Andre Peart spent five and a half years in a New York State prison, but couldn't find a job after his release.
That's one of the reasons Peart and his team decided to change their namefrom ConConnect to Untapped Solutionsto better reflect their new mission: " advancing impact through technology for all untapped communities," as Hypepotamus puts it.
The Atlanta-based startup started in 2020 as a LinkedIn-style platform for those who were formerly incarcerated and are now looking for jobs and resources.
It also helps parole and probation officers manage their caseload and find essential housing, education, counseling, and job placement services all in one place.
But as Hypepotamus notes, "the job search can be difficult for veterans, the unhoused, those experiencing domestic abuse, and others who are part of a protected or minority group."
So the team decided to create a "long-term solution" for all groups looking for a fresh start.
"We have the same vision and same mission," Peart tells Hypepotamus.
"We're advancing impact through technology for all untapped communities."
In addition to an equity-free investment of $150,000, Untapped will have access to Google mentorship, Google Cloud credits, and
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.