Nigerian-based HR tech startup, Propel, has successfully secured $2.74 million (€2.5 million) in seed funding to accelerate the adoption and roll-out of its innovative community-as-a-service platform. The funding round was led by No Such Ventures, with participation from APX, Golden Egg Check, and Future of Learning Fund.
Propel, founded in 2020 by Sunkanmi Ola, Seun Owolabi, and Abel Agoi, aims to assist multinational corporations in mitigating the risks associated with hiring remote workers from emerging markets, with a particular focus on Africa. Recognizing the significance of communities in the tech ecosystem, especially in emerging markets, Propel has built its foundation on a community-based approach.
Ola explained to TechCrunch that while many tech communities focus on expanding their talent pools and upskilling members, they often struggle to connect these skilled individuals with job opportunities. This is where Propel steps in, acting as a talent pipeline by linking tech communities with a network of companies that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and have specific job roles to fill.
By tapping into the diverse talent pools within these tech communities, spanning various skill sets such as software development, design, data science, no-code solutions, and other digital transformation skills, Propel provides last-mile infrastructure while enabling global companies to access this talent pool through its unique “community-as-a-service” business model.
Beyond employment opportunities, tech talent from these communities can also benefit from access to workstations, healthcare services, and, in the future, financial services like loans and asset financing.
With offices in Berlin, Lagos, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, London, and Nairobi, Propel has already recruited over 550 professionals for various roles. The company plans to expand its ecosystem of communities, scale its community platform, and introduce new client offerings. Moreover, it aims to generate €1 million in revenue for communities by the fourth quarter of 2024, leveraging the newly acquired funding.
