Being Colombian immigrants pursuing MBAs at Harvard, Stephanie Murra and Lorenza Vélez had a lightbulb moment while observing the predominantly Hispanic staff in their cafeteria. Conversations revealed a shared struggle among these legal migrants from Spanish-speaking countries: finding employment in the United States. The language barrier stood out as the major roadblock, preventing many from securing their first job on American soil.
Intrigued by this mismatch between willing workers and available jobs, Murra reflected on the prevalent labor shortage gripping various industries across the U.S. She highlighted how lower-skilled immigrant workers were particularly crucial for roles facing scarcity but often overlooked due to communication challenges.
Through informal chats, it became clear that traditional job boards like Indeed were failing to reach these potential candidates effectively. As Murra noted in an interview with TechCrunch, “Hispanic immigrants aren’t familiar with navigating English-centric platforms; they rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from friends.” This disconnect birthed an innovative solution: Ponte Labor.
Founded by Murra and Vélez during their final semester at Harvard Business School in April 2023, Ponte Labor emerged as a bridge between employers struggling to fill hourly positions in sectors like hospitality, construction, and retail, and Hispanic immigrants seeking stable work opportunities. With expertise gained from working together at Colombian fintech Addi, the duo leveraged their insights to address a pressing societal need.
Vélez emphasized Ponte’s unique approach of directly connecting verified hourly workers with employers through WhatsApp – a platform familiar and accessible to many immigrants. By sidestepping staffing agencies, Ponte not only streamlines the hiring process but also broadens the pool of job seekers for companies while offering desirable roles to documented immigrants.
“Employers…really struggle…while millions of work-authorized Hispanic immigrants struggle…”
The startup’s meticulous vetting process ensures legal compliance before candidates are introduced to prospective employers. Powered by an AI recruiter embedded within WhatsApp for seamless interactions, Ponte prioritizes personalized engagement tailored to each applicant’s preferences.
Initially focusing on catering to the hospitality sector exclusively, Ponte has cemented its presence by successfully placing hundreds of workers within months of launching its platform formally in November 2023. The exponential growth trajectory reflects in its burgeoning net revenue figures – soaring from $70,000 earlier this year to $550,000 presently.
Despite operating at a loss currently, Murra and Vélez remain optimistic about Ponte’s scalability owing to its lean operational structure. Their innovative revenue model ties fees directly to worker salaries over specific durations without burdening employers unnecessarily – reflecting a sustainable business ethos amid rapid expansion.
“That focus has helped us build deep trust with the community.”
Collaborating with prominent industry players such as Omni Hotels & Resorts underscores Ponte’s strategic positioning within the job market ecosystem. A recent injection of $3 million seed funding led by Harlem Capital further cements confidence in Ponte’s value proposition aimed at empowering Hispanic communities economically.
Henri Pierre-Jacques lauded Ponte’s inclusive vision towards aiding professional growth among Hispanic immigrants beyond just securing initial employment opportunities. By emphasizing skill development like English proficiency crucial for career advancement aspirations,
Pierre-Jacques recognized that Stephanie and Lorenza had tapped into an underserved niche within talent acquisition through integrating WhatsApp – a popular communication tool among Hispanics – into their recruitment strategy effectively “We have seen…Stephanie and Lorenza understood integrating recruiting workflow through WhatsApp was best.”
Looking ahead,
Murra remains focused on fostering an inclusive environment that transcends linguistic barriers,
echoing her commitment towards empowering diverse immigrant groups seamlessly.
Lorenza shares her sentiment,
envisioning
a future where cultural integration fosters economic prosperity
among marginalized communities.
With testimonials affirming
their impact
and industry accolades backing their journey,
the founders aim high,
seeking lasting change
within America’s workforce landscape.
By bridging gaps both digital
and cultural,
Ponte Labor emerges not just as a recruitment platform but as a symbol of hope
and opportunity for those striving
to carve out
a better tomorrow.
