Techstarter is our social innovation award programme, developed in partnership with Vodafone and its charitable arm, the Vodafone Foundation.

The programme supports start -ups and early-stage ventures to develop innovative technology solutions with social purpose. Vodafone Techstarter aims to uncover and develop ideas that can harness the power of technology, connectivity and innovation to improve health, education, environmental protection or social mobility.

In addition to receiving a financial award, winners benefit from access to industry and technology expertise from Vodafone and Social Tech Trust, enabling them to take their innovations from prototype to market readiness.  This includes coaching, commercial development support, mentorship, investment and partnership advice.

The winners were revealed in February 2019, as Code 4000, Full Fact, The Children’s Society and Wayfindr in the not-for-profit category; and Alice SI, Blakbear, Lettus Grow and Walk With Path and in the for-profit category. The Techstarter Champion’s award – voted for by Vodafone employees – went to The Children’s Society and LettUs Grow. The ventures use a range of technologies, from mobile apps and the Internet of Things to artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Read more about the programme here.