Singapore recruitment platform Sama nets $1.2m from Antler, others

Sama, a Singapore-based digital recruitment platform, announced that it has raised US$1.15 million in a seed round from venture capital firms Collaborative Fund, 3tvcp, and Antler, as well as angel investors such as Steve Melhuish, co-founder of PropertyGuru Group.

Sama team / Photo credit: Sama

Founded in April last year, the startup matches migrant workers to jobs through its digital platform, with an initial focus on serving construction workers in the city-state.

The platform collects and analyzes data points to find jobs based on the users’ skills and experience. By sending a message to Sama on WhatsApp, they can start the sign-up process, including uploading identification documents, training certificates, and proof of prior work history. Workers will then be matched with jobs at companies that also use the platform.

According to a statement, the startup has obtained a license from the Ministry of Manpower earlier this year, enabling it to work directly with companies to address their hiring needs.

Due to various middlement and outdated processes, workers currently pay up to S$10,000 (US$7,228) in agent fees to secure a job in Singapore, according to Sama. With a team of five, the startup aims to lower these fees through technology.

“We see migrant workers traveling to and from construction sites in Singapore daily. They and their families are at the bottom of the pyramid,” said Melhuish. “Despite this, many pay up to nine months’ salary in commissions to middlemen to secure their jobs. Sama aims to stop this and ensure they get a fair deal.”

Currency converted from Singapore dollar to US dollar: US$1 = S$1.38.