13 January 2022
Today we open the call for applications to our 2022 AI for Environmental Sustainability in partnership with the Met Office and Microsoft. This is the fourth programme developed and delivered together, through a shared vision of AI that transforms the lives of people and communities.
Recent research has shown that only 41 percent of UK organisations are on track to reach the government’s 2050 environmental sustainability targets. The programme responds to an urgent need to address is, and challenges in the following areas:
> Reducing carbon emissions and waste
> Preserving water
> Protecting ecosystems
Social Tech Trust will use their sector-specific expertise to support ventures:
> Turn their learning into practice and, ultimately, social impact.
> Expand their network through expert partners and deliver support.
> With 1:1 support via a portfolio manager who will help the Cohort connect to the people and organisations in our network who can support their development and help them develop their social transformation vision.
Applications are open now, until 20th February 2022. Successful ventures will participate in a four-month programme, starting in March 2022 and will benefit from talks, workshops, seminars and 121 sessions in business development, marketing, technical support, social impact, climate science and innovation delivered by thematic experts.
Ed Evans, CEO of Social Tech Trust said: “From floods to forest fires, 2021 was a global wake-up call for how we engage with the planet. In the aftermath of climate disasters and COP26, we’re focusing on the role of AI and social tech in addressing environmental sustainability and tackling climate change. We’re searching for innovative ventures to help create a better world for us all.”
The previous AI for Social Impact cohort consisted of 13 ambitious, purpose-led tech ventures committed to shaping a better future by supporting the UK healthcare and manufacturing industries – two of the areas hardest hit by the pandemic – to recover faster and better from COVID-19. 85% of our leaders were from underrepresented backgrounds or had lived experience of their challenge. Find out more about them in our 2021 ‘Impact Report’.
Our programmes are open to people from all backgrounds, and we are particularly interested in hearing from founders and teams from under-represented groups. For application criteria, FAQs and to apply, click here.