Social equity and education

Impact Case Study

Building fairer workforces

MeVitae is a pioneering deep-tech spinout at the forefront of transforming workplace fairness with a visionary approach to eliminating cognitive and unconscious bias in human resources.

Founded in 2015 by Oxford alumni Riham Satti and Vivek Doraiswamy, MeVitae develops innovative technologies that seamlessly integrate with existing HR systems, empowering companies to make smarter, faster and fairer decisions. MeVitae’s tools – including blind recruiting – leverage AI workforce data analysis to diagnose, address and overcome HR and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) challenges that many organisations face today.

In just a few years, the company has witnessed enormous growth, with more than 15,000 users now benefiting from the automated anonymisation of more than 20 protected characteristics from any CV or cover letter, and over 90% accuracy. Clients report up to a 50% increase in gender and ethnic diversity. Additionally, they have seen improvements in metrics such as religion (9%), first-generation university students (9%), and those who received free school meals (5%).

The US-based Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) has successfully broadened its applicant pool for internships, drawing from a wider array of ethnic backgrounds and colleges since implementing MeVitae’s technology. David Robison, EESI’s Director of Finance and Administration, says: “Blind recruiting helps us home in on the key components of the applications we receive: the candidates’ achievements, how their knowledge, experience and skillsets can be applied to our positions, and their level of interest and passion for the issues they will be working on. By partnering with MeVitae over the past year, we have been able to evaluate over 2,000 candidates while ensuring a fair review process.”

Impact Case Study

Helping people out of homelessness for good

Greater Change began in 2018 with the intention of helping people break the cycle of homelessness. Six years on, and the social enterprise has supported over 1,000 individuals, with 86% remaining in stable housing after six months to a year.

For every £1,319 Greater Change spends, the government saves £35,177 – a return of over 20 times. Of its ex-offender cohort, fewer than 8% have re-offended and 49% are now in gainful employment. Founded by Oxford students Alex McCallion and Jonathan Tan with incubation support from OUI, Greater Change raises personalised, targeted funding for its clients to help them move out of homelessness. One such client is Leigh. Struggling with his mental health, Leigh was unable to work, which led to rent arrears and eviction. After referral from a partner charity, Greater Change supported Leigh by funding his rent deposit and furnishings for a flat, allowing Leigh and his dog Coraline to settle into a new home and have his children to stay.