New partnership aims to create at least 120 AI and cybersecurity jobs across London, Cambridge and Peterborough
Cogs AI and Allia Impact have secured government funding to deliver Neuroedge, a new recruitment platform connecting tech graduates with charities, social enterprises and other mission-led organisations.
The project brings together Cogs AI’s technology and neuroinclusive matching approach with Allia Impact’s network of mission-led organisations, universities and partners. Cogs AI will lead the development of the platform, while Allia Impact will lead employer and university engagement, identify suitable opportunities and support organisations through the recruitment process.
The partnership is one of 39 projects receiving funding through the government’s TechFirst Local Fund, delivered through Innovate UK. Cogs AI is the lead grant recipient, with Allia Impact acting as the project’s delivery partner.
Together, the organisations aim to create at least 120 new jobs across London, Cambridge and Peterborough by 31 March 2027, connecting graduates and emerging talent with roles in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Unlike conventional recruitment platforms, Neuroedge will look beyond qualifications, previous experience and CV keywords. Its strengths-based approach will consider candidates’ technical skills, cognitive strengths, workplace needs and connection with an organisation’s purpose.
This will allow participating organisations to identify candidates who are suited not only to the technical requirements of a role, but also to their working environment and team.
The project responds to two connected challenges. Mission-led organisations increasingly recognise the potential of AI and digital technology but often lack the internal expertise or recruitment networks needed to adopt it. At the same time, graduates and early-career candidates can struggle to find inclusive opportunities where they can build practical experience and contribute to meaningful work.
Umesh Kumar, CEO of Allia Impact, said:
“There is a huge opportunity for mission-led organisations to benefit from AI and emerging technologies, but too often they lack the resources, expertise or connections to make that happen. At the same time, we have talented graduates looking for opportunities to put their skills to work and make a difference.
This partnership is about bringing those two things together. By combining Cogs AI’s technology and inclusive approach with Allia Impact’s networks and experience supporting mission-led organisations, we can help employers build the capabilities they need while opening up meaningful career opportunities for the next generation of technology talent.”
The platform builds on Cogs AI’s existing NeuroEdge methodology, which provides strengths-based employment support for neurodivergent graduates. Through this project, the approach will be expanded to support all graduates and early-career candidates, both neurodivergent and non-neurodivergent.
Zareen Ali, CEO and co-founder of Cogs AI, said:
“Traditional recruitment processes rely heavily on CVs, keywords and interview performance. This can overlook talented people whose strengths are not always captured by those methods, particularly graduates, women and neurodivergent candidates entering the technology sector.
“Neuroedge will look at the wider factors that contribute to a successful and sustainable placement, including how someone thinks, the environment in which they work best and what they want their work to contribute to. Working with Allia Impact gives us an opportunity to apply that approach at scale while connecting talented people with organisations delivering meaningful change.”
The partnership will work with universities, colleges, careers services, Women in STEM societies and other youth communities to reach students, graduates and people at the beginning of their technology careers.
Participating organisations will receive support to identify where technology skills could make a practical difference, define appropriate roles, prepare managers and onboard successful candidates. Employees and employers will also receive ongoing check-ins and workplace adjustment guidance.
Organisations interested in recruiting emerging technology talent can register at:
Tech talent for mission-led organisations | Allia Impact
Students, graduates and early-career candidates can register at:
Tech opportunities for students | Allia Impact
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