TAP - the tech for good startup that's taking on homelessness...

by Startacus Admin
We have written many times before about tech for good startups, and specifically about those that help to tackle
homelessness. Homelessness is a huge problem, and until the government deigns it worthy of their time and does something about it, it’s up to altruistic individuals and the likes of tech-for-good startups to do what they can to help.
London-based TAP is one of these startups. The idea is that TAP vendors collect money for charity - currently New Horizons and Shelter from the Storm - via a portable card swipe (or tap) machine. For £3, you buy a TAP card that features a new piece of art every week. These vendors are all people who are facing homelessness, and have been employed by TAP to help keep them off the streets. Vendors are recruited via referrals from local charities and shelters, and through a regular outreach. Currently, at least £1 of each TAP card purchase will go to the two charities, as the priority is to pay and support the vendors.
Co-founders Polly Gilbert and Katie Whitlock are an English graduate and a brand planner with two degrees, respectively, and neither really had anything under their belt that prepared them for, or suggested, charity work. But TAP was born from a simple and quite common experience, when Polly and her boyfriend were buying a couple of hotdogs in cold weather and spotted a homeless man sitting in a doorway. The man told them he had already eaten five hotdogs that evening, the money for which Polly knew could have got him a full week’s stay in a night shelter, with meals included. When she met up with soon-to-be co-founder Katie, they talked about how this kind of small-scale giving could provide longer-term help. TAP was the result.
This method of employing the very people TAP is set up to help is one of the best ideas we have seen in a tech-for-good startup for a while, and we think (and hope) their success will continue.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Got a business in the manufacturing sector? These tips on how you can reduce energy costs while being more sustainable are well worth a read...

Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.

Nassia Skoulikariti, Director of IoT Programmes, Mobile Ecosystem Forum shares some insights on how IoT is having a significant impact on all our lives.

Roger James Hamilton, Founder and CEO of Genius Group, a world-leading entrepreneur Edtech and education group, discusses how introducing a globalized curriculum will help better prepare students.

SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.

41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.

Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.

Thingtrax Secures £4.3M to Empower Manufacturers to Build the Factories of the Future

A measure of inflation relief for small firms sees transport costs fall but service price increases remain elevated

Bedfordshire-based HR tech startup HR DataHub has built a range of tools for HR departments
Published on: 27th December 2017
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.







- SureIn Secures €4M to Close the SMB Insurance Gap 15th Aug 2023 Innovative InsurTech startup SureIn announces a €4M Seed round to further its mission of making insurance easy, transparent and hassle-free for SMBs.
- SuperFi raises $1M pre-seed funding round 28th Jul 2023 SuperFi, the debt prevention platform, has announced a $1m pre-seed funding round to support people during the cost of living crisis.
- Startups rely on AI & sustainability for new partnerships 27th Jul 2023 41 startups from 13 countries, including the UK, have been selected for the 8th Kickstart Innovation program, one of Europe’s leading innovation platforms.
- Another Round closes £300k Seed round to revolutionise personal training 21st Jul 2023 Personal training platform Another Round has secured £300k in its latest fundraise, including investment from angels and its community.