Melanin Medics

What Melanin Medics does

Melanin Medics is a UK-registered charity (Charity Number 1188982) founded in 2017 by Dr Olamide Oguntimehin to address the underrepresentation of Black African and Caribbean individuals in UK medicine across the full career pipeline. The organisation operates a five-stage programme portfolio — Envision Med (Year 12 applicants), Envision Research Summer School (16-17 year olds, NIHR-funded at the University of Cambridge), MedSteps (second-year medical students), The Enrichment Programme (final-year students), and SurgIn: The Lewin Programme (aspiring surgeons) — complemented by MM Learn (online learning platform), a Research Network, and content channels (blog, podcast, social media) that have produced 4 peer-reviewed publications and 26 national/international presentations.

The organisation serves three beneficiary segments (aspiring doctors, medical students, and practising doctors of Black African and Caribbean heritage) plus an organisation-facing services line delivering outreach, EDI workshops, and consultancy to NHS trusts, medical schools, and healthcare employers. Distribution is anchored by the African-Caribbean Medical Society (ACMS) network across UK medical schools, and the charity is supported by endorsements from the GMC, BMA, Royal College of Surgeons, MDDUS, and Healthcare Leadership Academy, alongside a core funding partnership with NIHR and a policy-influencing collaboration with the NHS Race & Health Observatory.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations (via the Charities Aid Foundation portal), charitable grants, and partner funding — all programmes are free for participants. Operations are largely volunteer-led by medical students, doctors, and non-medical volunteers, with a documented leadership structure across Engagement, Research, Programmes, and Communications. The organisation is UK-domiciled, operating nationally with no disclosed international expansion, and reports no commercial revenue figures.

Name

Melanin Medics

Legal name

Melanin Medics

Website

https://melaninmedics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Education and Diversity Charity

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Health Science & Medical STEM Programs (Pre-Med, Public Health) (EDAMABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA) (EDANAIAA), Healthcare & Clinical Professional Development (CME/CE) (EDAGANAJ)

Keywords

• Medical education outreach
• Healthcare diversity programmes
• Medical mentorship services
• Career development programmes
• Charitable education support

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Funding: Melanin Medics operates as a registered UK charity (Number: 1188982) and accepts donations through the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) donation portal. The organisation receives funding from partners and grant-making bodies such as the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) for specific programmes.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Melanin Medics is a UK national charity that delivers a pipeline of educational programmes, mentoring, and career development support to Black African and Caribbean aspiring medics, medical students, and qualified doctors. Its core offerings include the Envision Med Programme, Envision Research Summer School, Med Steps Programme, Enrichment Programme, SurgIn surgical programme, the Research Network, MM Learn online learning platform, and supporting services such as outreach, EDI workshops, and consultancy for healthcare organisations.

Product overview

Melanin Medics is a national UK charity offering a portfolio of interconnected educational programmes, career development services, and content platforms designed to promote racial diversity in medicine. The core programmes include the Envision Med Programme (for aspiring medical students in Year 12), Envision Research Summer School (for 16-17 year olds), Med Steps Programme (for second-year medical students), The Enrichment Programme (for final year medical students), and SurgIn: The Lewin Programme (for aspiring and current surgeons). Supporting services include MM Learn (online learning platform), the Research Network, Outreach & Engagement Services, EDI Workshops, Consultancy Services, Podcasts, Blog, and Events Programme. The organization uses these interconnected offerings to support Black African and Caribbean individuals from pre-medical school entry through to practising as doctors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MM Learn: Online learning platform for medical education resources
• MM Learn

