Taaj Akbari — Founder Of EqualStart
I come from a low social background and attended a school where opportunities were limited and expectations were often low. I didn’t achieve perfect grades, and I didn’t have a clear roadmap laid out for me—but I refused to let that define my future. Instead, I focused on gaining experience, building confidence, and making the most of every opportunity I could find.
I know what it feels like to believe the odds are stacked against you.
Today, I’m a first-year law student and a 2024 Access cohort intern, on a three-year programme running through to 2026. Being part of Access gave me first-hand insight into the legal and commercial world, and more importantly, it showed me that background should never be a barrier to ambition.
I created EqualStart to do what I wish existed when I was starting out:
to make opportunities visible, accessible, and achievable for students from low social backgrounds, across London and beyond.
About Me
While my experience is primarily rooted in law, EqualStart isn’t limited to one path. Whether you’re interested in law, finance, or simply figuring out your next step, my goal is to help you realise that experience matters, confidence can be built, and progress doesn’t require perfection.
If you feel overlooked, underestimated, or unsure where to begin – This platform is for you. If I managed to find my way forward, so can you.
