Welcome to the third episode of the Elevator Pitch series 5!
Every week we publish a 30-second pitch from our Elevator Pitch winners.
These startups, chosen by a panel of expert judges for their potential to change the world, join an alumni group that includes the likes of YPlan, Hassle, import.io and Glow, and have to-date raised more than $86m.
In this series we took the founders on a ride unlike any other for the most exciting pitch of their lives.
Fighting off recruiters
Flagd is a platform that enables freelancers to flag their availability for work.
As a long-time front-end freelancer CEO Dave McMillan was all too familiar with looking around for the next contract, but was also feeling the pressure when he listed his CV on a job site and the calls starting flooding in.
Traditional jobs platforms don’t let you say whether you’re busy or not, once you’re listed your details can pretty much end up on a database anywhere, and usually they fall into the hands of a recruiter who’s just looking for their next catch.
Dating site for freelancers
In much the same way as listing your relationship status on Facebook, the team of five, which also includes CTO Luke Siedle, community manager Candice McMillan, marketing advisor Joe Sharp and financial advisor Garrett Casey set to work on helping freelancers ensure they only get a call when they’re actually looking.
And with Flagd, when you’re not available, you aren’t searchable.
The future of work
Not only is Flagd about being right place, right time for freelancers looking for their next job, it’s the right place, right time for Flagd if the increase in freelance work continues.
The company has at first been focused on the industries it knows, IT and creative, but has its eyes on financial and construction too.
The team, currently bootstrapping their venture while working by day running Lab19 Digital, has been invited on Web Summit’s Beta programme to exhibit at the conference in November.
They have been working on their product since January, will be inviting more feedback at the event in Dublin and will continue adding more features – so expect to hear more from these guys – and maybe you’ll be flagd for your next job.
The Elevator Pitch is gratefully sponsored by KPMG, Knight Frank, Natwest, Taylor Wessing, Propel London and Lendinvest