A language learning platform improves employment prospects for refugees

The startup connects candidates from marginalised groups with employers in the digital economy

Spotted: The tech industry has witnessed explosive growth in recent years, with advertised vacancies more than doubling since 2020. According to the UK government, there are now over 160,887 tech jobs available in the country, representing a wide range of opportunities across a variety of sectors and industries.

One company that is at the forefront of this trend is Chatterbox, a platform that connects candidates from marginalised groups—including refugees and other disadvantaged individuals—with employers in the digital economy.

Founded in 2016 by Afghani refugee Mursal Hedayat MBE and her co-founder Guillemette Dejean, Chatterbox started out as an online language learning school that helped Syrian refugees earn a living by teaching Arabic to professionals looking to improve their language skills.

However, the company has since grown to serve other refugee and marginalised groups – building a track record of economic empowerment and improved employability along the way. And now, the company is expanding its offer to deliver what it calls ‘diversity as a service’. This will help companies in the digital economy hire talent from marginalised groups, helping refugees break into a sector they might have previously considered out of reach.

With a new funding round totalling €1.7 million, Chatterbox is well-positioned to make the most of a new era of labour market innovation. And the company’s client roster already includes well-known brands such as Unilever, FTI Consulting, and the British Red Cross. By developing new products and services designed specifically for companies looking to promote diversity in their workplaces, Chatterbox aims to set itself apart as a true pioneer.

Other recent educational innovations spotted by Springwise include a language learning app that helps migrant children navigate cultural differences, a platform that keeps students, teachers, and parents in sync, and a human-first employee learning platform.