Happy Friday readers!

Earlier this week Back Market announced they have raised €276m, and now aim to transform the consumer electronics industry for good. 

CEO and co-founder, Thibaud Hug de Larauze has ambitions to scale the circular economy - fast. 

The circular economy is a sustainable alternative to the take-make-use-dispose economic model we’ve become all too accustomed to. For a long time there have been humorous comparisons between how many times users had to get their iPhone fixed, compared to an old nokia. 

However, over the years we have seen a rise in demand for refurbished items and second-hand market places. Growing awareness around climate issues has played a big part in this demand. For example, a report from the U.S PIRG, as reported in Bloomberg, estimated that if Americans held on to their current smartphone for an extra year before upgrading, it would be the emissions equivalent of taking 636,000 cars off the road. 

In March 2020 the European Commission adopted a new circular economy action plan (CEAP). The proposals see Europe on its way to making the ‘right to repair’ a reality. This is a really exciting prospect and I’m particularly eager to see the innovative ways tech for good can be used in the circular economy. 

I’ve collected some of the most interesting stories from the world of tech for good, the right to repair and the circular economy, for your perusal. If you know of any projects or want to share your thoughts, do get in touch!

Have a great weekend, 

Liv (Tech for Good Global Team)

#The Circular Economy: Repair, Borrow, Reuse

📚 How do you get funding when you are defined by purpose and not profit? This piece by Emma Shaw talks about the journey Library of Things went through.

📱 This Sifted piece on the Back Market raise provides great insights into the company as a pioneer of marketing refurbished goods to more consumers. 

💸 Read Back Market’s own take on how raising €276m will change them.

🌀 8 in 10 Europeans think manufactures should be required to make repairs and replacement of parts easier. Find out how the Circular Economy Blueprint paves the way for a Right to Repair in Europe. 

🤳 Honest Mobile and Fairphone, both B Corps, have partnered together to create a greener phone and make a step towards a fairer electronics industry.

👀 This is a short and very useful introduction into the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the circular economy. Check out the list of other initiatives bringing us one step closer to a circular economy, including IKEA’s scheme to re-sell furniture after use.  

☕️ Repair cafés are popping up across the globe as communities come together and create a repair culture. 

🗑 Innovative technology has the potential to design waste out of value chains whilst creating positive economic, environmental and social impact. Find out how here. 

🌱 Closed Loop Partners are an investment firm with a focus on innovation building the circular economy. Check them out here.

🧥 The pandemic, increased digitalisation and an awareness of the concerns around fast fashion have created a growing demand for clothes swapping and renting among younger generations. Influential celebrities such as  Deborah Frances-White are getting involved.

News in tech for good:
 

💻 The Internet Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have joined forces to strengthen global digital capacity building and sustainable development. 
 

🤖 Ayanna Howard has sought to use robots and AI to help people throughout her career. In this Q&A she discusses why designing distrust into AI systems will make them safer.
 

⚖️ There are demands for CBS to apologise to, and cite the contributions of  prominent Black women AI researchers Joy Buolamwini, Dr. Timnit Gebru, and Inioluwa Deborah Raji as well as Tawana Petty, who made their recent episode of racial bias in facial recognition for their news program "60 Minutes" possible. Find out more and sign the petition here.

🌳 This piece from Sifted is a useful guide to the leading companies in the world of vertical farming, and the VCs who back them. 

🎙 The story of Fortnite vs Apple extends further than the gaming world, and could have an impact on the future of the economy. Listen to the podcast from the Guardian. 

👭 Globally, women have less access to technology, mobile phones, and internet connectivity. Sonia Jorge, Mariana Lopez and Lisa Staxäng share key insights into closing the gender data gap in digital inclusion. 

🔮 This essay from the Boston Review’s new book, frames the future of AI as something we can actively develop to bolster democratic freedoms, rather than something that is happening to us. 

☂️ Assistive technology is an umbrella term for the products and services that help improve a person’s functioning and independence. The market opportunities are huge, but where’s the funding? 

🫂 Google’s Project Starline: A breakthrough in how we can communicate over the internet or a real-life example living through an episode of Black Mirror?

