Home From College Lands $5.4M in Seed Round to Empower Gen Z with Career Matching Platform
Home From College, a career platform targeting Gen Z for flexible job opportunities, announced a $5.4 million seed round led by GV. Founded by Julia Haber and Kaj Zandvliet in 2021, the platform caters to students and young professionals seeking part-time jobs, internships, or freelance gigs. The platform boasts listings from renowned brands and aims to disrupt traditional job searches by offering gigs that align with Gen Z’s lifestyle and career goals. Key features include a Gig marketplace, an interview segment for better brand interaction, and a resume studio to assist in professional presentation. With over 100,000 users, Home From College seeks to bridge the gap between Gen Z talent and companies, emphasizing paid opportunities and flexible work environments.
In a significant move towards redefining the career landscape for Generation Z, Home From College, a pioneering career platform tailored for young professionals and college students, has successfully closed a $5.4 million seed funding round. The investment was led by GV (formerly Google Ventures), marking a substantial vote of confidence in the platform’s innovative approach to job searching and career development for the freelance generation.
Founded in Los Angeles in 2021 by Julia Haber and Kaj Zandvliet, Home From College has quickly distinguished itself as a vital resource for Gen Z individuals navigating the early stages of their careers. The platform uniquely blends the traditional job search with the gig economy’s flexibility, offering a wide array of opportunities ranging from part-time roles and internships to freelance gigs and long-term positions.
The fresh injection of capital will be instrumental in expanding the platform’s flagship offering, “Gig,” a comprehensive marketplace where companies can list diverse job opportunities. This feature aims to democratize access to top-tier job listings from renowned brands such as Poppi, Aquaphor, Burt’s Bees, Nivea, Urban Decay, Thrive Market, Peacock, and Steve Madden, among others.
Home From College’s inception was inspired by the challenges and aspirations voiced by students during events hosted by WAYV, a marketing company also founded by Haber that specialized in creating branded experiences on college campuses. The platform seeks to address the growing concern among Gen Z about the alignment of their college majors with their career aspirations and the daunting prospect of unemployment post-graduation.
Highlighting the platform’s commitment to offering valuable and compensated work experiences, Julia Haber emphasized that all gigs on Home From College are paid, ensuring that the opportunities presented are both meaningful and respectful of the students’ time and talents. This approach not only caters to the immediate financial needs of young professionals but also enriches their resumes with substantive experience, setting them apart in the competitive job market.
With its user base exceeding 100,000, Home From College has facilitated thousands of hires, reflecting its effectiveness in connecting Gen Z talents with meaningful career opportunities. The platform not only provides a bridge between young professionals and companies but also champions the flexibility and creativity that define the career aspirations of the freelance generation.
As Home From College looks to broaden its product offerings and further its mission of revolutionizing the job search experience for Gen Z, this seed funding round represents a critical milestone in its journey. With GV’s backing, the platform is well-positioned to scale its impact, making the gig economy more accessible and appealing to the next generation of professionals.
