Startup Pays Graduates to Hunt Jobs, Raises £300k Through Crowdfunding Effort

JobLab’s Crowdcube Campaign Hits the Bullseye (and the Bank)

London’s latest recruitment hackathon, JobLab, wrapped up its latest crowdfund with a whopping £303,960—that’s a solid 151% of its original target. The start‑up crossed the £200,000 mark in just two days after opening up the investment round on Crowdcube.

What the Deal Is About

JobLab’s on‑platform currency is

Convertible – you can swap your tokens for cash, Bitcoin, or Ethereum.
Designed to boost engagement among its 32,000 members.
Members showcase themselves with “video cover letters” and chat directly with hiring managers.

It’s a fresh take on the hiring dance that’s been stuck in a stale, grindy “resume‑centric” routine.

Who’s Backing the Bargain?

The latest round drew the hard‑hat of PureGym founder Peter Roberts and the endorsement of former UCAS CEO Mary Curnock‑Cook. They’re saying “Y’all do this right, keep it rolling.”

Inside the Back‑End of the Boom

Aidan Cramer, co‑founder and CEO, let us in on the low‑down:

“We’re thrilled to hit our stretch target of £300,000.”
He plans to feed that money into platform upgrades, team expansion, and ultimately a smoother experience for the millions of young people and start‑ups relying on JobLab.
He added with a grin: “Those in our community now own a slice of the pie—no more sitting on the sidelines. We built this because traditional recruitment was failing fresh grads.”

Investor Insight – The Winning Eye

Peter Roberts, the lead investor, told us:

“New businesses that pick up market share are about aligning everyone to get net positive value.”
He frames JobLab as a win‑win for employers, candidates, and the business itself—and yes, also the investors (nice touch!).
“I know a winner when I see one.”

Why It Matters

JobLab is turning the traditional hiring sprint on its head—ushering in gig‑style videos, token economics, and a community vibe that’s less “you need to look professional” and more “show us what you’re made of.” The extra cash means they can keep shipping the new features that make doing a job hunt feel less like a chore and more like a career sprint.