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.
Black Young Professional Network, aka BYP Network will hit and surpass their Seedrs £500k funding round target.
.jpeg)
Planning to hire an accountant for your startup? Here are a few of the things you should consider before you do just that...
Sustainable reward scheme Bagboard, a first-of-its-kind advertising platform for planet-friendly brands launches £600k funding round
The London-based startup that's disrupting the insurance industry by its collective-based model for cycling insurance
More than half of employees concerned about returning to work and majority of employees NOT comfortable using public transport
The GCHQ Innovation Co-Lab is on the hunt for companies harnessing data science, machine learning and AI techniques to create real products and solutions.
Eppik is a smart family photo sharing platform that helps families reconnect through their shared photo heritage
New targets set by 30% Club aimed at achieving both gender diversity and fully inclusive cultures on FTSE Boards, Executive Committees and Chair Appointments
Xero’s Roadmap to Recovery manifesto launched as new data confirms impact of COVID-19 on UK small business revenue and employment
In this article, we’ll be exploring how new users can build their first Magento store and drive it towards online dominance.
Published on: 27th December 2017
.png)
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- More than half of employees concerned about returning to work 2nd Jul 2020 More than half of employees concerned about returning to work and majority of employees NOT comfortable using public transport
- GCHQ Innovation Co-Lab seeks startups harnessing data science, machine learning and AI 2nd Jul 2020 The GCHQ Innovation Co-Lab is on the hunt for companies harnessing data science, machine learning and AI techniques to create real products and solutions.
- Ten Years On: 30% Club Sets New Targets 1st Jul 2020 New targets set by 30% Club aimed at achieving both gender diversity and fully inclusive cultures on FTSE Boards, Executive Committees and Chair Appointments
- Xero’s Roadmap to Recovery manifesto launched 1st Jul 2020 Xero’s Roadmap to Recovery manifesto launched as new data confirms impact of COVID-19 on UK small business revenue and employment
