I'm excited to announce that YLD has come on board as a software partner for State School Ventures.

I've known the team at YLD for years, and they align perfectly with everything SSV stands for:

1. High Standards: They ship work that they’re proud of, and it shows. They've built dozens of tools and services that touch millions of lives daily, for clients like Trainline, Ledger, and NewDay. They don't just write code; they craft solutions they celebrate;

2. Great People: Every interaction I’ve had with YLD has been a pleasure. The team is bright, fun, and most importantly, curious and genuinely interested;

3. Deep Integrity: They operate with a sense of responsibility to the broader ecosystem, striving to make a positive impact. They don’t just say it; they act on it.

And this last point is perfectly illustrated by how they became partners with SSV. When our first participant joined the program, he faced a serious challenge. He'd secured a spot at the Peckham Festival to showcase his startup, Donup - a platform aiming to connect local charities and donors. But there was a catch: he had a tight deadline (just 2-3 weeks) to develop key functionality for the festival, with no money or team to do it.

YLD stepped in, developed the required functionality, and enabled Donup to make the most of that festival opportunity. As a result, Donup not only participated but took its message and mission to a much wider audience.

There's a saying: "You are what you do, not what you say." YLD's actions define their ethos. I’m proud to be working alongside them.

And a special shoutout to Levente Bagi, who also pitched in on his own time to make this happen. His generosity didn't go unnoticed, and I know Micah and the Donup team will be forever grateful.