TechUpWomen

What TechUpWomen does

TechUpWomen (TechUP) is a non-profit educational initiative operated out of Durham University's Department of Computer Science, founded in 2018 to address the UK's digital skills gap and gender imbalance in technology. The programme retrains women and non-binary people from underserved groups — including ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with caring responsibilities — into entry-level tech roles through a blended-learning model that combines online course delivery via Thinkific with in-person residential events at partner universities. Core offerings include the flagship 12-week Click Start by TechUPWomen programme (BCS-accredited), TechUPOnline self-paced courses, Skills Bootcamps in Data and Software Development, and the recent Introduction to AI Using Copilot for Charities.

The initiative is funded by a mix of public and institutional sources, including the Office for Students via the Institute of Coding (a consortium of 30+ universities), Santander Universities, and Nominet. Programmes are delivered free of charge to participants, with bursaries available for travel, equipment, and clothing. Revenue mechanics are grant-based rather than transactional: industry partners (Atom Bank, BJSS, MSP, Peratech, Waterstons, BCS, WeAreTechWomen, Northern Power Women) contribute mentors, curriculum input, guest speakers, and recruitment pipelines, while a specialist delivery partner, Catch22, provides pastoral support and job placement assistance.

The team is small (approximately 14 staff including Director Sue Black, Assistant Director Alexandra Cristea, Programme Manager Johanna Waite, and supporting tutors and data analysts) and geographically anchored in the North of England, though Click Start has scaled nationwide via Nominet funding to target 25,000+ learners. TechUP measures outcomes rigorously, reporting a 64% completion rate and 50% job-or-promotion rate from its 2019/20 pilot cohort of 100 women.

Name

TechUpWomen

Legal name

Durham University

Website

https://techup.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

TechUpWomen is a Durham University non-profit initiative that retrains women from underserved groups into entry-level UK tech careers via free blended-learning programmes, including the BCS-accredited Click Start course and TechUPOnline digital-skills courses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development / Digital Skills Training

NAICS

Computer Training (611420), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Skills & Tech Upskilling (Noncredit) (EDAAAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Bootcamps & Accelerated Reskilling (Full-time/Part-time) (BPAEANAE), Digital Inclusion & Public Tech Access Training (Device/Internet/Basic IT) (EDAAAFAE), Text-Based Programming (Python, Java, C/C++) (EDAMACAB)

Keywords

• Tech skills training
• Digital skills education
• Women in technology
• Blended learning programmes
• Career retraining

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Government and Institutional Funding: TechUP is a non-profit initiative funded primarily by the Office for Students through the Institute of Coding (IoC), a consortium of over 30 universities. Additional funding comes from Nominet (for Click Start programme) and Santander Universities. The programme is free for all participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

TechUP runs blended-learning programmes that train individuals from underserved groups into entry-level tech roles, combining technical training with one-to-one mentoring, empowerment, and confidence building. The flagship Click Start by TechUPWomen is a 12-week or 6-week BCS-accredited programme delivered via the Thinkific online platform and in-person residential events at partner universities. All programmes are free for participants, funded primarily by the Office for Students through the Institute of Coding, Santander Universities, and Nominet.

Product overview

TechUpWomen operates as a multi-product education and training platform offering several interconnected programmes. The flagship product is Click Start by TechUPWomen, an accredited 12-week blended learning programme that retrains women from underserved communities into tech careers through IT skills training, career-path tasters, and workplace readiness. Supporting products include TechUPOnline (the learning platform hosting various courses), the free TechUPWomen Taster Course for prospective learners, Skills Bootcamps in Data and Software Development, Your Digital Pathway (free digital skills course), and the original TechUPWomen 2019/20 programme. A Mentoring Scheme is integrated as a core component across programmes, providing one-to-one industry mentorship. The offering functions as a comprehensive pipeline from initial awareness (taster courses) through intensive training (Click Start, Skills Bootcamps) to employment support (mentoring, job placement assistance), all delivered in partnership with industry and academic institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Click Start by TechUPWomen A multi-award winning, trailblazing 12-week or 6-week blended learning programme developed with industry partners that retrains women from underserved groups into tech careers. Includes IT and IT support skills, specialist career-path taster sessions, workplace readiness preparation, one-to-one mentoring, and job support. BCS-accredited.
• TechUPOnline Online learning platform hosted on Thinkific that delivers TechUP's digital skills courses. Reached over 8,400 learners in 2020 through partnership with Santander and Institute of Coding. Hosts free taster courses and digital skills courses accessible to anyone with internet access.
• TechUPWomen Taster Course A free online introductory course allowing anyone to sample the TechUP experience while getting an introduction to Machine Learning. Includes content from Edge Hill University and a confidence-building session. Over 400 learners enrolled.
• Skills Bootcamps Award-winning 14-week online industry-focused Skills Bootcamps in Data and Software Development. Delivered with one-to-one mentoring, flexible learning, and guest speakers for individuals from underserved communities. Government-funded and free to participants.
• Your Digital Pathway A free introductory digital skills course developed with Santander and Institute of Coding. Eight hours of online learning with three pathways: return to education, return to work, or set up a business online. 50,000 places made available to UK residents.
• Introduction to AI Using Copilot for Charities A hands-on course teaching charity workers to use Microsoft Copilot (a generative AI tool available within Microsoft 365) effectively and safely. Provides practical experience with AI tools already available in Microsoft 365 without requiring technical background. Targets charity organisations to stretch limited resources and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
• TechUPWomen 2019/20 Original pilot programme that trained 100 women from underserved groups into tech careers. Multi-award winning programme with residential weekends at partner universities, one-to-one mentoring, and industry partnerships. 64% completion rate and 50% achieved new job or promotion.

