Estonian startup Jobbatical raises USD4 million in a funding round

Jobbatical, a platform that connects globetrotting talent to tech companies in many of the world’s most desirable and far-flung cities, has closed a USD4 million series A funding round, bringing the company’s funding to USD7.9 million.

The funding round was led by Japan-based Mistletoe Inc., along with Union Square Ventures, AirTree Ventures and Tera Ventures, the company announced.

This funding round will help Jobbatical expand its efforts with business partners in the Asia-Pacific region, a market primed for job growth and entrepreneurship. In 2017 alone, four out of the top ten countries for Jobbatical campaigns were from APAC, and seven of the top 20 have been from APAC region.

With a mission to build a leading global marketplace for worldwide career adventures, the Tallinn-headquartered Jobbatical matches the skillset and travel aspirations of tech and startup professionals with companies in search of world class talent.

Innovation hubs

Jobbatical said it has dedicated investors from all over the world who believe in the company’s vision for the global workforce. “As global talent crises threaten to put USD10 trillion at risk in the world economy by 2030, Jobbatical is working with investors to solve perceived shortages and surpluses,” the company said.

Skill-based workers in software engineering, marketing and creative roles have traditionally flocked to hubs like Silicon Valley, New York, and London, but according to Jobbatical, that’s changing. “There is a noticeable gap in the disbursement of talent, leading to talent surplus in these areas and talent shortage in many other cities around the world,” the company said. “Jobbatical is helping cities like Lisbon, Tokyo, and Tallinn build their own innovation hubs by removing geographical bias from hiring decisions and giving talent access to positions in these areas.”

Jobbatical was founded in Tallinn 2014.

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Cover: Jobbatical’s team in Malaysia in 2016 (Jobbatical.)