New start-up business,The University Draft (Udrafter), has secured £150,000 seed investment from Aberdeen Business Angels to expand operations in Scotland.
The on demand and real time student work experience app provides approved businesses with a platform to post one-off jobs or bite size projects to be completed by skilled students within hours, even minutes.
Developed by brothers Daryll and Luke Morrow in June 2017, the duo spotted a gap in the market after facing frustrations with the lack of access to flexible and paid work experience opportunities. Boosted with the support of Elevator’s 12-week accelerator programme, designed to maximise business potential, the company has since spent two months on Robert Gordon University’s Start-Up Accelerator to develop its launch strategy.
Daryll, Managing Director of Udrafter, said: “In 2018, The Graduate Market reported that more than a third of recruiters from the Top 100 UK graduate employers stated that those who have no previous work experience are unlikely to be successful during the selection process for their graduate programmes.
“We firmly believe there is a real gap in the market for our expertise. It is the right time for us to deliver. Udrafter bridges the transitional skills gap between education and the work place by giving students an opportunity to taste the world of work, before they have even graduated. Businesses benefit by having direct access to student talent without the expense of hiring a full-time employee.
“The investment and expertise we are receiving is game changing for the business, it will allow us to scale our proven concept across Scotland and the UK. We are really looking forward to providing value to students who need vital work experience to transition into the work place.”
Udrafter’s seed investment round was led by successful entrepreneur and current Chairman of Ecosse IP Mike Wilson, and former partner of EY and Chartered Accountant Alec Carstairs. Commenting Wilson said: “I’m very enthusiastic about the prospects for this business. What is really great is that businesses get to look at the next crop of talent while they perform real jobs and vice versa. The team is hugely talented, bubbling with enthusiasm and has a product ready to deliver huge benefits to both employers and students.”
The start-up has also attracted interest from Etiom Events, the north-east’s largest owner operator of public facing events. They see benefits in Udrafter to access student talent via a technology driven platform.
