ImpactU

We’re proud to be part of ImpactU Pathfinder Awards, a £1 million pre-seed fund supporting early-stage social ventures emerging from universities across England.

Universities have long been engines of fresh thinking, bold ideas, and breakthrough research. But turning that potential into real-world impact takes support — the right kind, at the right time.

That’s where the ImpactU Pathfinder Awards comes in.

This £1 million pre-seed fund is backing early-stage social ventures emerging from universities across England. With 26 investments planned by March 2026, ImpactU offers up to £40,000 to ventures working to address urgent social challenges, from health and education to climate and equity, through innovative, scalable solutions.

A collective effort to unlock impact at the source

We’re part of this journey as members of the ImpactU Investment Committee. Alongside a network of partners, we’re supporting the selection and growth of ventures with both social ambition and technological promise.

Through our involvement, we contribute:

• Experience identifying ventures with the potential to create systemic change

• Tailored support to help early-stage founders strengthen their mission and model

• Access to a wider network of impact-focused investors, mentors, and collaborators

Many social ventures face a funding gap at the earliest stages, especially those coming out of academic environments. ImpactU helps bridge that gap, providing not just capital, but community, confidence, and capacity. For founders, it’s a chance to build with purpose from day one. For the sector, it’s a way to grow a more inclusive, diverse pipeline of ventures that put people and planet first.

Learn more about the investment criteria here.