Hellohive, a resume and recruitment platform, is setting out to tackle hiring bias by creating a virtual community that brings together employers and job seekers.
The company is part of a growing number of resume and skill apps striving to combat discrimination in the hiring process. With Hellohive, candidates from underrepresented or marginalized backgrounds have the opportunity to connect with potential employers who they may not have otherwise had a chance to meet. Additionally, for employers, the platform allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of candidates beyond just their educational background or previous work experience, leading to a more diverse workforce.
Hellohive facilitates virtual networking programs between companies and candidates through its app. Some of its clients include major corporations like Goldman Sachs, American Express, and Morgan Stanley. The company recently announced a successful $3.4 million Series A round, with leading investment from the Tisch Family, to support its mission.
Byron Slosar, the founder of Hellohive, created the app in 2019 after a decade of experience in undergraduate career services and recruiting. In an interview with TechCrunch, Slosar explained his motivation for the app, stating, “I saw an opportunity for technology to level the playing field and give candidates from diverse backgrounds equal access to career success.” He believes that an individual’s success should not be determined by their connections or their educational background, and he is committed to providing equal opportunities to those willing to put in the effort.
“Fundraising is always a challenge,” Slosar shared, “but it also presents an opportunity to meet new people and form new connections.”
Hellohive’s holistic approach to hiring is particularly crucial at the moment, as companies are shifting their focus away from diversity, equality, and inclusion commitments.
The app offers coaching services to job candidates on creating a resume that will stand out to employers on the platform. Additionally, candidates undergo a course model that prepares them for the job application process. Once a candidate expresses interest in an employer on the app, the formal hiring process begins.
Dan Levine, who works with Tom Tisch at his family office, praised Hellohive’s technology, saying, “Hive’s technology unlocks a unique level of connectivity and understanding among all participants in the recruitment conversation, and not only modernizes but humanizes the recruitment process for all involved.”
The latest round of funding, led by the Tisch Family, also saw participation from The Pearl Fund and angel investors Ann Tenenbaum, Jeff Altman, and Robert Bell Wilkins. Slosar plans to use the capital to expand the executive team, improve the app’s technology, and bring on new clients. To date, the company has raised a total of $9 million in funding.
“I am eager to witness the impact that our all-inclusive, continually evolving, and self-identified approach to diversity will have on the world,” Slosar stated confidently.
