TAP, a Palestinian-Dutch startup, has secured $1 million in investment to advance its AI-powered job-hunting platform. The funding round was led by Invest International in the Netherlands, alongside contributions from impact angel investors.
Founded in 2018 by Jafar Shunnar and Christian Vezjak, TAP began as a mission to create jobs in Gaza. It has since evolved into a scalable tech platform to empower underserved youth in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon to build meaningful careers without leaving their countries.
“This is more than job creation—it’s about empowering individuals and transforming communities,” said Jafar, co-founder and CTO of TAP. The startup’s AI-driven platform connects youth with global mentors, personalized coaching, and innovative tools, helping them take charge of their job searches.
In 2023, TAP created over 100 remote jobs across the Middle East, doubling the previous year’s figure. Now, with its next-generation platform set to launch in early 2025, TAP aims to generate 1,000 jobs next year.
Despite the challenges of operating in volatile environments like Gaza, TAP has become a grassroots movement for economic resilience. The company has onboarded over 1,000 global mentors, fostering a network committed to empowering youth and addressing systemic inequalities.
“This isn’t just about jobs,” said Christian, TAP’s CEO. “It’s about standing up for what’s right and creating opportunities where none existed before.”
With this funding, TAP is poised to expand its impact and set a new standard for scalable job creation in the region.
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