Quantifiable outcome

• 64% of TechUPWomen 2019/20 participants completed the programme
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• WaterstonsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Waterstons is a TechUP Programme Partner contributing to teaching events. They delivered a cybersecurity workshop using Lego at the TechUPWomen residential at the University of York, helping participants understand cybersecurity concepts through interactive activities.
• BCS (BCS Women)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is a TechUP Programme Partner through its BCS Women specialist group. BCS representatives spoke at TechUPWomen events about the role of a Business Analyst and supported the programme's career development activities.
• WeAreTechWomenmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024WeAreTechWomen is a TechUP Programme Partner and organiser of the annual One Tech World Conference, the largest virtual tech conference for women in tech. TechUPWomen alumnae attend the conference, and TechUP supports promotion of the event.
• Northern Power WomenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Northern Power Women is listed as a TechUPWomen 2024 Programme Partner, providing networking and promotional support for the programme.
• Cadence InnovaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cadence Innova is listed as a TechUPWomen 2024 Programme Partner, contributing to the programme's delivery and industry engagement.
• MarraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Marra is listed as a TechUPWomen 2024 Programme Partner, contributing to industry engagement and support for the programme.
• Peratech Holdco LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Peratech, a technology company with long-established links to Durham University (many staff are Durham Alumni), partnered with TechUP as a Programme Partner. They provided mentors and guest speakers, and offered internship positions to TechUP candidates. Their CEO also delivered guest speaker sessions during the curriculum.
• Edge Hill UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Edge Hill University was a partner in the TechUPWomen 2019/20 programme, hosting the second residential weekend. Edge Hill University also produced two introductory chapters on Machine Learning for the TechUPWomen Taster Course.
• Institute of Coding (IoC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The Institute of Coding (IoC), led by the University of Bath, is a national consortium of over 30 universities and 200+ employers working to address the UK's digital skills gap. IoC has provided funding for TechUP programmes and helped create new courses and activities. The IoC is a key financial and strategic backer of TechUPWomen.
• Catch22coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Catch22 is a specialist delivery partner for the Click Start by TechUPWomen programme. They provide personalised pastoral support to learners and job support to help participants find and apply for jobs, apprenticeships, and internships at the end of the programme. Catch22 also delivers mentoring and safeguarding training for TechUP mentors.
• Atom BankmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Atom Bank, the UK's first bank built exclusively for mobile, is a TechUP Programme Partner. They contribute to the Industrial Advisory Board, present at teaching weekends, provide interview skills support, and offer participants the opportunity to apply for paid jobs at Atom HQ. They support the programme to help create greater diversity in tech.
• BJSSmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019BJSS, the UK's leading privately-owned business and IT consultancy, partnered with TechUPWomen to provide five mentors to programme participants. BJSS staff attended residential weekends, presented on different tech sectors, and participated in careers fairs and networking events.
• MSPmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019MSP (Management Services Partnership) was one of the original three industry partners for the TechUPWomen 2019/20 programme. MSP attended all four residentials, provided mentors, presented on the life of a developer, and actively recruited from the programme cohort.
• University of YorkmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The University of York was a partner in the TechUPWomen programme, hosting the third residential weekend in November 2019. Professor Helen Petrie served as programme lead at York.
• University of NottinghammajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The University of Nottingham was a partner in the TechUPWomen programme, hosting the celebration/graduation event in January 2020.
• Durham UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018TechUP is an initiative of Durham University's Department of Computer Science. Professor Sue Black serves as TechUP Director and Professor Alexandra Cristea as Assistant Director. The programme is run from Durham University's campus, which serves as the headquarters and primary delivery location for in-person events.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Multiverse: UK-based tech apprenticeship provider with strong employer partnerships and a focus on creating diverse talent pipelines into tech roles, overlapping with TechUP's apprenticeship-preparation and employer-referral model.
• Generation UK: Global nonprofit running free, employer-aligned tech and digital skills programmes for adults from underserved backgrounds, with similar mission, funder model, and employer placement focus.
• Code First Girls: UK-based social enterprise delivering free tech courses and bootcamps specifically for women, with similar employer-partner recruitment model and focus on retraining women into tech roles.
• Northcoders: UK-based coding bootcamp headquartered in Manchester and Leeds covering the same North-of-England geography, offering employer-aligned software developer training and apprenticeships.
• Ada National College for Digital Skills: UK specialist digital college offering Level 3/4 qualifications in tech, with a similar target audience of learners from non-traditional backgrounds entering tech careers.

Broad incumbents

• Makers Academy: UK coding bootcamp offering immersive software developer training, comparable in curriculum (Python, web dev) and target learner profile, but commercially funded rather than grant-funded.
• General Assembly: Global tech training provider offering bootcamps and short courses across software engineering, data, and digital skills; serves a similar learner need at much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Stemettes: UK nonprofit inspiring and supporting girls and young women into STEM careers through events and programmes; overlapping audience and inclusion mission but more outreach/community-led than training-led.

Others

• Institute of Coding: UK-wide consortium of universities and employers (including TechUP funder IoC) addressing the digital skills gap; comparable mission and ecosystem role but acts as funder/convener rather than direct training competitor.
• WeAreTechWomen: UK community and event organiser (One Tech World conference) supporting women in tech; comparable audience and inclusion agenda, acts as community/partner rather than training provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/techupwomen
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCa7O-tyaWNyulEnAu7xjM7w
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/techupwomen
• Instagraminstagram.com/techupwomen_

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 TechUpWomen