MANILA, Philippines - A Manila-based startup software company has raised some P83 million ($1.9 million) from global investors such as eBay founder Pierre Omidyar's Omidyar Network, Siemer Ventures, Learn Capital and Globe Telecom's Kickstart Ventures.
Kalibrr is offering an online recruitment and talent management platform, which its founders say will revolutionize how jobseekers and employers connect.
Omidyar Network, established by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pam, have made an investment in Kalibrr through its education initiative, but did not disclose the amount.
"Kalibrr's singular focus on unleashing the potential of the youth and job-seeking population in the Philippines by providing access to high-quality jobs is an effective way to transform and empower individuals and entire communities," Omidyar director for investments Mallika Singh said in a statement.
Globe Telecom's accelerator-incubator company Kickstart Ventures has also closed its second seed investment in Kalibrr.
"I think Kalibrr is worth the second round. We are investing in Kalibrr, and we think it's a good recognition of what they have accomplished in their first year. It is a commitment to see them grow in the coming years," Minette Navarrete, president of Kickstart Ventures, said.
Kalibrr is a cloud-based software which streamlines the recruitment process. Using advanced machine-learning algorithms and online assessments, Kalibrr matches jobseekers with their jobs based on the skills. It also makes it easier for companies and recruiters to find candidates with the proper skills needed for the job.
"We want to make the resume obsolete. The way we do that is we don't showcase what's on our resume, we showcase the skills that they are capable of," Kalibrr chief executive officer Paul Rivera said.
Kalibrr is eyeing business process outsourcing (BPO) companies as clients, especially as the industry is now facing a shortage in skilled workers.
Dexter Ligot-Gordon, Kalibrr chief operating officer, said they are now in talks with several BPO companies.
"We haven't disclosed yet but these are brands that you will recognize. We're signing up pilot beta customers. Once we complete the pilot, we will announce the results and companies we are working with," he said.
Rivera said the company's software would make it easier for BPOs to find applicants with the right skills for the job. And if the applicant does not have the skills yet, he can be referred to a training providers that can hone his skills for the job.
"Say if 20 apply, 2 are hired and 5 are almost there. They can benefit from training. Through Kalibrr they can referred to a training provider... We're starting to manage talent development through our website," Ligot-Gordon said.
"We're trying to build an entire ecosystem that connects the jobseeker to the emoployer and even connect the jobseeker to training intervention, if that's what they need to qualify for the job," Rivera added.
Asked if the company will expand to other industries aside from BPOs, Rivera said, "We want to expand after BPOs, but the challenges of BPOs are so large and nuemorous that we want to focus first on the industry."
Kalibrr was founded by Ligot-Gordon, a workforce development professional with 10 years experience in the US; Rivera, an ex-Googler and former founder of a BPO; Timothy Trutna, a former chief software architect with a US biotech company; and Danny Castonguay, an MIT graduate and former UP Diliman lecturer.
Kalibrr is the first startup from the Philippines to be accelerated by Silicon Valley-based Y Combinator.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
