Equals6 Technology Group is a Canadian company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and was founded in 2011 by Andy Osburn and Mark Boyle with technology entrepreneur Michael Sanderson."Startup site powers students network". Business Herald. By BRETT BUNDALE March 8, 2012 Techvibes Newsdesk (May 8, 2012), "Canada's Equals6 Raises $250,000 from Innovacorp", "Techvibes", Retrieved May 11, 2012
Its product, Equals6.com, a student professional network, combines the features of Social media with the objective of helping students gain entry-level employment. Equals6, also referred to as E6, is a helps students connect to employers and access employment information and resources.
The company name is derived from the notion that with the right ingenuity two plus two can equal six.Peter (May 8, 2012), "Equals6 Lands Innovacorp Funding" , "Entrevestor", Retrieved May 11, 2012
History
IN January, 2011, Equals6 launched in the Sobey Lounge at Saint Mary's University In February, 2011 E6 launched its Top-Talent Scholarship program.Admin (February 28th, 2011), , "TechEast", Retrieved May 11, 2012 with a speech by Andy Osburn, CEO. By March, 2012, the company was providing services to 10,000 student users. In May, 2012 Equals6 secured a $250,000 venture capital investment from Innovacorp.. Venture Capital News, May 11th, 2012
In 2013, Equals6 was selected for a Canadian government tech accelerator program."Feds launch tech accelerators for Canadian start-ups in Boston, New York City " . Jeff Jedras, ITBusiness, March 12th, 2013."Halifax firms land in incubator". y COLLEEN COSGROVE Business Reporter, March 12, 2013
In 2014, Equals6 conducted a survey about unpaid internships and publicized the results.Brooks, Patricia. "Equals6 questions unpaid internships, asks students about wages". Chronicle Herald. At that time, the service had about 100,000 users."ENTREVESTOR: Global firm buys SecureReset of Halifax". Chronicle Herald, PETER MOREIRA November 25, 2015
In 2016, Equals6 was purchased by the executive search firm Venor."ENTREVESTOR: Venor doubles down on social network". Chronicle Herald, Peter Moreira, April 27, 2016
Services
For Students
The Equals6 site is free to students. Once registered, a student can build an on-line portfolio, connect with students, educators and organizations, find and apply for Equals6 and other scholarships, connect with job and talent recruiters, join groups based upon academic and career interests.TechNews (May 9, 2012), "Innovacorp Invests in Equals6" , TechNews, Retrieved May 11, 2012
For Employers
Equals6.com was built for employers to identify and recruit students and recent graduates with appropriate skills, while allowing students to learn about companies and other employing organizations."Harness the crowd, social entrepreneur says" . UNews, Carlie Connolly January 30, 2014,
Scholarships
Beginning in 2011, Equals6 and several private industry partners have provided scholarships to high school and college/university student.s Top Talent Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, community citizenship, and Equals6 network participation. The scholarship award winners are chosen by the Equals6 Advisory Board and companies offering scholarships.
By March 2012 Equals6 had given out 50 scholarships worth almost $20,000.Bundale, Brett (March 8, 2012), "Halifax Startup Equals6 Helps Students Network with Future Employers", TechVibes, Retrieved May 11, 2012 "Equals6 Social Network for Students Is Hottest Showcasing Startup in Boston" . Tech.co. December 6, 2012 Equals6 Secures $250KVC News Daily
References
External links
Official Website