At Start Tech, CSR sits at the heart of everything we do. We believe businesses should play an active role in supporting people, communities and the environment. As a result, our approach to CSR focuses on meaningful action.
Supporting Our Local Community
We feel proud to be part of the Shropshire community, so we invest time, resources and energy into helping it thrive. Our team regularly attends school and college events to promote careers in tech. We also deliver talks on staying safe online, helping young people build confidence in a digital world.
Start Tech offers work experience placements, T Level opportunities and apprenticeships to create career pathways into IT. Almost half the team began as apprentices, including two members of our current leadership team, showing a true commitment to development.
We treat every apprentice as a valued colleague. They gain hands-on experience, structured training and industry-recognised certifications. Over time, they then support the next generation, creating a cycle of growth and opportunity. This commitment led to us being named Apprentice Employer of the Year Champions at the 2025 Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Apprenticeship Awards.
Our team is empowered to give back to the local community too. Every employee receives dedicated volunteer time to support causes they care about. This ensures our impact extends well beyond the workplace.
We believe strong communities are built through shared experiences. In the past few years, we have been major sponsors of Shrewsbury Food Festival, Shropshire Oktoberfest, and the Shrewsbury CAMRA Beer Festival.
Championing Local Causes
We actively support a range of local organisations. For instance, we provide our services free of charge to local charity Little Stars and CIC Brightstar Boxing. Our involvement goes deeper than financial and infrastructure support. Our Managing Director became Chair of Trustees for Little Stars, strengthening our long-term commitment.
Leanne Simcoe, Little Stars Chief Executive and Founder, said:
“Working with Start Tech for several years now has been an incredibly positive and impactful experience for the charity. Their support has gone far beyond the expected, bringing strategic insight and a genuine passion for making a difference in the community. This has been especially evident over the past year, with their Managing Director stepping into the role of Chair of Trustees, helping to strengthen our long-term vision. The collaboration has been inspiring and rewarding, and I’m excited to continue growing what we’ve achieved together.”
The team are always involved in raising funds for the charity, with initiatives like Wear Stars 4 Little Stars, with a bake sale, pub quiz and pyjama day for Project Nighttime, ensuring every child they support has a safe place to sleep. Our People and Compliance Manager took part in the Santa’s Little Stars campaign, wrapping Christmas gifts for local children. Our office tuck shop also contributes to this mission. All proceeds go to Little Stars, with over £2,600 raised so far.
Lewis Hardie, as well as helping at Little Stars, took part in Jacob’s Journey with The Movement Centre, making Jacob’s dream of reaching the summit of Snowdon come true.
Raising Funds Through Action
Our team enjoys getting involved in events that make a difference. We have taken part in the Dragon Boat Festival to support Severn Hospice. We have also competed in Coracle Racing to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Additionally, we sponsor Worthen Juniors football pitch. This helps support grassroots sport and encourages young people to stay active.
Driving Responsible Business Practices
We see CSR as part of how we operate every day. For example, we plant a tree for every customer satisfaction score we receive. This small action creates a lasting environmental impact over time.
We also provide free events for local businesses. These sessions focus on AI adoption and cyber security best practices. By sharing knowledge, we help other organisations grow safely and responsibly.
Working with Shropshire-based suppliers is a priority. This approach strengthens the local economy and builds trusted partnerships.
A Long Term Commitment to CSR
CSR at Start Tech is not a one-off initiative. Instead, it is a long term commitment that shapes how we work and who we work with. We believe doing business the right way leads to better outcomes for everyone.
If you’d like to find out more about working with Start Tech, get in touch with the team today.
