A smart idea to connect job-seeking students with their ideal employers has led to a Victoria Business School student establishing and running a start-up company.

Start-up puts students and employers on the same page

A smart idea to connect job-seeking students with their ideal employers has led to a Victoria Business School student establishing and running a start-up company.

Stephanie Benseman, who is studying management and information systems, met Stacey Fairclough and Heidi Strajnar when she signed up for entrepreneurial accelerator programme Venture Up last year.

It was during the programme that they turned their brainstorm into the business Filtr, an online matchmaking platform for tertiary students and businesses.

"After a lot of research, we realised that many students graduate with fantastic talent and personalities but miss out on the chance to secure their ideal employment because their grades may not reflect what they’re capable of, or they may not have the right connections," says Stephanie.

"We also identified problems that some businesses face during recruitment—finding the right personality, team-fit and way of thinking."

Instead of the traditional CV, Filtr incorporates video applications which cover a mix of both practical and personality-based questions.

"Although experience is a key factor, we're also looking for personalities to click and relationships to form," says Stephanie.

"Students sign up and can apply for jobs advertised by companies on the platform, then the companies are supplied with the most ideal candidates for their position using our internal filtering process."

The three members of the group, who manage Filtr between them part-time, have received ongoing help from the Venture Up programme.

"We're lucky to get advice about running our company from a huge list of mentors, and long-term support from Creative HQ which runs Venture Up," says Stephanie.

"The programme also connected us with Touchtech, which is currently building our mobile application."

Stephanie, who also works as an intern for Venture Up through the Young Enterprise Trust, says the programme is an ideal way to introduce youth to entrepreneurship.

"Over six weeks you learn the methodologies, lingo, and theory crucial to beginning a start-up, along with practical experience and networking opportunities. Many others and I agree that it is the best business accelerator programme for youth."

With support from Victoria University and Wellington City Council, Venture Up is currently being held for the second time at Victoria's Te Aro Campus. The 38 participants, aged between 16 and 21 years old, will pitch their ideas at a final showcase event in February.

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