News Summary
Propel People, a new hiring platform based in Ohio, has raised $3 million in seed funding to transform how construction contractors hire skilled workers. Led by 1848 Ventures, the funding aims to enhance product development and marketing efforts. With features like smart candidate ranking and bilingual SMS engagement, Propel People addresses the pressing labor shortages in the construction industry, empowering contractors to efficiently find and hire qualified talent.
Propel People Raises $3 Million to Transform Construction Hiring
Propel People, an innovative hiring platform that uses artificial intelligence, has successfully secured $3 million in seed funding as of July 2025. Based in Westfield Center, Ohio, this mobile-first platform is specifically designed to meet the hiring needs of contractors within the construction industry.
The recent funding round was spearheaded by 1848 Ventures, a venture studio focused on artificial intelligence technologies. 1848 Ventures aims to empower small and medium-sized business (SMB)-centric startups that utilize software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions, and is backed by Westfield, a significant player in the funding space.
With the newly acquired funds, Propel People plans to accelerate its product development and expand its engineering and go-to-market teams, paving the way for entry into significant contractor markets across the United States. The platform is designed to tackle a pressing issue— the skilled labor shortage in the construction sector, where approximately 94% of contractors report difficulties in finding skilled workers. Current estimates suggest that this shortage results in a staggering $20 billion in lost revenue annually.
Innovative Features Enhancing the Hiring Process
Propel People’s platform stands out with several innovative features aimed at simplifying the hiring process for contractors. For example, it utilizes a smart candidate ranking system, which ranks job applicants in real-time, along with instant screening capabilities. Furthermore, the platform includes bilingual SMS engagement by default, making it accessible for both Spanish-speaking users and contractors who may be working in field settings.
One of the key technologies powering Propel People is the proprietary ProScore engine, which facilitates the instantaneous ranking of applicants. To improve engagement and response rates from candidates, the platform integrates high-engagement SMS tools that also assist with pre-screening processes, making it easier and faster for contractors to connect with potential hires.
Leadership and Vision
To lead this innovative venture, Propel People has appointed Dexter Bachelder as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). With over 25 years of experience in the fields of SaaS and construction technology, Bachelder brings valuable expertise from his previous leadership roles at various industry-related companies, including Aconex, Command Alkon, and Togal.AI. His leadership is expected to drive the promise of transforming the hiring landscape for contractors, focusing on creating effective teams quickly and efficiently.
The funding raised by Propel People underlines 1848 Ventures’ commitment to transforming industries dominated by SMBs through highly efficient and innovative AI-native SaaS solutions. As the construction industry faces critical challenges in hiring skilled workers, solutions like those offered by Propel People are set to make significant strides in improving hiring processes and ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of construction teams across the market.
A Bright Future on the Horizon
As Propel People moves ahead, it aims to leverage these recent developments to not just fill gaps in contractor hiring practices but also to contribute positively to resolving the larger issue of skilled labor shortages in the construction sector. The combination of AI-powered technology and a user-friendly mobile interface positions Propel People as a forward-thinking platform ready to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry.
With the ongoing challenges in securing skilled labor, contractors are likely to see Propel People as a viable solution to streamline their hiring processes, ultimately enabling them to build efficient and effective teams in a faster and more reliable manner.
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Additional Resources
- The SaaS News: Propel People Secures $3 Million in Seed Round
- PR Newswire: 1848 Ventures Leads $3M Seed Round for Propel People
- ESPN: Truth-Telling Loss to Michigan Continues to Fuel Ohio State
- Wikipedia: Construction Industry
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction
