The hidden value of investing in societal impact
Joe Waller
Co-founder, Aire Logic and Aire Innovate
Using tech to deliver social value isn’t entirely altruistic - committing time to delivering non-profit initiatives drives innovation. Sister companies Aire Innovate and Aire Logic have taken this stance from the outset.
Recognising that stepping away from contractual obligations can often be rewarding in unexpected ways, founder Joseph Waller sets out why he one day envisages enabling colleagues to spend 40% of their paid working lives problem-solving for NHS bodies, academic institutions and charitable organisations that would otherwise be hindered by a lack of funding.
“Social value breeds business value - the ripple effect is good for the economy, for livelihoods, for our own sense of belonging and togetherness,” says Joe Waller. “Tech is sometimes seen as this cold, disruptive force, but the sector is delivering benefits to the most vulnerable communities and also for the technological minds that are making change happen.”
Working in unison
The best solutions arrive when people feel passionate about the projects they’re deployed on. Technology is increasingly being used to facilitate collective decision-making, and when teams are allowed to channel their combined expertise and energy into the things that matter most to them, amazing things happen. When they’ve decided to solve a problem or fix a broken system, the chances of success are much higher.
“We’re in a privileged position working in tech. Very simple solutions can make a massive difference, and while consciously only pursuing work that is good for citizens - and good for staff - we’ve established a successful business. Doing the right thing pays off and now we can invest more in getting behind the people and platforms that need the ingenuity of our talent the most.
“In turn, this brings on our people leaps and bounds. Some of our most ground-breaking work has come to fruition because of our not-for-profit endeavours.”
Healthy progress
For decades, Joseph and co-founder Mike Odling-Smee have been consulting national NHS organisations on their quest for better patient outcomes. Brilliant clinicians would come up with ideas to benefit service users but struggled to make a strong business case going down the traditional investment routes. That’s when the pair realised that, though working in healthcare provided a certain feel-good factor, they wanted to do more to tap into the true worth of social value.
Projects that followed included an initiative to help sufferers access mental health care closer to home, an e-rostering solution to improve junior doctors’ quality of life and image technology to analyse diabetic foot ulcers. More recently, the team has been using AI for tremor analysis in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s and using smartphones to allow patients to read their own vitals and support disease prevention.
Entering new markets
In parallel, the company’s not-for-profit and charity work has been instrumental in Aire Logic diversifying into other sectors.
Two ‘live’ initiatives are currently focusing on improving young people’s prospects by creating more nurturing educational environments.
The Lancaster Model is a tool that predicts whether pupils are at risk of difficulties related to health, mental health, wellbeing, and behavioural challenges. Used by school nurses and local authorities to enable earlier intervention where it’s needed, the platform was the vision of long-serving nursing professional Kath Lancaster, and Aire Logic’s low-code solutions made it happen.
Aire Logic is also lending its know-how to The Ahead Partnership to give back to young volunteers in a deprived area of Leeds. The youth empowerment charity is aimed at engaging under-represented groups in the technical and digital markets and, as such, is a cause with a close affinity for the founders.
“Working with social value specialists like The Ahead Partnership invites meaningful dialogue around how we not only do good but deliver real, measurable difference. The next step for us is getting a more tangible hold on the outcomes of our ‘passion projects’ so that we can demonstrate the social impact we’re delivering to all our stakeholders, but most importantly to our colleagues that are being afforded the time to be part of shaping ideas into purposeful solutions - which, without their involvement, would not be possible.”
A world of win-wins
Aire Logic and Aire Innovate both pride themselves on seeking out work that delivers strong social value - it’s always been the driver - but what Joseph is at pains to point out is that it shouldn’t be treated as a bolt-on but as an integral part of the business strategy. Tech is a force for good and getting the balance right between your commercial and contractual obligations, alongside using those skills for wider societal impact, leads to a world of win-win opportunities.
“Sponsoring the research and development of emerging concepts that lack the necessary funding allows for experimentation. Those valuable learnings help the business just as much as the beneficiaries. Our low hierarchy gives the team autonomy when it comes to choosing which projects they immerse themselves into and that leads to greater loyalty and, ultimately, a lasting-legacy for the business and the bright individuals involved.”