New Year, New Impact: Building be/impact to turn learning into social change

The problem be/impact is solving

Corporate training is a global multi-billion-pound industry, yet studies show that only a small fraction of what employees learn is ever applied. At the same time, non-profits and social organisations face chronic underinvestment in staff development, particularly in digital and soft skills. be/impact was created to close this gap.

Through a structured 10-week programme, corporate employees are trained to become facilitators. They then work in pairs to deliver tailored workshops to vetted non-profits, helping them solve real operational challenges, such as automating reports, improving stakeholder communication, or understanding AI tools.

The outcome is beneficial for everyone involved. Employees reinforce their learning by applying it in real-world situations, boosting confidence and skills. Non-profit organisations gain access to quality training that might otherwise be unattainable. Meanwhile, companies develop talent that is client-ready, socially aware, and deeply engaged.

From idea to scalable purpose-led business

Be/impact was incorporated in 2023 and quickly gained traction. The venture secured an Innovate UK grant, followed by its first major client, Roland Berger, where the programme became part of the onboarding journey for new hires. Since then, be/impact has raised £340,000 in pre-seed funding, launched its digital platform, and signed six paying clients across Europe.

So far, more than 100 employees and non-profit professionals have participated in the programme, with strong demand driven by a changing workplace landscape.

Be/impact provides a low-risk environment where employees can practise these skills before stepping into high-stakes client settings, while receiving 360-degree feedback from peers, non-profits, and recorded sessions.

Purpose beyond performative CSR

For Julian, be/impact is also a response to how younger generations view corporate purpose.

“People don’t want symbolic impact anymore,” he explains. “They want to use their actual skills to solve real problems.”

Instead of one-off volunteering days or surface-level CSR initiatives, be/impact enables sustained engagement that aligns business capabilities with social needs, particularly around closing the digital divide. The long-term vision is ambitious: upskilling 10 million employees by 2035, with each participant transferring knowledge to organisations working on the front lines of social and environmental challenges.

A brief look back: education and influences

Julian’s path to social entrepreneurship was shaped by a mix of international experiences across Latin America and Europe, including studying business and emerging markets at Maastricht University School of Business and Economics, followed by postgraduate studies in London. He credits problem-based learning and exposure to emerging markets with influencing how he approaches complex problems, but emphasises that be/impact itself is the product of cumulative real-world experiences rather than a single academic path.

Looking ahead

Now preparing for a £1.5 million seed round, be/impact plans to grow its team, expand internationally, and deepen its focus on AI and digital skills for non-profits. Collaboration remains central to that vision, and Julian sees strong opportunities for alumni networks to contribute, whether as partners, clients, mentors, or advocates.

For those considering launching a purpose-driven venture, his advice is pragmatic:

“Don’t wait until you feel ready. Start with a real problem, test fast, learn constantly, and build something that actually helps people.”

As be/impact enters its next phase, Julian’s work reflects a broader shift in how businesses, talent, and social impact can reinforce one another, turning learning into action, and purpose into scale.