Care home staffing marketplace Florence has been chosen for a major UK programme for start-ups.
Florence is one of 30 companies selected by government body Tech Nation's Upscale 5.0 programme, which supports fast-growing tech companies.
Florence allows care homes to post vacant shifts, engage and pay staff in one online space, reducing admin and cutting out agency costs. Florence's algorithm matches the best care staff to shifts and an in-platform rating system encourages staff accountability and high performance.
The marketplace was developed by Dr Charles Armitage, who discovered the need for a better way to fill healthcare shifts while working as a locum in the NHS. Dr Armitage started Florence in 2017, starting with just one care home in west London. Today, Florence serves over 600 care homes across the UK, with over 50,000 nurses and carers signed up to the platform.
He says: “We're incredibly excited to be part of Upscale 5.0 this year. The programme has some great alumni and we're excited to join the cohort of the UK's most promising tech scale ups.
‘It will be great to spend time working with and learning from other leadership teams and scale coaches. We think Upscale will be an important stepping stone on our mission to be the market leading staffing platform for care.”
UK startup successes such as digital bank Monzo, energy company Bulb and tech firm Improbable have been through the programme in previous years. Tech Nation said the 30 new companies represent "The next generation of digital household names".
Mike Jackson, entrepreneur success director, Tech Nation, says: "As we enter our fifth year, the Upscale programme has built an incredible network of alumni, including UK unicorns Monzo and Improbable. The network has a wealth of experience to share with the cohort, reflected in our judging panel and programme sessions.
"I'm excited to welcome this year's companies on to the programme which helps to tackle key challenges founders face, wherever they are based in the UK."
