Female entrepreneurs Sophie Mason and Merryn Roberts-Ward aim to start an ‘inclusion revolution’ with the launch of a new app.
ThinkEDI, an app which collates, measures and tracks diversity and inclusion data, has received a micro loan from the Development Bank of Wales and has been developed by Cardiff-based WeGetDesign.
Its aim is to keep people at its heart whilst allowing organisations to make actionable and measurable strategic decisions based on hard data.
The app’s co-founders have expertise in global HR change management and both have also experienced the discrimination and unconscious bias faced by disabled people.
They recognised the opportunity for a digital-first solution that supports individuals and makes it easy for employers and service providers to be compliant.
“As an ambulatory wheelchair user and HR change management professional, I understand workplace barriers from both an employee and employer perspective,” said Mason.
“The ThinkEDI app will bring organisations financial and social returns on investment.
“Diversity and inclusion has been seen in the past about putting people into a box, we don’t see it that way. We are all individuals with unique needs and experiences.
“With an ever-increasing AI and globaIising world, ThinkEDI ensures people stay at the heart of these changes.”
Claire Vokes, senior investment executive with the Development Bank, added: “As champions of inclusivity, Sophie and Merryn are a real force. They have developed an innovative digital tool that simplifies the management of equality data.
“Their story really is one of dedication, resilience and resolve – breaking barriers and setting new standards. It’s a privilege to be supporting them.”
As members of FinTech Wales, ThinkEDI is based at Welsh ICE on Caerphilly Business Park.
The micro loan for ThinkEDI came from the £500 million Wales Flexible Investment Fund.