The Ufi Ventures Challenge Fund is designed to help scale tech-based solutions tackling the skills gaps emerging from economic, technological, and environmental transitions.
We invest into innovative, scalable tech-enabled solutions focused across five areas:
- Green economy skills development
The shift towards a low-carbon economy demands new skills across various sectors, including energy, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. There is a growing need for training solutions that equip the workforce with the competencies required for green jobs.
Investment focus:
- Start-ups offering digital platforms for upskilling in green technologies.
- Online courses and certifications focused on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental sciences.
- Tools for assessing and certifying green skills in existing workers. - Digital transformation & Industry 4.0
As industries undergo digital transformation, there is a pressing need for skills related to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT). These technologies are reshaping job roles and creating new opportunities that require a digitally skilled workforce.
Investment Focus:
- Ventures developing digital learning platforms for Industry 4.0 technologies.
- Tools for upskilling workers in automation, AI, and machine learning.
- Micro-credentialing platforms that recognise and validate digital skills. - Reskilling & upskilling in traditional industries
Traditional industries, including manufacturing, logistics, the creative economy and healthcare, are facing significant disruption due to technological advancements and shifting market demands. There is a need for targeted reskilling and upskilling initiatives to ensure workers in these sectors can continue to thrive in these industries.
Investment Focus:
- Platforms offering reskilling programs for workers in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
- Solutions that blend digital and hands-on learning to prepare workers for new roles within their industries.
- Initiatives that support lifelong learning and continuous professional development. - Inclusive skills development:
Economic transitions often disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, including those with lower levels of formal education, the unemployed, and individuals from disadvantaged communities. There is a need for inclusive solutions that provide accessible and affordable learning to these groups.
Investment Focus:
- Ventures offering accessible digital learning solutions for adults who are furthest from opportunity.
- Tools that use AI and adaptive learning to personalise training for individuals with varying skill levels, or those furthest away from learning provision.
- Initiatives that foster collaboration between education providers, employers, and community organisations to support inclusive learning pathways. - Future of work and lifelong learning
The future of work is characterised by rapid change, requiring workers to adapt and learn new skills throughout their working lives. Lifelong learning is essential to ensure that individuals remain employable and can navigate the evolving job market.
Investment Focus:
- Platforms that facilitate lifelong learning and continuous professional development.
- Solutions that offer flexible, on-demand learning opportunities tailored to individual career paths.
- Tools that integrate skills assessment and personalised learning recommendations to help workers stay competitive in the job market.