The tech for good newsboard 📍

• Good Finance is a collaborative project to help improve access to information on social investment for charities and social enterprise. Check them out here. 

• Crane is a free tool to help you assess the emissions reduction potential of climate technologies. Find out more here. 

• Rolling invitation for anyone interested in joining our Slack community. Connect with more than 220+ peers passionate about tech for good. 

#Opportunities & Funding:

If you have a funding challenge, grant opening, speaking gig or another opportunity that you want to share - let us know!

• Black-led charities and social enterprises working in communities across the UK can apply for a COVID-19 relief grant package of £5,000 or £12,500 with The Common Call Fund. Closing date 25th June.

• Sustainable Pioneers have partnered with The Ebico Trust to launch The Ebico Affordable Warmth Incubator Programme. They are looking for entrepreneurs working to address the challenges of providing affordable, low-carbon warmth to the UK’s most vulnerable households. Apply by 1st June 2021. 

• Enter The Pitch 2021 for the opportunity to tell the public and investors about your business and develop your pitch through online and in-person events, mentoring from industry-leading entrepreneurs and meeting other inspiring startups.

• Tech Nation has a range of growth programmes for giving companies the support, advice and connections needed to help them thrive. There are opportunities for early-stage founders, to CEO’s of bigger companies, so do explore which programme is right for you.

• The Social Venture Incubator from the University of Cambridge has expert business advice, training and networking for social ventures with a strong social mission at the core of their businesses. Find out more and Apply by 21st June. 

What’s going on? 📅

<Catch up>

• On 14th April REVOLVE Circular held an online press conference highlighting the opportunities and challenges of a circular economy, and why more efforts are needed to educate citizens, business leaders and policy-makers on circularity. Catch up here

• Join one of many virtual Q&As BGV are running and learn more about their investment thesis and approach. Sign up here. 

• The Catalyst Network Meetup is an informat and collaborative space, bringing together digital, design, and data agencies, funders and any other organisations interested in helping charities grow their digital skills. Join on 26th May.

• Join the largest positive impact gathering in the world on 27th - 29th May and get tickets to the Change Now online summit. 

• What is a design sprint? Learn how they can help you get from an idea to impact in this Introduction to Design Sprints for Social Impact Organisations on 9th July 2021.

• The Investor Showcase is back. The Tech for Net Zero Edition, is being hosted by Global Tech Advocates and Tech London Advocates on 30th June.

Working in tech for good 💼

We’ve trimmed the job section to new arrivals and featured ads only. For the full list head to our website.

• Organise is a fast-growing startup on a mission to give everyone the tools, network and confidence to improve their life at work. They’re currently looking for a Product Designer, a Campaign Success Lead, a Lead Engineer, x2 Full Stack Software Engineer and one Ruby Software Engineer. Find out more about all the roles here.

• Amnesty International are looking for a manager to be the Head of the Algorithmic Accountability Lab. Apply by 9th June.

• Wikimedia are looking for a Senior Advocacy Audience Manager and an Engineering Manager.

• Code for Australia are searching for x2 frontend developers to work with aNew South Wales government department as part of a fellowship program in June. Apply as soon as possible.

• Alana are looking for a Software Engineer to join their Edinburgh technical team. Apply by 31st May.

• Grit Digital Health are hiring a Technical Project Manager. Apply by 1st June 2021.

• The Fertility Circle are looking for a Product Manager. Deadline is 26th June. Find out more here.

• Barnardo’s are looking for a ‘mid-weight’ user researcher to join their team. Apply by 3rd June 2021.

• LettUs Grow are hiring a Head of Commercial to manage the commercial team and take responsibility for leading their commercial strategy. Rolling application so apply sooner rather than later!

• GoodGym are looking for an experienced or mid-level React developer to help take their platform to the next level. Apply by 31st May.

• Nation.Better are looking for a Sales Executive to join their growing team. Find out more here.

• Iterative want a Senior Frontend Developer to join their team. Apply by 4th July.

If you have an opening or know of a job opportunity to do with tech for good, please head to our website and we can look into adding it to the jobs board.

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