Low-friction platforms or apps that prioritise accessibility and simple nudges that are mindful of tight budgets.

• Arrears prevention and bill management
  Early-warning systems that spot rising risk on essentials (energy, Council Tax, rent) and help people act before late fees and collections kick in.

• Protecting against income volatility 
  Products that help workers manage irregular hours and pay cycles.

• Debt resolution at scale
  Digital triage for arrears that connects households, creditors, and advice providers. Such solutions can lower workload and costs for councils and utilities while improving financial outcomes for working families.

• Practical financial education in-journey
  Short, actionable guidance delivered at the point of financial decision-making: features like setting savings rules, custom repayment plans, or creating emergency funds can help those with limited financial literacy navigate budgeting and saving.

The Resolution Foundation turns 20

This month also marks the Resolution Foundation’s 20th anniversary!

Since 2005, the Foundation has worked to put living standards at the heart of the UK policy debate – from helping shape the National Living Wage to exposing the long stagnation in household incomes.

The anniversary review, Resolution Foundation at 20, reflects on these achievements and looks ahead to the challenges of the next two decades: tackling child poverty, boosting productivity, and ensuring growth is broadly shared.

The mission remains the same as it was at the start – lifting living standards for low- and middle-income families.

You can read our special 20th anniversary publication here: RF at 20

Get involved

Greenworkx X Resolution Foundation on the Warm Homes Plan

Greenworkx is teaming up with economists from the Resolution Foundation's net zero team and a panel of experts to consider the implications of the Government's upcoming Warm Homes plan. The plan promises to deliver energy-saving measures to 5 million households, it's a crucial moment in the UK's clean energy transition.

Limited in-person spaces are available here, but a live stream will be available to watch online.

EarlyBird is hiring
EarlyBird is one the most exciting companies in our portfolio and they're growing. If you have sales experience, passionate about helping people get into good employment and are interested in joining an impact-driven high-growth startup, EarlyBird's newly opened SDR position might be for you. Learn more here: Sales Development Representative at EarlyBird.

✨ Apply for direct investment from Resolution Ventures 
We accept applications from WorkerTech ventures on a rolling basis and expect to make new investments from autumn this year onwards. You can book a slot in our office hours for an initial conversation.