Founded in 2018 by Christiaan van den Berg and Heine Bellingan, JOBJACK is a web-based platform that is free for job seekers seeking entry-level positions. It assists job seekers in creating their CVs and applying for jobs directly from their mobile phones, currently offering data-free access for MTN and Vodacom network users.
The startup has attracted nearly two million job seekers to its platform, with an additional 2,000 registering daily. They have secured ZAR45 million (equivalent to US$2.5 million) in funding to expand their operations and enhance their network in South Africa, with a focus on connecting job seekers to life-changing job opportunities. The funding round was led by NEXT176 and included the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
co-founder and co-CEO of JOBJACK, expressed that these funds will help the company continue its efforts to onboard employers and make entry-level recruitment more efficient and accessible for those job seekers who need it the most.
Ona Meyer, the program manager for youth employment at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, emphasized their investment in companies that create innovations to provide job opportunities for unemployed South Africans, enabling them to support their families. This partnership will allow JOBJACK to expand its current response plan, streamline the recruitment process, and improve access and affordability for job seekers looking to enter the entry-level job market. They are encouraged by JOBJACK’s business model and its growth trajectory in serving this demographic.