EqualReach: A Year of Recognition and Impact
This past year has catalytic for EqualReach, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting displaced communities with meaningful work opportunities. As we continue to drive positive change in the employability sector, our efforts have been recognised through multiple prestigious awards. From national accolades to global honours, here's a look at the milestones we've achieved in 2024.
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Semifinalist: Santander X UK Startup Awards
EqualReach was named a semifinalist for the Santander X UK Startup Awards in November 2023.
The Santander X UK Awards is an annual entrepreneurship competition supporting thousands of early-stage businesses. Since its inception, it has provided over £1 million in funding. The 2023 national final was held at Santander’s headquarters in Milton Keynes, with high-profile judges, including investor Tinie Tempah, Olympian Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, and Santander UK’s CEO Mike Regnier.
Being recognised at this level was a huge milestone for us, further validating our impact in the startup ecosystem.
Winner: Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge
EqualReach was also recognised on the global stage as a winner of the Amazon x Social Shifters Global Refugee Challenge 2023!
This competition highlighted young innovators tackling the global refugee crisis with groundbreaking solutions. EqualReach, as a B2B impact sourcing hub, was selected for its role in connecting displaced talent to paid digital projects. This award recognises our commitment to breaking down employment barriers and creating opportunities for refugees to showcase their skills and contribute to the global workforce.
We are incredibly grateful to Amazon and Social Shifters for making this challenge possible. Together, we continue making a positive impact on the lives of displaced communities worldwide.
Explore more: Global Innovation Challenge
Recognised at The Conduit’s Refugee Summit
In February 2024, EqualReach was recognised as 1 of 12 global solutions at The Conduit’s Refugee Summit in London.
The Conduit’s Refugee Summit, in partnership with Forward Global, identified pioneering solutions addressing refugee settlement and integration. After reviewing hundreds of applications from international organisations, NGOs, and entrepreneurs, EqualReach was selected as one of the final 12 solutions presented at the event.
Our CEO, Giselle, also had the honour of delivering a keynote address, sharing insights on EqualReach’s work and its vision for the future.
Learn more: The Conduit Solutions Lab: Refugee Summit
Winner of the StartUp For Good Award
We kept the 2024 momentum going strong, winning the StartUp For Good Award for London at the UK StartUp Awards!
For those unfamiliar, the UK StartUp Awards are a national celebration of the UK's vibrant startup ecosystem. From the founders of The Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the Fast Growth 50 Index, these awards champion the best and brightest startups across the United Kingdom. With over 35 categories, including everything from Creative StartUp of the Year to Global StartUp of the Year, the awards recognise the diverse and innovative businesses shaping our future.
Winning the StartUp For Good Award is particularly meaningful for EqualReach. It underscores the importance of our mission-driven approach and acknowledges the positive impact we're making. The UK StartUp Awards aren't just about the ceremony; they provide a valuable platform for startups to gain recognition, build brand visibility, network with potential investors, and connect with a supportive community. We're grateful for the opportunity to be part of this incredible network.
Discover more: UK StartUp Awards
Santander X Global Challenge Winner
Adding to our success, EqualReach was also named a winner in the Santander X Global Challenge | Education, Employability, and Entrepreneurship!
The Santander X Global Challenge, launched by Santander and Oxentia Foundation, seeks innovative solutions to address pressing societal challenges. This year, the challenge focused on education, employability, and entrepreneurship. EqualReach was selected from over 800 startups and scaleups from 11 countries, a truly humbling achievement.
The winners were announced at the Digital Enterprise Show (DES) 2024 in Malaga, Spain, a leading international tech and digital transformation event. Winning this challenge not only brought us recognition but also provided us with vital resources, including prize money, access to the Santander X 100 community, and the opportunity to present our work at Santander's Fintech Station. This support will be instrumental in scaling our impact and reaching even more people.
Read more: Santander X Global Challenge
Finalist: 2024 Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Great British Entrepreneur Awards
In addition to these major wins, a member of the EqualReach team was a Finalist for the 2024 Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Great British Entrepreneur Award.
The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the inspiring stories of entrepreneurs across the UK. Being recognised as a finalist alongside businesses representing a combined turnover of nearly £2.9 billion and employing approximately 20,000 people, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire EqualReach team.
Learn more: The Great British Entrepreneur Awards
Winner: 3rd Place at IGNITE Competition at The Shard, London
EqualReach also secured 3rd place in the IGNITE competition, hosted by the Ford Family Foundation at The Shard, London.
IGNITE is a unique pitching competition designed exclusively for social entrepreneurs. It supports high-impact social enterprises with funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. With a prize pool of £50,000, this event accelerates the growth of innovative, scalable, and sustainable social enterprises emerging from UK universities.
Being recognised as a top finalist at The Shard—one of London’s most iconic locations—was an unforgettable experience and further proof of the impact EqualReach is creating.
Read more: IGNITE Competition
Shortlisted: Captivating Mission Award – SeedLegals Startup Awards 2025
The good news keeps coming! We're incredibly excited to announce that EqualReach has been shortlisted in the Captivating Mission category at the SeedLegals Startup Awards 2025.
The SeedLegals Startup Awards celebrate the stars of the UK startup scene, recognising the visionaries and innovators who are driving real change. We were thrilled to learn that the judges were impressed by our mission and the positive impact we're having.
The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at the Roundhouse in London on 14 May 2025. We're honoured to be shortlisted and look forward to celebrating alongside fellow entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Find out more: SeedLegals Awards
A Year of Growth, Recognition, and Impact
As we reflect on this incredible year, we are immensely grateful for the recognition and support from these prestigious organisations. Each award and nomination fuels our commitment to expanding EqualReach’s impact and creating even more opportunities for those who need them most.
We look forward to 2025 with excitement and determination, ready to continue breaking barriers and driving change in the world of employability.
Thank you to our supporters, partners, and the incredible communities we serve. This journey is just getting started.
Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on our journey and see what’s next!
