Skillit

About Skillit

Skillit is a data-driven recruiting platform designed to address the skilled labor shortage in the construction industry. Founded in 2021 by Fraser Patterson, a former carpenter and general contractor, the company connects contractors with vetted, full-time craft workers across the United States. Patterson's firsthand experience with the difficulties of hiring skilled labor in his own construction businesses motivated him to create a technology-based solution. He realized that the core issue was a lack of digital infrastructure to make skilled workers discoverable.

The platform operates on a subscription-based model for employers, allowing contractors to access a growing network of qualified workers. For the craft workers, the platform is free. Skillit serves top ENR contractors and specialty trade partners, providing them with rich, data-driven profiles of workers across more than 35 trades. The company uses proprietary, trade-specific assessments to vet workers' skills, providing employers with confidence in their hiring decisions. Key features include "Sam," an AI assistant that automates interview scheduling, a map view to see candidate locations and commute times, and AI-driven pay guidance to help contractors make competitive offers.

Skillit has raised a total of $13.6 million in funding over two seed rounds. The first round in January 2023, led by Building Ventures, raised $5.1 million. A subsequent round in July 2023, led by MetaProp and Bow Capital, secured an additional $8.5 million. This funding is being used to expand into new markets, enhance product offerings, and grow the team. The platform has demonstrated significant growth, reporting a 540% increase in customers and a 1000% increase in skilled worker sign-ups year-over-year.