Access to employment Con t e xt and Appr o ach Shar ed Gr o wth Ambition Case study: Unreasonable Impact Gener al S We joined forces with Unreasonable Group, a leading platform for Destination New York tandar entrepreneurs solving global challenges with scalable models, to launch a The global programme moved to New York in November and the US new partnership called Unreasonable Impact. This is a multi-year, participants were a diverse mix, from Thread, a textile company that d Disclosur international network of Accelerators focused on scaling up entrepreneurial transforms trash into thread, to Accio Energy, a venture employing a solutions that will in turn help employ thousands worldwide. wind system that generates high-voltage energy without turbines. Each company participating in the Accelerators must be focused on The US programme saw the entrepreneurs receive mentorship and es solving a pressing societal and/or environmental challenge and have a advice from business experts and serial entrepreneurs, such as Hunter solution that can scale. The programme selects ventures that each Lovins, president of Natural Capital Solutions and Time Magazine Hero demonstrate potential to create at least 500 new jobs over the next of the planet for 2009, Tom Chi, co-founder of Google Glass and five years. Google’s self-driving car, and Steven Berkenfeld, Managing Director at Specific S Barclays, among others. A successful launch “Scale ups are fundamental in driving economic growth,” explained Joe tandar In October, we launched UK Accelerator with 10 businesses participating, each focused on finding solutions to a diverse range of global McGrath, CEO of Barclays Americas and Global Head of Capital Markets. d Disclosur challenges, including food production, remote healthcare support, “It’s an honour to partner with Unreasonable to create an accelerator deforestation and water scarcity. The selected entrepreneurs attended a program in the US to help alleviate unemployment and grow the green two week programme in Gloucestershire where they received focused economy. By supporting ventures that have scalable solutions to some es and bespoke support, and guidance from business experts, serial of the world’s greatest challenges with our resources and mentorship, entrepreneurs, key funders as well as experts from across Barclays. we will not only help to address significant societal and environmental issues, but we will also be creating the jobs of tomorrow.” A profound experience KP 26 Barclays specialists provided discussion on topics ranging from 2017 and beyond MG Assur Public Relations management, marketing advice through to looking Following New York, the programme will head to Singapore in 2017 after Intellectual Property rights. with companies selected to participate from across Asia Pacific. Successive programmes will then run in the UK, US and Asia over the ance S The Barclays specialists soaked in the energy and enthusiasm of the next three years, creating a global network centred around scaling ta entrepreneurs and were inspired by their innovation and desire to t address such impactful issues. Feedback received from the specialists impact entrepreneurs as job creators. emen was unanimously positive, with some citing they had a special and You can read more about the programme and entrepreneurs t profound experience. taking part by visiting unreasonableimpact.com. Nichola Sharpe, Director External Communications, Barclays UK attended as a specialist and said “It was great to see Barclays supporting such a worthwhile accelerator initiative and I was thankful for having the opportunity to lend my communications expertise to such an inspiring group of entrepreneurs and to meet wonderful individuals from the Unreasonable Group, a diverse range of inspiring mentors, plus a great collection of Barclays colleagues. I came away with positivity, confidence, inspiration and a great network of fascinating individuals and entrepreneurs I will definitely stay connected with.” home.barclays/annualreport Barclays PLC Environmental Social Governance Supplement 2016 • 14