The Too Early Co.

Giving the brightest minds the best opportunities

The UK's top university students, trained to put AI to work, matched to real projects in start-ups and SMEs.

The student path

  1. ApplyOne form
  2. ScreeningTEC review
  3. AI Workplace CourseAbout two weeks
  4. MarketplaceTalent bank

Only students who pass the TEC AI Workplace Integration Course enter the talent marketplace. A pass shows the skills needed to make a real difference inside SMEs.

Developed with
  • Durham University Venture LabDurham University Venture Lab

Freeto apply

£49.99course and accreditation

Apply as a Student
How does applying work?
Application is free. One form, then the TEC AI Workplace Integration Course. About two weeks, with an assessment at the end. The course and accreditation is £49.99, partnering with some of the UK's top universities. Pass, and your profile goes on the marketplace.
What kind of work will I do?
On request, you put AI workplace integration into action inside the firm, while working on their other project work.
How am I assessed?
People read your application and assess you against the project(s). A pass on the course shows you have the skills to make a real difference inside SMEs.
Am I guaranteed a match?
No. A match is not guaranteed. A strong application and a pass put you in front of hundreds of firms.

Application is free for all students. The TEC AI Workplace Integration Course and accreditation is £49.99, partnering with some of the UK's top universities.

For Businesses

Hiring a student?

Freeto view the marketplace

£349.99per matched candidate

Submit a Brief with Ask TEC
What do I need to bring?
A brief with Ask TEC. Tell us the work, and whether you want the student solely on AI workplace integration consulting, or that work alongside your other project work.
How does matching work?
All year round. Free to use the website and view the marketplace. Review candidates, and receive students matched to your projects. A match is £349.99.
Who gets put forward?
Undergraduates, master's and PhD students who have passed the TEC AI Workplace Integration Course. Ready to make the business more efficient, and to take on your project work.
Which businesses do you work with?
Start-ups, scale-ups and SMEs, across the industries we match into. Recruits for the future of the business.

Multiple candidates: price upon request, with a lower average cost.

Durham University Venture Lab logoDurham University Venture LabNatwest Accelerator logoNatwest AcceleratorFuture Planet Capital logoFuture Planet CapitalDurham University Venture Lab logoDurham University Venture LabNatwest Accelerator logoNatwest AcceleratorFuture Planet Capital logoFuture Planet Capital

Demo

Student portal and Business Hub

Open either side. Students see business match cards with logos. Businesses browse the marketplace.

The matching service

Recruits trained to make the firm more efficient

The UK's top university students, trained to put AI to work, matched to real projects in start-ups and SMEs. They can help you use AI inside the firm, and take on your other project work too.

For Students

Train, accredit, get matched

One application, at no charge. The course, assessment and accreditation is £49.99, partnering with some of the UK's top universities. Placements run in summer or during term, against a written brief.

  • Application is free for all students
  • The TEC AI Workplace Integration Course and accreditation is £49.99, partnering with some of the UK's top universities. About two weeks, then assessment
  • Your profile posted to the marketplace, in front of hundreds of firms
  • Matched all year round to project work inside businesses
  • Monthly newsletter, live Q&A, and further perks coming soon
Student applications
For Businesses

Submit a brief with Ask TEC

You define the work. TEC puts forward students from the talent marketplace who can deliver it, including AI workplace integration inside the firm.

  • Recruits for the future of the business, matched all year round
  • Access to a talent marketplace of the UK's top university students, trained in AI workplace integration
  • On request, they help you use AI inside the firm, and take on your other project work
  • Or they can focus solely on AI workplace integration consulting. You tell Ask TEC which you want
  • Student pay is agreed separately, at or above UK National Minimum Wage. TEC does not take a cut
Business enquiries

Top 10

UK university partners

Year-round

Matching into the talent marketplace

250+

Summer '26 applications, trial round

Accredited

AI workplace integration training

Process

How it works

01

Application or brief

Students submit one application. Businesses submit a brief with Ask TEC, including whether the work is AI workplace integration only, or that plus other project work.

02

Course and assessment

Students take the TEC AI Workplace Integration Course (about two weeks), then an assessment. A pass is required before they are shown to businesses. Accreditation is recognised externally, partnering with some of the UK's top universities.

