From Learning → Meaningful Work
Building the UK’s most inclusive early-careers platform, so every young person can discover, prepare for, and land the opportunity that changes their life. – No Matter their postcode
4,000 daily active student users
From Homeless Teen to Award-Winning Founder
Carlo Weaver’s personal story is the reason Apprentago exists and why we’re building a more inclusive future for early careers.
Founders Story
Carlo Weaver built Apprentago from lived experience.
My lived experience, including autism, eight months of homelessness, and leaving school with no GCSEs, shaped Apprentago’s mission: to make sure every young person, no matter their postcode, background, or learning style, can find a meaningful career path. An apprenticeship was my lifeline: it took me from living in hostels to investment-banking at NatWest, and in 2024 that journey was recognised with the British Business Awards “Small Business Influencer of the Year.”
Giving Back
Re-investing 5% back into the industry
Opportunity should never be gated by budget. That’s why Apprentago sets aside 5 % of top-line revenue every year to support grass-roots early-career initiatives.
Schools & Colleges – funding careers days, mock-interview workshops, and teacher CPD
Students – micro-grants for course fees, travel, and creator-led career projects
Small Businesses – free platform credits and social-media campaigns to help them hire apprentices
Industry Outreach – sector-insight content that demystifies hidden career paths
Meet the Team Behind Apprentago
Jonathan Zephir
Tech Advisor
Jonathan is a VP of Engineering at Citi Group for ECMA Europe and a passionate advocate for social impact — serving as a school governor and chair of finance, while actively helping shape the future of apprenticeships. He’s built graduate and apprenticeship programs across industries and led multiple enterprise product builds in the financial sector.
Jonathan has been part of Apprentago since day one and works closely with Carlo, both professionally and personally. Their friendship and shared belief in the mission have helped drive the platform’s vision from idea to reality. Jonathan supports Apprentago almost daily — helping grow and scale the technology behind our movement.
Ash Ali
Strategic Mentor & First Shareholder
Ash has been with Apprentago since day zero— the very first person to back Carlo’s vision and invest in the company. An award-winning author of The Unfair Advantage and CEO of Uhubs (the tech platform that upskills C-suite sales teams), Ash knows how to turn bold ideas into scalable ventures. In 2025 he led Uhubs to win the London Tech Awards, securing a £1 million grant for growth.
Inside Apprentago, Ash is Carlo’s Obi-Wan Kenobi: mentor, sounding board, and strategic ally. His guidance on product-market fit and growth strategy continues to shape the direction—and the ambition—of everything we build.
Richard Waddington
Investor & Business Strategy Mentor
Richard is the wise figure at Apprentago—an entrepreneur who’s seen and done it all. He founded and exited 1st Agency, once the largest events agency in the UK with over 1,000 employees and offices in 4 continents, before that oversaw operations at historic Spencer House for the Royal Family.
Richard’s own life was transformed by an apprenticeship when he was just 15. That experience fuels his mission today: opening doors for young people, especially into the creative sector where he built his career.
As an investor and strategy mentor, Richard brings decades of board-level insight, creative-industry expertise, and a steady hand that helps guide Apprentago’s long-term vision.
Akshay Ruparellia
Technology Partner · CEO of Brdge AI
Akshay is the CEO of Brdge AI, Apprentago’s official technology partner, and a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur. He’s also the founder of 1Club, one of London’s top 7 private members clubs, bringing together the next generation of changemakers.
Raised by deaf parents and a proud first-generation Brit, Akshay built his first company at just 17 and went on to become one of the UK’s most talked-about young entrepreneurs. He took a real chance investing in Apprentago early and continues to drive its technical vision through the Brdge team.
Though Carlo and Akshay often challenge each other’s thinking, there’s deep mutual respect. Carlo openly says he strives to one day match the level of impact Akshay has already made.
Saachin Bhatt
AI Strategy & Co-Founder of Brdge AI
Saachin is one of the youngest AI and data consultants to have worked at Accenture, where he began his career as an apprentice. He’s now the Co-Founder of Brdge AI, a cutting-edge software company specialising in artificial intelligence, and a key technology partner behind the Apprentago platform.
A strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the apprenticeship landscape, Saachin works closely with Carlo to ensure the tech not only functions — but drives real impact. Together, they’re building systems that remove barriers for young people and reimagine what early careers tech can do.
Join us in building a fairer future for early careers
Whether you’re an employer, educator, policymaker or student champion, Apprentago can help you unlock opportunity for the next generation.
Got questions?
💬 What is an Apprenticeship, and how does it work?
An apprenticeship is a paid job where you gain hands-on experience while studying for a formal qualification. It’s a blend of on-the-job training and academic learning that prepares you for a specific career.
💬 How can I find and apply for apprenticeships on your platform?
Simply create a free account, browse the available apprenticeships by job role, industry, or location, and submit your application directly through our platform.
💬 Is your platform free to use for students?
Yes, our platform is 100% free for students! You can search and apply for as many apprenticeships as you like, at no cost.
💬 Can I get help if I have questions?
Yes! Whether you’re a student or an employer, our support team is here to help. You can reach out via email or through our online chat for assistance with applications or posting vacancies.