Products and services

• Envision Med Programme A year-long programme for Year 12 students of Black African and Caribbean heritage providing intensive support with medical school applications, including 1-1 mentoring with medical students, insight workshops, academic masterclasses, group research projects, and BMAT/UCAT/interview preparation support.
• Envision Research Summer School A 4-day hybrid summer programme for Black young people aged 16-17 aimed at building skills and confidence to pursue careers in clinical or academic medicine, funded by the NIHR. Includes research masterclasses, group research projects, expert talks, mentoring support, and a day at the University of Cambridge (St Catharine's College).
• Med Steps Programme A four-month hybrid development programme designed for second-year medical students of Black African and Caribbean heritage in the UK to support personal and professional development during the early years of medical training.
• The Enrichment Programme A development programme designed for final-year medical students of Black African and Caribbean heritage, including students of mixed race heritage studying Medicine in the UK, focused on transition to practice and career readiness.
• SurgIn: The Lewin Programme A career development programme designed to support aspiring and current surgeons in training of Black African and Caribbean or mixed race heritage practising in the UK, addressing underrepresentation in surgical specialties.
• MM Learn An online learning platform providing educational resources for aspiring doctors, medical students, and doctors, including guides such as the Medical School Interview Preparation Guide and the Building Your Portfolio resource.
• Research Network A network aimed at improving research engagement and attainment amongst medical students and doctors of African and Caribbean heritage, offering research mentorship, workshops, and information on research opportunities, prizes, and grants. The Research Network has produced 4 peer-reviewed publications, 26 national/international presentations, and 11 academic prizes and awards.
• Outreach and Engagement Services for Organisations Services delivered to organisations including school outreach activities, workshops, and consultancy designed to promote racial diversity in medicine and support healthcare employers, NHS trusts, and medical schools.
• EDI Workshops for Organisations Equality, Diversity and Inclusion workshops delivered to organisations to educate current and future healthcare professionals about caring for and advocating for patients from diverse backgrounds.
• Consultancy Services for Organisations Professional consultancy services for organisations seeking to improve racial diversity and inclusion in healthcare settings.
• Events Programme An annual events programme of professional development sessions, workshops, webinars, networking events, and conferences including the annual 'Building the Pipeline' Research Conference which attracted nearly 300 attendees and 287+ registrations in 2026. Over 50 events have been delivered in total.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported thousands of young people through outreach
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• British Medical Association (BMA)minorOthersBMA is listed as a trusted partner of Melanin Medics, shown in the 'Trusted By' section of the website alongside other healthcare organisations.
• Healthcare Leadership Academy (HLA)minorOthersListed as a trusted partner. Founder Dr Olamide Oguntimehin is an alumna of the Healthcare Leadership Academy.
• Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS)minorOthersListed as a trusted partner of Melanin Medics in the healthcare sector.
• General Medical Council (GMC)minorOthersListed as a trusted partner. Founder Dr Olamide Oguntimehin is a member of the GMC Equality and Diversity Advisory Board for differential attainment.
• Royal College of Surgeons of EnglandminorOthersListed as a trusted partner of Melanin Medics.
• NHS Race & Health ObservatorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMelanin Medics Founder Dr Olamide Oguntimehin authored a report with the NHS Race & Health Observatory on 'Pulse Oximetry and Racial bias' which subsequently led to a government review of medical devices and potential bias. This represents a significant policy-impacting collaboration.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the Envision Research Summer School, with the final in-person event held at St Catharine's College, University of Cambridge. Provides campus tours and university life experience for aspiring medical students.
• African-Caribbean Medical Societies (ACMS) at UK Medical SchoolscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMelanin Medics works with ACMS committees across UK medical schools as the primary bridge to reach Black medical students nationwide. This includes joint events, sponsorship packages, and support frameworks for ACMS committee leaders.
• BMA EDI Advisory GroupminorOthersFounder Dr Olamide Oguntimehin is a member of the BMA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• The King's Fund: Independent charitable health-policy foundation working on NHS leadership, workforce diversity, and health inequalities. Comparable as a UK health-systems influencer and policy actor, with overlapping interests in workforce representation.
• General Medical Council (GMC): UK medical regulator on whose Equality and Diversity Advisory Board the Melanin Medics founder sits. Functions as a partner and convening body for differential-attainment and race-equity initiatives, rather than a direct competitor.
• NHS Race & Health Observatory: NHS-hosted independent body investigating race inequalities in health and workforce. A direct strategic partner of Melanin Medics (joint report on Pulse Oximetry and racial bias) and a key funder/collaborator, rather than a competitor.

Broad incumbents

• The Sutton Trust: UK foundation focused on social mobility and widening participation in higher education, including medicine and other competitive professions. A broader incumbent than Melanin Medics — not race-specific and covering all Russell Group pathways, but operating in the same widening-access space.
• Royal College of Surgeons of England: UK professional body for surgeons that is a listed trusted partner of Melanin Medics and supports surgical training. SurgIn: The Lewin Programme is delivered in collaboration with this body, making it an overlapping surgical-education peer.
• The Brilliant Club: UK charity placing doctoral and postgraduate tutors in state schools to widen access to highly selective universities, including medicine. Comparable on the pre-HE widening-participation mission that underpins Melanin Medics' Envision Med programme.

Direct peers

• Generation Medics: UK social enterprise widening access to medical careers through mentoring, work experience, and application support for underrepresented applicants. Directly comparable on the 'Get In' pre-med pillar of Melanin Medics' pipeline.
• British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO): UK-based voluntary association supporting ethnic-minority physicians and medical trainees, addressing differential attainment and workforce equity. Directly comparable to Melanin Medics as a race-focused physician/médical-student organisation in the UK, though BAPIO serves the Indian-origin community and is a membership body rather than a pre-med pipeline charity.
• In2MedSchool: UK charity providing mentoring and application support to state-school and underrepresented students applying to medical school. Closely mirrors Melanin Medics' widening-access (Year 12) mission and 1-1 mentoring delivery model, though In2MedSchool is not race-specific.
• Destination Medicine: Outreach and mentoring programme supporting aspiring medical students from underrepresented backgrounds into UK medical schools. Directly comparable to Melanin Medics' Envision Med cohort on year-12 widening-access programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/melaninmedics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Melanin Medics