Havas Media Group offers investment and support to underrepresented start-ups with launch of Havas Boost

- New programme will provide investment and support to emerging media and tech start-ups founded by underrepresented groups, with an initial focus on Black, Asian and minority ethnic-owned businesses

- Move reflects Havas Media Group’s ongoing efforts to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses and people.

Havas Media Group in the UK is to launch Havas Boost, a new programme providing investment and support to emerging media and tech start-ups founded by underrepresented groups, with an initial focus on Black, Asian and minority ethnic-owned businesses. The move reflects Havas Media Group’s ongoing efforts to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses and people.

Spearheaded by Gerald Appau-Bonsu alongside his colleagues within Havas Media Group’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Havas Boost seeks to address the lack of funding and support available to start-ups founded by underrepresented groups. It has been developed in partnership with investment management specialist CEG Investment Group, which was also co-founded by Appau-Bonsu, and will act as investment managers for the programme.

In recognition of the challenges faced by minority-owned start-ups in securing investment, the first round of funding in the programme’s first year will be dedicated exclusively to businesses with owners from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Havas Media Group is committing up to £150,000 worth of resources for Havas Boost’s first investment round, split evenly between cash, marketing budget/media spend and facilities (offering free rent for storage and/or office space).

The application process for Havas Boost will open in January 2022. Those who would like to find out more about applying can register their interest by emailing register@havasboost.com.

Gerald Appau-Bonsu, Founder of Havas Boost, Havas Media Group, said: “Havas Boost is a pledge from Havas Media Group to be the positive change we want to see in the world. I have been committing my own resources to helping others on a much smaller scale for a while now, so I know that this programme is going to have such a meaningful impact on the businesses chosen and in turn the community and industry as a whole. I’m looking forward to helping new start-ups reach their next level of success. I want to thank Havas for giving me and my company CEG the opportunity to lead this process.”

Patrick Affleck, CEO, Havas Media Group, UK & Ireland, added: "As Black History Month comes to a close, we’re really proud to be announcing the launch of Havas Boost, which aims to help level the playing field for businesses founded by underrepresented groups, initially focussing on Black, Asian and minority ethnic-owned start-ups. It’s inspiring to see how Gerald and his team have developed the programme, and we’re excited to see how we can make a meaningful difference to some diverse new entrants to the media and tech space.”