On Purpose
On Purpose is a UK-founded social enterprise running a year-long Associate Programme that places mid-career professionals into paid work placements at purpose-driven organizations across London, Paris, and Berlin.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLeeds, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What On Purpose does
On Purpose is a UK-founded social enterprise that runs a year-long leadership development programme — the Associate Programme — designed to transition mid-career professionals (typically with 3-7 years of prior work experience) into the social impact sector through paid work placements at purpose-driven organizations. Founded in London in 2009 by Tom Rippin and headquartered at Impact Hub Euston, the organization operates two cohorts per year (launching in April and October) and extends the same model to Paris (since 2013) and Berlin (since 2016, with new cohorts paused in 2026). Over twelve years, On Purpose reports that nearly 800 people have completed the programme and now work as Fellows across the impact sector.
The core offering combines two 4.5-day-per-week paid work placements at host organizations, weekly Friday afternoon training delivered by external expert trainers, six pro-bono 1:1 coaching sessions per Associate per year, and bi-weekly mentoring. Associates are employed as full-time staff by their placement host and receive a £27,010 living allowance centrally set by On Purpose to avoid wage competition between hosts. Supporting products include the free Career Change Hub (a content resource for prospective career-changers), Placement Host Services for organizations seeking talent, and an alumni community network that engages Fellows through Slack, events, and ongoing job-sharing.
On Purpose is structured as a Company Limited by Guarantee (On Purpose Careers Ltd, registered in England) with no shareholders, reinvesting surplus into the mission. Revenue is generated entirely from programme-related transactions: placement hosts pay an introduction fee of £8,000-£19,000 before cohort start (tiered by host size and legal structure), and On Purpose earns a finder's fee of £9,000-£16,500 when a host subsequently hires an Associate permanently. A wholly owned subsidiary, On Purpose Berlin Careers GmbH, operates the German programme, and On Purpose France operates as an Association under the UK parent's control. The organization is a founding UK B Corp, a Social Enterprise UK member, a People + Planet First verified social enterprise, and a London Living Wage employer, with no disclosed funding rounds and an estimated headcount of 11-50 staff.
On Purpose firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- On Purpose
- Legal name
- On Purpose Careers Ltd
- Website
- https://onpurpose.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- On Purpose is a UK-founded social enterprise running a year-long Associate Programme that places mid-career professionals into paid work placements at purpose-driven organizations across London, Paris, and Berlin.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
On Purpose industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Leadership Development & Career Transition Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (6117), Employment Placement Agencies (561311)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internships, Externships & Work-Based Learning Placement (EDAMAKAB), Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO)
Keywords
Where On Purpose is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leeds
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
On Purpose business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Placement Host Fees: Placement host organizations pay On Purpose a programme participation fee before the start of the cohort. This is the primary revenue stream. Fees vary by the size and legal structure of the host organization.
- Hiring Finder's Fee: When a placement host hires an Associate full-time after completing the programme, On Purpose receives a one-time finder's fee. This creates a land-and-expand revenue dynamic where hosts who convert Associates to employees generate additional revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Associate living allowance for approximately 12-month programme |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Placement host programme participation fee |
| Transaction based/ take rate | One time/ perpetual license | Post-programme hiring fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
On Purpose product offering
Product offeringCore offering
On Purpose runs a year-long Associate Programme that recruits mid-career professionals (typically with 3–7 years of experience) and places them in two paid 12-month work placements at purpose-driven organizations. Associates receive a £27,010 living allowance, weekly Friday training sessions, six 1:1 coaching sessions per year, bi-weekly mentoring, and access to a community of Fellows. Placement host organizations pay a programme participation fee (£8,000–£19,000) and may pay a finder's fee (£9,000–£16,500) if they hire an Associate after the programme.
Product overview
On Purpose is a social enterprise offering a single unified programme, the Associate Programme, supported by supplementary services. The core offering is a year-long leadership development programme for mid-career professionals seeking to transition into the impact sector. This comprises two paid work placements at purpose-driven organizations, weekly Friday afternoon Learning & Development training sessions, pro-bono 1:1 coaching (approximately 6 sessions/year), pro-bono mentoring (bi-weekly meetings), and access to the On Purpose Community/Fellows network. Supporting services include a free Career Change Hub with advice content and Placement Host Services for organizations seeking talent. The organization operates across three cities: London (founded 2009), Paris (since 2013), and Berlin (since 2016).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Associate Programme A year-long leadership development programme for mid-career professionals (3–7+ years of experience) offering two paid work placements at purpose-driven organizations, weekly Friday afternoon training sessions, regular 1:1 coaching and mentoring, and access to an alumni community of Fellows. Associates receive a £27,010 living allowance and work 4.5 days per week at placements.
