FAQs

1. Can I discuss my idea with you before I apply?

   We receive a very high volume of applications and we want to give each one an fair chance of being selected for investment and support. As a result, we cannot accept phone calls or requests to discuss your idea before you have submitted an application. Once you have submitted an application in, and we have reviewed it, we will invite you to an initial meeting. For guidance on applying, please see our criteria, application guidelines and process.

2. What do you mean by 'practical learning'?

   We support projects that do not have traditional academic learning routes as their focus. Along with our funder, Edge, we believe that practical learning can often inspire, challenge and inform young people better than existing academic learning opportunities. We are interested in projects that give young people the opportunity to learn essential vocational and 'soft' or non-cognitive skills through real-world experience.

3. I work with people outside the 14-25 year old age bracket, can I still apply?

   We work with this age group as we see a successful transition from childhood to adulthood as key to young people's life prospects. We only support ventures that have young people in the 14-25 year old age bracket as their primary beneficiaries. It may be that people in other age groups also benefit from the project – that's not a problem.

4. What do you mean by 'start-up' organisations?

   We only work with individuals or teams who have recently formed, or are planning to form, a new and stand-alone organisation (be that a charity or a business). We don't support programmes of work that are delivered by established charities or businesses unless they plan it to 'spin-out' as a separate organisation.
   
   Our advice and support has been created specifically for start-up organisations that are prepared to work with us to change their business model quite significantly. We have previously worked with organisations that have been operating for a few years but we do not work with organisations that are more than 5 years old.

5. What can the money be spent on?

   Our funding is unrestricted - you can spend it on anything. When we decide to make the investment, we will agree with you what our goals and milestones should be. We will not use this agreement to control your development.

6. Do I have to provide you with a budget?

   At the initial stages, no, but we would be interested to hear what you think your financial needs are.

7. If my project is approved funding, does the Learning Launchpad then own it?

   No. Our goal is to help your idea realise its ambitions and have the impact you want to see.

8. Do I have to be a charity? Or social enterprise?

   We have a mixture of charities, social enterprises and for-profit businesses in our portfolio at the moment. We don't mind what kind of organisation structure you go for, as long as we believe that your idea meets our criteria. What is most important is that you are a start-up venture or a spin-off from an existing organisation. If you haven't decided yet we can help you think this through.

9. Do you fund projects outside the UK?

   No. We fund projects in England, Wales and Scotland.

10. Can you reconsider my project the next time?

    If we have decided not to work with you this time, we encourage you to apply to us in the future. For information on our process, please see the application guidelines. We evaluate applications on the potential social impact that they'll have on young people, their innovativeness, scalability, sustainability and the passion and commitment of you and your team.
    
    Sometimes you can have all these things in place, but we will come to the conclusion that we wouldn't be able to add value to your project. This doesn't mean we don't think it will be successful and we know that this means sometimes we let brilliant ideas slip away.

11. How are you funded?

    Currently, our investments are funded by Edge, an independent education foundation with a 10-year campaign to promote practical learning. Edge engages with students, employers, teachers, government and the media, in order to change the way practical and vocational learning is viewed and carried out. Edge supports organisations and new initiatives that will deliver real changes and works with opinion formers, educationalists and policy makers to identify the key barriers and opportunities for change.

12. I really need help now. Can you get back to me before the deadline?

    We're afraid not. We will get back to you within 2 weeks of the deadline. For information on our deadlines please see here.