‘Not an easy road to travel’: WelcoMe founder Gavin Neate talks startup realities, successes and challenges

WelcoMe founder Gavin Neate has taken to social media to discuss the reality of running a startup.

Currys recently became the first tech retailer to partner with WelcoMe, with the aim of improving the shopping experience for customers with disabilities.

In a LinkedIn post, Neate said: “What it takes..The last two months have been exceptional for WelcoMe with launches with Levi Strauss & Co., Currys, NHS Golden Jubilee, and East Midlands Railway.”

“Many of our partners have also won awards for their use of WelcoMe like Westminster City Council who won the Edge Digital Innovation Award for Digital Inclusion in Libraries.”

He added: “It’s been phenomenal. It will surprise people to learn then, that there are only two people working in this company, and that I have worked remotely from a motorhome for over two years in an effort to reduce costs to the business.”

“This is the reality of running a SaaS model company that focusses on keeping the cost of entry to inclusion as low as possible for businesses and 100% free for our disabled members.”

Neate concluded: “This is not an easy road to travel, true innovation seldom is, but we are proving what’s possible and as more join us and WelcoMe catches on we will grow and move more mountains.”

“To those who already support us and for those who know about my personal sacrifice, thank you. You are as much a part of our success as we are.”

Currys

The Currys partnership launched in conjunction with Neurodiversity Celebration Week.

A purpose built web app, the WelcoMe platform works by allowing shoppers with a disability to register an in-person store visit, online.

Through filling out a quick form indicating any specific disability related needs or information, and an estimated date/time of arrival, stores are then notified of the upcoming visit giving them the opportunity to prepare for and accommodate any specific requirements etc.

The tool also gives retail partners access to pointers and best practice techniques to help accommodate anybody, specific to certain disabilities.

The trial will be piloted across 20 Currys stores around the Birmingham region, including: Birmingham Castle Vale, Birmingham Highgate, Birmingham Selly Oak, Burton, Cannock, Kidderminster, Leicester Fosse, Leicester St Georges, Loughborough, Merry Hill Retail Park, Shrewsbury, Solihull, Stafford, Stoke Festival Park, Stoke Longton, Sutton Coldfield, Tamworth, Telford, Wednesbury J9 and Wolverhampton.