Tangent: Enhancing Social Mobility in Tech Industry with Success
Tangent, a London-based technology start-up, has successfully closed an £884k ($1.1 million) pre-seed round aimed at enhancing social mobility in the tech industry. Founded by LinkedIn and EE alumni Gary Izunwa and Joe Adams, Tangent serves as a platform that facilitates connections between jobseekers from low socioeconomic backgrounds and tech employees for mentoring and referrals. The recent investment round saw participation from Zinc VC, Google Black Founders Fund, and the Syndicate Room, along with key angel investors such as Leonard Picardo (Deliveroo), Catherine Lenson, and Andrew Robb.
Recent data reveals a stark disparity in the tech industry, with only 9% of employees in the UK coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds, despite this group making up 39% of the total population.
In comparison, the finance and law industries show higher rates of employees from similar backgrounds, signaling a pressing need for initiatives like Tangent. The platform initially focuses on entry-level tech sales roles and connects jobseekers with leading tech employers in London, including companies like Stripe, Amazon, and Revolut.
Co-founder and CEO of Tangent, Gary Izunwa, drew inspiration from his personal journey and observations during his time at LinkedIn to create a platform that addresses the challenges faced by individuals from less privileged backgrounds. Meeting during Zinc VC's Venture Builder program, Gary and Joe leveraged their shared vision to develop Tangent's MVP and secure partnerships with prominent companies. As Tangent transitions out of beta, the team continues to expand its network of socially diverse, talented individuals, providing them with access to opportunities that were previously out of reach.
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