1848 Ventures Secures $3 Million in Seed Funding for Propel People’s Innovative Recruitment Platform
On July 22, 2025, 1848 Ventures announced a significant milestone in the realm of construction technology. The venture studio led a successful $3 million seed funding round for Propel People, an innovative hiring platform designed specifically for the skilled trades. This investment not only underscores the growing importance of technology in the construction sector but also highlights Dexter Bachelder, a veteran in construction tech, who steps in as the new CEO of Propel People.
With a staggering 94% of contractors facing challenges to find skilled workers, and a whopping $20 billion lost annually due to labor shortages, Propel People is developing a solution to enhance the recruitment process in the construction industry. The platform focuses on AI-powered features to streamline hiring processes—applying smart candidate ranking, instant screening, and efficient SMS engagement tools—all adapted for contractors who typically operate in the field.
Kal Amin, Managing Partner at 1848 Ventures, emphasized the urgency of tackling labor shortages, calling it the primary threat to the growth and profitability of construction firms. He stated, "Propel People was designed from the ground up to solve hiring issues in the trades. By harnessing AI, we wish to redefine hiring standards, allowing for a seamless experience for contractors seeking talent. With Dexter leading the charge, we anticipate Propel People will usher in a new era of innovation in recruitment within skilled trades."
Central to Propel People’s functionality is its ProScore engine, which quickly ranks job applicants based on their skills and fit for the job. This system integrates two-way text communication to heighten response rates and facilitates prescreening. Moreover, the platform is designed to be bilingual, ensuring inclusivity for Spanish-speaking candidates and teams—an essential feature in today’s diverse workforce.
Bachelder, who brings over 25 years of rich experience with SaaS, AI, and construction technology, is poised to propel Propel People forward. His extensive track record includes leadership positions at notable firms such as Aconex, Command Alkon, and Togal.AI. Reflecting on his new role, Bachelder stated, "Resolving the skilled labor shortage is not just an industry challenge but presents a tremendous opportunity. Contractors who need to hire quality people to complete their projects are experiencing a massive deficit, with more than 500,000 skilled workers needed at present to meet demand. Traditional hiring methods often miss the mark—they neglect how construction operates in real time. Propel People aims to address these inadequacies head-on, allowing contractors to build their teams more effectively while they are on the go."
The financial backing from 1848 Ventures is a strategic move to bolster Propel People's growth initiatives. The investment is earmarked for accelerating product development, expanding engineering resources, and enhancing go-to-market strategies, allowing Propel People to penetrate key contractor markets across the United States.
This latest funding round exemplifies 1848 Ventures' commitment to nurturing innovative, AI-native software solutions permanently poised to address the pressing pain points experienced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Propel People is a prime example of how 1848 Ventures is focusing on building vertical SaaS ventures to transform neglected sectors of the economy. For more information on Propel People, you can visit propelpeople.ai and to learn more about 1848 Ventures, visit 1848ventures.com.
In conclusion, the partnership between 1848 Ventures and Propel People signifies a forward-thinking initiative targeting labor shortages through intelligent technology. As the construction industry continues to evolve, the integration of AI solutions will be crucial in meeting the demand for skilled labor while enhancing workplace efficiency.
With a staggering 94% of contractors facing challenges to find skilled workers, and a whopping $20 billion lost annually due to labor shortages, Propel People is developing a solution to enhance the recruitment process in the construction industry. The platform focuses on AI-powered features to streamline hiring processes—applying smart candidate ranking, instant screening, and efficient SMS engagement tools—all adapted for contractors who typically operate in the field.
Kal Amin, Managing Partner at 1848 Ventures, emphasized the urgency of tackling labor shortages, calling it the primary threat to the growth and profitability of construction firms. He stated, "Propel People was designed from the ground up to solve hiring issues in the trades. By harnessing AI, we wish to redefine hiring standards, allowing for a seamless experience for contractors seeking talent. With Dexter leading the charge, we anticipate Propel People will usher in a new era of innovation in recruitment within skilled trades."
Central to Propel People’s functionality is its ProScore engine, which quickly ranks job applicants based on their skills and fit for the job. This system integrates two-way text communication to heighten response rates and facilitates prescreening. Moreover, the platform is designed to be bilingual, ensuring inclusivity for Spanish-speaking candidates and teams—an essential feature in today’s diverse workforce.
Bachelder, who brings over 25 years of rich experience with SaaS, AI, and construction technology, is poised to propel Propel People forward. His extensive track record includes leadership positions at notable firms such as Aconex, Command Alkon, and Togal.AI. Reflecting on his new role, Bachelder stated, "Resolving the skilled labor shortage is not just an industry challenge but presents a tremendous opportunity. Contractors who need to hire quality people to complete their projects are experiencing a massive deficit, with more than 500,000 skilled workers needed at present to meet demand. Traditional hiring methods often miss the mark—they neglect how construction operates in real time. Propel People aims to address these inadequacies head-on, allowing contractors to build their teams more effectively while they are on the go."
The financial backing from 1848 Ventures is a strategic move to bolster Propel People's growth initiatives. The investment is earmarked for accelerating product development, expanding engineering resources, and enhancing go-to-market strategies, allowing Propel People to penetrate key contractor markets across the United States.
This latest funding round exemplifies 1848 Ventures' commitment to nurturing innovative, AI-native software solutions permanently poised to address the pressing pain points experienced by small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Propel People is a prime example of how 1848 Ventures is focusing on building vertical SaaS ventures to transform neglected sectors of the economy. For more information on Propel People, you can visit propelpeople.ai and to learn more about 1848 Ventures, visit 1848ventures.com.
In conclusion, the partnership between 1848 Ventures and Propel People signifies a forward-thinking initiative targeting labor shortages through intelligent technology. As the construction industry continues to evolve, the integration of AI solutions will be crucial in meeting the demand for skilled labor while enhancing workplace efficiency.
Topics Business Technology）
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