Propel, a Nigerian HR tech startup, has recently secured an impressive $2.74 million (€2.5 million) in seed funding to propel the adoption and expansion of its groundbreaking community-as-a-service platform. No Such Ventures spearheaded the funding round, joined by APX, Golden Egg Check, and Future of Learning Fund.
Established in 2020 by Sunkanmi Ola, Seun Owolabi, and Abel Agoi, Propel focuses on assisting multinational corporations in navigating the challenges of hiring remote workers from emerging markets, with a specific emphasis on Africa. Understanding the vital role of communities in the tech ecosystem, particularly in emerging markets, Propel has built its foundation upon a community-centered approach.
Ola explained to TechCrunch that while many tech communities concentrate on expanding their talent pools and enhancing members’ skills, they often struggle to connect these talented individuals with suitable job opportunities. This is where Propel steps in, acting as a talent pipeline by bridging tech communities with a network of companies that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and have specific job openings.
By harnessing the diverse talent pools within these tech communities, encompassing various skill sets such as software development, design, data science, no-code solutions, and other digital transformation skills, Propel offers essential infrastructure while enabling global companies to tap into this talent pool through its unique “community-as-a-service” business model.
In addition to employment prospects, tech talents from these communities can also access workstations, healthcare services, and potentially financial services like loans and asset financing in the future.
With offices in Berlin, Lagos, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, London, and Nairobi, Propel has already successfully recruited over 550 professionals for diverse roles. The company’s plans include expanding its community ecosystem, scaling its community platform, and introducing new client offerings. Furthermore, it aims to generate €1 million in revenue for communities by the fourth quarter of 2024, leveraging its newly acquired funding.