03

Shortlist

The business receives a shortlist from the talent marketplace, matched to the brief. Students are put forward where they can make a real difference inside the firm.

04

Preparation

Onboarding is set to the tools the team uses. Start dates are agreed. Matching runs all year round.

05

Placement

The student enters the firm. On request they put AI workplace integration into action, while working on your other project work.

Industries

Across the industries we match into

Compared with standard hiring

How TEC differs from the usual internship process

The Current Route
The Too Early Co
Application

Fragmented forms, fees and rigid deadlines. Little visibility for the top applicants and strain on business leaders.

One application into the talent marketplace. Course, assessment and accreditation included. Dates flex around summer or the academic year.

Screening

Opaque CV filters that reward strong formatting over demonstrated capability.

Candidates are assessed against the specific project(s), and have passed the AI workplace integration course.

For businesses

Generic vacancies, high layered agency fees and inexperienced hires.

Submit a brief with Ask TEC. Students can make the firm more efficient with AI workplace integration, and take on your other project work. Simple fees, not a cut of salary.

Outcome

Coffee-fetching internships with little lasting value.

A student in the firm, trained and ready. AI integration on request, alongside defined project work. Student pay is agreed separately.

The team

Built by students, for students

Charlie Bramwell and Rory Edwards built TEC while studying at Durham University. They work from inside the same university system, graduate market, and business networks their users are in.

Charlie Bramwell

Charlie Bramwell

LinkedIn
  • PPE student at Durham University
  • BlackRock intern in Private Equity (RE) Investing
  • Durham University 1st XI Football
  • Head Boy at Repton School
Rory Edwards

Rory Edwards

LinkedIn
  • Studying Economics at Durham University
  • Versus Acta intern in climate-tech (Incoming)
  • Captain of Durham University 1st XI Football
  • Scaled Spanish teaching platform and YouTube channel "Spanish with Rors"

Students

Free

to apply

£49.99

course and accreditation

Application is free for all students. The TEC AI Workplace Integration Course and accreditation is £49.99, partnering with some of the UK's top universities. About two weeks, then an assessment. Pass and you receive an accreditation recognised externally. It shows you can make a real difference inside SMEs. A match is not guaranteed. A strong application puts you on the marketplace in front of hundreds of firms. Newsletter and live Q&A included. Further perks coming soon.

ApplySign in as a student

Businesses

Free

to view the marketplace

£349.99

per matched candidate

They can help you use AI inside the firm, and take on your other project work too. Multiple candidates: price upon request. TEC does not take a percentage of the student's salary.

Submit a Brief with Ask TECSign in as a business

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

If your question is not listed, contact TEC.

How does the application work?

Application is free for all students. Confirm when you are available (summer, during term, or both) and submit one application. The TEC AI Workplace Integration Course and accreditation is £49.99, partnering with some of the UK's top universities. About two weeks, then assessment. Pass, and you are posted to the marketplace.

Who is The Too Early Co. for?

Undergraduates, master's and PhD students at leading UK universities, and businesses that want recruits for the future of the firm. Students who can make the business more efficient with AI workplace integration, and take on project work.

Am I guaranteed a match?

No. A match is not guaranteed. A strong application, and a pass on the course, puts you on the marketplace in front of hundreds of firms.

What is the TEC AI Workplace Integration Course?

About two weeks, then an assessment. Pass and you receive an accreditation recognised externally. It shows you can make a real difference inside SMEs.

How are students matched to businesses?

Submit a brief with Ask TEC. We ask whether you want the student solely on AI workplace integration consulting, or that work alongside your other project work. Candidates are then assessed against that brief.

What does it cost?

Application is free for all students. The TEC AI Workplace Integration Course and accreditation is £49.99, partnering with some of the UK's top universities. Newsletter and live Q&A are included. Businesses: free to use the website and view the marketplace, then £349.99 per matched candidate. Multiple candidates: price upon request, with a lower average cost. Student pay is agreed separately, at or above UK National Minimum Wage. TEC does not take a percentage of the student's salary. Minimum hire is two weeks, at 15 hours per week.

When do internships take place?

All year round. Summer or during the academic year, depending on what suits the student and the business. Exact dates are agreed once a match is made.