Member Article

App hooking graduates up with blue chip companies closes seven-figure seed round

London-based Debut, the student recruitment app, has closed a £1.7m seed funding round which included participation from some big names in venture capital.

The startup, which has now raised £2.2m since its launch 18 months ago, aims to put graduates in direct contact with big-name organisations and corporates through its recruitment app.

Already working with 40 of the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, including EY, Microsoft and Rolls-Royce, Debut’s app gives students the opportunity to learn about employers through features such as ‘A day in the life’, while employers are able to reach and target candidates directly through its platform.

Prospective candidates can be fast-tacked to assessment centres and invited to interviews through the app’s ‘Talent Spot’ feature, which Debut claims has sent more than 500,000 candidates for ‘exclusive career opportunities’.

Founder Charlie Taylor, who was listed as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 in Technology, commented: “We are very proud to support students in such a critical moment in their lives. Students can often face barriers when it comes to accessing career opportunities - but Debut is breaking these down as all they require is a phone and our free app.

“We are thrilled to have such experienced investors onboard and have ambitious plans to develop the product, expand the team and grow both our user base and client roster.”

Backing for its seed round has come from seed-focused VC LocalGlobe along with Intial Capital, Entree Capital and Indeed co-founder Paul Forster.

The new tranche of funding will be fed into further growing the list of ‘blue chip’ and high-growth businesses featured on the app, while furthering developing the psychometric tests embedded within the app which allow employers to test a candidate’s suitability.

Ophelia Brown, General Partner of LocalGlobe, commented: “Debut significantly expands the range and number of opportunities available to students during and after their university career. There is no other platform that gives so much help to students in understanding and finding the perfect role for them.

“For recruiters, Debut gives unprecedented access to students who previously they have not been able to access via traditional recruitment methods. We’re very excited to be Debut’s partner on their powerful mission.”

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