JOBJACK, a pioneering online platform dedicated to simplifying the search for entry-level jobs, has recently announced a significant milestone, raising R45 million (approximately $2.5 million) in a pre-series A funding round. The round is spearheaded by Next176 and includes the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, known for their impact-focused investments.
Co-founded by Christiaan van den Berg and Heine Bellingan in 2018, JOBJACK has emerged as a leading web-based portal that connects job seekers with entry-level positions free of charge. The investment is set to boost the company’s reach and capabilities across South Africa.
Utilizing the new funds, JOBJACK intends to enhance its operational scope and further develop its burgeoning network. The company’s statement highlighted the plan to leverage the investment to expand the services across almost 5,000 employer sites nationwide.
Remarkably, the platform’s impact is evidenced by the nearly two million job seekers that have registered to date, a number that continues to swell by an additional 2,000 daily. This growth trajectory speaks to the essential nature of the service JOBJACK provides in a country where job access is critical.
Christiaan van den Berg, co-founder and co-CEO of JOBJACK, expressed enthusiasm about the fresh capital enabling the company to maintain its momentum in onboarding employers and enhancing the hiring process. This expansion aims to further democratize job accessibility and affordability for those who stand to benefit the most from such opportunities.
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, with a history of investing in organizations that innovate to increase job opportunities, regards their partnership with Jobjack as a strategic move to augment the platform’s ability to streamline recruitment processes and improve access for job seekers.
Ona Meyer, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation’s program manager for youth employment, praised JOBJACK’s business model and its commitment to serving individuals entering the workforce for the first time, emphasizing the potential societal impact of such initiatives.
Next176, represented by chief ventures officer Tramayne Monaghan, emphasized the alignment of JOBJACK’s mission with their goal of investing in disruptive and life-changing businesses. Monaghan pointed out JOBJACK’s potential to initiate a domino effect of positive change, highlighting the transformative influence a single job placement can have on the broader community.
JOBJACK’s innovative platform is more than a tool for job discovery; it’s an engine for social change, driving towards a future where every South African has the opportunity for employment, contributing to a more inclusive and prosperous nation.
The company is poised to redefine the landscape of entry-level recruitment in South Africa, thanks to the support of its investors and the unwavering vision of its leadership team. With this new funding round, JOBJACK is well on its way to establishing a new paradigm for employment in the digital age, one job match at a time.
