We are Lightning Reach.
At Lightning Reach, we’re driven by a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves access to the help they need to get back on their feet and build financial resilience.
Right now, that’s not the reality. Every year, over £23 billion in benefits, grants, and other support goes unclaimed in the UK. Not because people don’t need it, but because the systems are too complex, fragmented, or hard to find and navigate.
What we do
​We're on a mission to change that. Through our one-stop portal, we help individuals connect to multiple forms of support quickly and with dignity. Plus, we empower the organisations that serve them to deliver that support more efficiently and transparently.
When the system works better, people can thrive, not just survive.
Our vision
To enable anyone to access the support they need to build lasting financial resilience.
Our mission
To be the leading global platform that seamlessly connects people in financial hardship to the support they need, empowering them to get on the road to financial recovery.
Our story so far
2020
Founded during the pandemic. We were quickly awarded the Innovate UK grant.
2022
Hit 10k users and over £1m awarded through the portal. We won Tech Nation Rising Stars Diversity & Inclusion award.
2024
Celebrated £10m in funding awarded. Recognised in Sifted100's fastest growing startups and ACO's Collaboration of the Year award.
2021
Launched the Lightning Reach portal, co-designed with key charities. Won CogX and Impact Shakers awards.
2023
Raised £1m in funding from JRF, Big Issue Invest, Barrow Cadbury Trust and others. Portal enhanced with 2,500+ support matches.
2025
Reached over 200,000 people, with over £20m in total funding awarded through the portal.
Our values
We believe that no one should miss out on support they’re entitled to. Our work is grounded in values that guide how we build, collaborate, and grow.
We think big
We work agilely to build transformative solutions.
We collaborate
We place people at the centre & work together to progress.
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We care deeply
We are supportive & focus on empathy.
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We are inclusive
We treat people with fairness, respect & integrity.
We are purposeful
We commit towards making an impact in all that we do.
Funders & recent awards
We are honoured to be funded and supported by a combination of social change foundations with deep experience in the poverty space along with renowned investors backing diverse-led social purpose organisations.
Funders
Awards
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ACO's Charity Collaboration of the Year Award 2024
NatWest SE100 Index list 2024
Sifted UK & Ireland 100 2024
Rising Stars 4.0 Diversity & Inclusion Award 2022