Portfolio – SkilledUp Life

Youngsters Track:

Build your CV and portfolio before everyone else.

You've just turned 18, you're at University or recently graduated. Employers want experience but nobody gives you the chance. SkilledUp Life does. Gain real, referenceable work experience with tech startups while you study.

Join as a Volunteer

A human capital platform. Join us for the long road ahead.

Volunteers

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Countries

Tech Startups helped

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Years in operation

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The challenge.

The experience paradox.

Every job requires experience. But how do you get experience without a job? Internships and apprenticeships are competitive and limited. Part-time work rarely builds career-relevant skills. Certificates alone don’t cut it anymore.

58%.

of graduates struggle to find relevant work within 6 months.

73%

of employers prioritise experience over qualifications.

£0

cost to volunteer — build experience for free through SkilledUp Life.

What you will build.

A CV that stands out. A portfolio that proves it.

Build a portfolio of experiences by volunteering for tech startups.

Real Experience.

Add genuine startup experience to your CV. Not simulated projects, actual experience with real early stage tech companies solving real problems.

Professional references.

Get referenceable experience from tech startup founders and managers who can vouch for your skills and experience.

Portfolio of results.

Build a portfolio of tangible outcomes: campaigns launched, features shipped, research completed, customers supported.

Who this is for.

Is this you?

With SkilledUp Lifers you can build multiple teams to take your startup through every stage investors care about, from idea validation to revenue generation and beyond.

Students (18+).

Currently studying at university or college and want to build practical experience alongside your studies.

Recent graduates.

Just finished your degree and struggling to break into the job market without relevant experience.

Interns and apprentices.

Looking for additional hands-on experience in a different field or want to broaden your skill set.

Career starters.

Had part-time or full-time jobs but want to pivot into tech, startups or a specific functional area.

How it works.

From sign-up to experience in three steps.

Three simple steps to accelerate the growth of your tech startup

Create your profile.

Sign up for free, fill in your skills, education, work experience to date and aspirations. Be honest about your competency level. Tech Startups value authenticity.

Apply for Opportunities.

Browse listed Volunteer Opportunities and apply to up to 3 at a time. Choose roles that fit your career path and interests.

Deliver and grow.

Sign your Volunteer Agreement, understand your tasks and deliver results. Build your portfolio with every project you complete.

Trusted by ambitious tech startups.

SkilledUp Life is the talent engine powering startup execution globally.

Our awesome customers

Built by SkilledUp Lifers for the benefit of many.

What's included in every account.

Giving every tech entrepreneur an equal footing to start, grow and scale.

Success stories. Isn’t it time you create your own success story with us?

From tech startups. Real stories. Real results.

Version 1 (WordPress) of SkilledUp Life helped over 200+ tech startups. Version 2, built by our SkilledUp Lifers, went live in February 2026. Finally, we have a foundation to help you achieve your ambition faster.

“I’ve come to realise that my team of SkilledUp Life Volunteers is what will propel me to the next level. While some will choose to move on, those who extend their commitment are absolute gold."

Michael Livingston

Founder & CEO - DustID

“SkilledUp Life was a great way to punch above our weight by acting as a force multiplier, giving us access to talent that a fledgling startup like ours would never normally get access to”

Thomas Ballin

Co-Founder, Cytix

"So far we have partnered with some amazing people, with fantastic work ethics and ambition. I tell all of the tech founders on my accelerator about SkilledUp Life and I'm positive you will see them sign up soon."