When Tim Winkler launched Hatchpad, a platform to help software engineers find gigs with local startups, coronavirus was looming.
Then the pandemic paused hiring for many, and forced event cancellations and shelter-in-place orders that sent events virtual.
Hatchpad, though, was seeing traction. Already, the site has about 50 startups using it, including DivvyCloud, IronNet Security, GetUpside, ICX Media, Pilleve and Deepsig. The searchable database, for both tech events and work opportunities, caters to product startups and the people with skills to develop them. It comes from Vienna-based Hatch IT — a 9-year-old, 10-person recruiting firm for startups.
“We wanted to make something that was able to be searchable by region, by tech stack, and highlight some specifics from the technical leadership of these companies,” Winkler said.
The team is now working toward debuting a new version of the site by November, with more resources on products, startups and jobs, Winkler said. It’s also working with coding schools such as General Assembly to showcase their alumni and projects. And in the interest of facilitating diversity and inclusion on the site, Winkler said it has recently teamed up with Black Code Collective and Diversify Tech to interview and showcase the people behind the code.
The service is free to both the startups and individual users, but could serve as a funnel for future business at Hatch IT, Winkler said. “Our only ask is that down the line, if it becomes an avenue where you’re looking to take your hiring to another level, we’re a company that can satisfy that with our subscription programs.”
Editor’s Note: This story first appeared in the Washington Business Journal. It appears here in an abbreviated format. See the original post here.
