Origins and Evolution: From a Student Project to a Movement

Sociability began in 2017 as a student-led initiative at the University of Oxford called the “Oxford Accessibility Project.” Inspired by Matt’s own challenges as a wheelchair user in finding accessible college spaces, he set out to collect and share accessibility information about Oxford’s colleges and halls. 

Over time, the project expanded, encompassing information on the accessibility of local venues, from restaurants to cafés and bars. In 2020, this community-driven mission developed into Sociability, a company dedicated to empowering disabled individuals everywhere with accurate and accessible information.

The vision of Sociability has remained consistent since its inception: to simplify the world’s accessibility information and, in doing so, create more equitable opportunities for disabled people. While the mission started in Oxford, Matt’s ambition quickly grew beyond local bounds. Today, Sociability is a full-fledged technology platform that leverages software to make accessibility information widely available at scale, enabling people and businesses to foster more inclusive environments.

Navigating Challenges: Building a Business During Unprecedented Times 

Matt recognises that starting a company is challenging at the best of times, but Sociability’s launch in 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, adding a unique layer of complexity. The company made its first hires just weeks before the global lockdown and launched its initial product that September. Suddenly, the venues Sociability aimed to serve were closed, and users were confined to their homes. Despite these limitations, the pandemic pushed Matt and the team to focus on monetisation much earlier than planned, laying the groundwork for its enterprise services and revenue models today.

Throughout the past four years, Sociability faced two primary hurdles: securing financing and attracting the right talent. Developing a revenue model in the largely uncharted field of accessibility presented challenges in explaining the company’s vision and convincing funders of the value we could deliver. Building a strong, mission-driven team also required persistence and creativity. Through it all, Matt maintained a focus on relationships, working with values-aligned funders and hiring passionate people committed to the company mission.

The journey has taught Matt and the team the importance of resilience. In a startup environment, progress is often non-linear, but by continuously pushing forward, Matt recalls how this created new opportunities for growth and success.

Looking Ahead: Scaling for Impact

Sociability is now on the cusp of a significant expansion. With the recent release of a new, more powerful version of its app, Matt and the team is poised to bring reliable accessibility information to even more users. By the end of the year, Sociability expects to have mapped more than 10,000 venues across London and thousands more nationwide.

As the company’s reach grows, so does the team. Sociability is actively recruiting talent in London and across the UK, with plans for further international expansion. The goal is to increase data collection and mapping efforts on a global scale, ensuring the platform can serve as many people and places as possible.

Navigating Economic Challenges and Charting a Path Forward

Matt is mindful of the economic challenges currently facing both users and clients. For individuals, the cost of living crisis impacts their ability to explore and enjoy public spaces – a challenge Sociability aims to address through its platform’s enhanced usability and reliability. 

For Sociability’s clients, especially larger organisations, Matt notes the growing financial constraints and the tendency to deprioritise accessibility initiatives in times of budget cuts. This concern has been especially present as Sociability works to close its latest round of funding; “seed and pre-seed funders increasingly expect levels of traction once associated with Series A companies, underscoring the difficulty of navigating current economic conditions”. 

Yet, despite these obstacles, Matt remains optimistic about growth and impact. Recent grant funding from organisations such as Innovate UK and the Toyota Mobility Foundation have been instrumental in advancing Sociability’s product offerings. Looking ahead, Matt is excited to explore the potential of artificial intelligence to further enhance accessibility. Partnerships in this space would be invaluable, and Sociability welcomes collaborators who share its vision for a more inclusive world.

Read more about sociability via their website and read more of our scaleup stories here.

Matt Pierri, Founder & CEO, Sociability