- Career Change Hub A free resource hub providing advice, guidance, and practical tips for individuals considering career transitions into the impact and purpose-driven sector, including blog posts, testimonials, and interview-preparation guidance.
- On Purpose Community Network An international alumni network of nearly 800 Fellows providing ongoing networking, job postings via Slack channel, events, and career support for current and former Associates, placement host organizations, coaches, mentors, and trainers.
- Placement Host Services Talent-matching service for organizations seeking to host Associates. Placement hosts pay a programme introduction fee of £8,000–£19,000 and an optional finder's fee of £9,000–£16,500 if they hire an Associate permanently after the programme.
Quantifiable outcome
- 92% of Fellows work in the impact space after completing the programme
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use On Purpose
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
On Purpose technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
On Purpose partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Better Society CapitalcoreBetter Society Capital is an independent financial institution set up to help grow social investment in the UK. Associates work within the investment team, analysing and assessing investment opportunities in charities and social enterprises. On Purpose charges placement host fees (£8K-£19K), and if a host hires an Associate permanently, a finder’s fee applies.
- HubbubcoreHubbub is an environmental charity with a mission to help people live greener, healthier lives. Hubbub Enterprise (trading arm) provides products and services to businesses and local government on sustainability. Associates have worked on campaigns including commercial waste research, behaviour change initiatives, plastic reduction, and community engagement. Multiple alumni have been hired by Hubbub after the programme.
- King's College LondoncoreAssociates work on the widening participation team, designing projects to encourage students from underrepresented backgrounds (including BME students, asylum seekers, and care leavers) to consider higher education. Projects involve both commercial and social elements.
- SnowballcoreSnowball is an impact investing startup offering easy, low-risk positive investment with a fully diversified strategy across public and private markets. Associates work as part of the investment team, gaining direct experience in impact investing.
- Social and Sustainable CapitalcoreSocial and Sustainable Capital (SASC) is a specialist fund manager providing finance to social sector organisations. Associates work as part of the investment team, analysing and assessing investment opportunities in charities and social enterprises and preparing reports for the Investment Committee.
- CollaboratecoreCollaborate CIC is a non-profit consultancy helping public services collaborate to tackle complex social challenges. Associates work on client projects, organisational development, new business development, and reports. The organisation is chaired by Lord Victor Adebowale.
- Challenge PartnerscoreChallenge Partners is a practitioner-led education charity enabling collaboration between schools to enhance life chances of children. Associates develop and launch new leadership programmes, analyse school performance data, and support online platform engagement for member schools.
- NestacoreNesta is an innovation foundation that backs new ideas to tackle big societal challenges. Associates work on global summit development, partnership and funding opportunities, and content for challenges.org platform, covering topics including AI and future of work, access to surgery, sustainable food production, and urban drones.
- NatWest Enterprise & Community Finance TeamcoreNatWest's specialist Enterprise and Community Finance team provides financial and business support to social enterprises through NatWest Social & Community Capital. Associates work within the team, contributing to community finance and social enterprise support initiatives.
- AltruistiqcoreAltruistiq is a sustainability software platform helping organisations measure, manage, and share their environmental impact. Associates work on the platform, serving large enterprises across industries including private equity, logistics, food service, energy, telecom, and software.
- Teaching LeaderscoreTeaching Leaders is an innovative non-profit growing a movement of outstanding school leaders. Associates work closely with the CEO identifying funding opportunities ranging from corporate partnerships to revenue generation activities.
- Comic ReliefcoreComic Relief works for a just world free from poverty by effecting positive change through entertainment. Associates have developed and managed commercial initiatives and explored new opportunities within the Innovation Team across multiple cohorts.
- Blueprint for Better BusinesscoreBlueprint for Better Business helps businesses rediscover their purpose and serve society. Associates engage senior corporate leadership, cultivate practitioner communities, and deepen academic engagement around purpose-driven business frameworks.
