About Handshake
Handshake is a company based in San Francisco (United States) founded in 2014 by Garrett Lord, Scott Ringwelski, and Ben Christensen. It operates as a Two-Sided Marketplace. Handshake has raised $434 million across 7 funding rounds from investors including Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners and The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Handshake has completed 1 acquisition, including TalentSpace. Handshake offers products and services including Handshake Platform, Employer Solutions, and Career Center Support. Handshake operates in a competitive market with competitors including WayUp, Glints, JobTeaser, Times Higher Education and Tyba, among others.
- Headquarter San Francisco, United States
- Founders Garrett Lord, Scott Ringwelski, Ben Christensen
- Stage Unicorn
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Sectors
Technology
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Email
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Phone
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Website
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Social
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Annual Revenue
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Net Profit
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EBITDA
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Total Equity Funding
$434 M (USD)
in 7 rounds
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Latest Funding Round
$200 M (USD), Series F
Jan 19, 2022
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Investors
Kleiner Perkins
& 16 more
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Employee Count
Employee Count
- Investments & Acquisitions
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Products & Services of Handshake
Handshake offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including Handshake Platform, Employer Solutions, and Career Center Support. The company's diverse product and service offerings are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers, address market demands, and provide comprehensive solutions that drive value creation and customer satisfaction across various segments and use cases.
A platform connecting students with early career opportunities.
Tools for employers to hire early career talent.
Resources for career centers to support student success.
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Product Management Team
27 people
Software Development Team
24 people
Leadership Team
21 people
Senior Team
17 people
Sales and Marketing
16 people
Finance and Accounting
6 people
Human Resources and Administration
4 people
Operations Team
4 people
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Funding Insights of Handshake
Handshake has successfully raised a total of $434M across 7 strategic funding rounds. The most recent funding activity was a Series F round of $200 million completed in January 2022. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.
- Total Funding Total Funding
- Total Rounds 7
- Last Round Series F — $200.0M
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First Round
First Round
(01 Mar 2015)
- Investors Count 17
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan, 2022 | Amount | Series F - Handshake | Valuation | Coatue | |
| May, 2021 | Amount | Series E - Handshake | Valuation | Lightspeed Venture Partners , Spark Capital | |
| Oct, 2020 | Amount | Series D - Handshake | Valuation | GGV Capital |
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
Investors in Handshake
Handshake has secured backing from 17 investors, including venture fund and institutional investors. Prominent investors backing the company include Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners and The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
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Provider of an investment platform for various stages
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Investments are managed by Base10 Partners in technology for the real economy, with operations in finance, food, retail, and related sectors.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital investing in innovative companies across global sectors is undertaken by Lightspeed Venture Partners.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
Investments & Acquisitions by Handshake
Handshake has strategically engaged in corporate development activities, having acquired 1 company. Notable acquisitions include TalentSpace. These strategic investments and acquisitions demonstrate the company's commitment to growth through portfolio expansion, market consolidation, technology integration, and strategic partnerships that enhance competitive positioning and drive long-term value creation.
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
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Bionic investment advisor platform
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2016 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
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2016 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
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2014 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
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2016 |
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
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Recruitment services are provided by TalentSpace for talent acquisition needs.
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2017 |
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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OVO is recognized as a smart digital payment application.
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2017 | ||||
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Bionic investment advisor platform
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2016 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
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2014 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
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2014 |
Financial Statements - Handshake
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
Handshake Comparisons
Competitors of Handshake
Handshake operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as WayUp, Glints, JobTeaser, Times Higher Education and Tyba, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.
| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Graduates are matched with entry-level jobs via an online platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Graduate jobs are matched via an online profile platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Graduates are connected to job opportunities via an online platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
University job search platform
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Junior Recruitment Solution
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| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.
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Latest news on Handshake
Frequently Asked Questions about Handshake
When was Handshake founded?
Handshake was founded in 2014 and raised its 1st funding round 1 year after it was founded.
Where is Handshake located?
Handshake is headquartered in San Francisco, United States. It is registered at San Francisco, California, United States.
Who is the current CEO of Handshake?
Garrett Lord is the current CEO of Handshake. They have also founded this company.
Is Handshake a funded company?
Handshake is a funded company, having raised a total of $434M across 7 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Series D of $80M, raised on Mar 01, 2015.
What does Handshake do?
A career social network is operated by Handshake, targeting Gen Z students seeking early career opportunities. Connections are facilitated between students, employers, and career centers across the United States. Solutions are offered for job seekers to find roles, for employers to hire talent, and for career centers to support students. Engagement is enhanced through events, online interactions, and direct messaging. Growth in job postings and student satisfaction is reported by schools using the platform.
Who are the top competitors of Handshake?
What products or services does Handshake offer?
Handshake offers Handshake Platform, Employer Solutions, and Career Center Support.
How many acquisitions has Handshake made?
Handshake has made 1 acquisition, including TalentSpace.
Who are Handshake's investors?
Handshake has 17 investors. Key investors include Kleiner Perkins, Lightspeed Venture Partners, The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Omidyar Network, and Coatue.
What is Handshake's valuation?
The valuation of Handshake is $3.5B as of Jan 2022.
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