- Impact Hub Euston (London)coreOn Purpose's London headquarters is based at Impact Hub Euston, a co-working space for purpose-driven organisations. This co-location provides community and network access.
- Lut'ESS (Paris)coreOn Purpose's Paris office is based at Lut'ESS, a social enterprise hub and thriving community of social enterprises. This co-location provides community and network access.
- Impact Hub BerlincoreOn Purpose Berlin is co-located at Impact Hub Berlin, working alongside social startups and established social enterprises in Kreuzberg. The co-location provides community and ecosystem access.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights4 records
On Purpose competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Year Here: UK-based social enterprise fellowship that places early-career professionals in paid placements with impact organisations and runs intensive training. Closest direct peer to On Purpose's Associate Programme in mission, structure, and geography.
- School for Social Entrepreneurs: UK charity providing training, mentoring, and peer support programmes for social entrepreneurs and mission-driven leaders. Comparable in its target audience (impact-sector talent) and delivery model (training + community), though focused on founders rather than career-changers.
- Echoing Green: Global fellowship identifying and supporting emerging social entrepreneurs with seed funding, coaching, and a leadership network. The most internationally established analogue to On Purpose's fellowship-plus-community model for the impact sector.
- The Mission Continues: US-based nonprofit placing post-9/11 veterans in paid fellowships at nonprofits while providing leadership training and a community network. Direct functional analogue in the paid-placement-plus-leadership-development model.
Broad incumbents
- Common Purpose: Long-established global leadership development charity running programmes for cross-sector leaders. Overlaps with On Purpose in leadership training for purpose-driven professionals, but serves a broader, more senior audience and operates at much larger scale.
- Ashoka: Global organisation supporting leading social entrepreneurs via fellowships, convenings, and ecosystem building. Comparable in its focus on developing impact-sector leaders, though it targets system-changing founders rather than career-transitioning professionals.
Emerging players
- Pioneers Post: UK/EU media and jobs platform covering the social enterprise and impact sector. Adjacent as a career-discovery channel for On Purpose's target applicants and as a host-recruitment surface for impact organisations.
- 80,000 Hours: Provides career guidance for people moving into high-impact roles, including advice, job-board, and community. Comparable in serving mid-career professionals transitioning into purpose-driven work, though it is content-led rather than placement-led.
Others
- Impact Hub: Global coworking and incubator network for social enterprises; On Purpose is physically co-located with Impact Hub in London, Paris, and Berlin. Ecosystem adjacency rather than direct competition — Impact Hub supports venture-stage social enterprises while On Purpose develops talent.
- Social Enterprise UK: UK trade body for social enterprises, of which On Purpose is a certified member. Comparable as a sector infrastructure player rather than a programme competitor, but with overlapping member/host base and shared policy positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
On Purpose social profiles
Digital presenceOn Purpose compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
On Purpose financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
On Purpose leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
On Purpose subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
On Purpose funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
On Purpose M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about On Purpose
What does On Purpose do?
On Purpose runs a year-long Associate Programme that recruits mid-career professionals (typically with 3–7 years of experience) and places them in two paid 12-month work placements at purpose-driven organizations. Associates receive a £27,010 living allowance, weekly Friday training sessions, six 1:1 coaching sessions per year, bi-weekly mentoring, and access to a community of Fellows. Placement host organizations pay a programme participation fee (£8,000–£19,000) and may pay a finder's fee (£9,000–£16,500) if they hire an Associate after the programme.
Is On Purpose a public or private company?
On Purpose is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was On Purpose founded?
On Purpose was founded in 2009. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is On Purpose based?
On Purpose is headquartered in Leeds, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does On Purpose make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Placement Host Fees are the primary driver. The others are hiring Finder's Fee.
Who are On Purpose's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Year Here, School for Social Entrepreneurs, Echoing Green and The Mission Continues. Broad incumbents are Common Purpose and Ashoka. Emerging players are Pioneers Post and 80,000 Hours. Others are Impact Hub and Social Enterprise UK.
Does On Purpose have an API?
No public API is recorded for On Purpose.
What industry is On Purpose in?
On Purpose's product category is Leadership Development & Career Transition Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPACANAK, Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMAKAB, Internships, Externships & Work-Based Learning Placement. Its NAICS code is 6117 and its SIC code is 8200.