| Equals6 Technology Group | |
| Foundation: | Halifax, Canada (2011) |
| Founder: | Andy Osburn Mark Boyle Michael Sanderson |
| Area Served: | North America |
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.[1] [2]
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.[3]
IN January, 2011, Equals6 launched in the Sobey Lounge at Saint Mary's University[4] In February, 2011 E6 launched its Top-Talent Scholarship program.[5] with a speech by Andy Osburn, CEO.[5] 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.[6]
In 2013, Equals6 was selected for a Canadian government tech accelerator program.[7] [8]
In 2014, Equals6 conducted a survey about unpaid internships and publicized the results.[9] At that time, the service had about 100,000 users.[10]
In 2016, Equals6 was purchased by the executive search firm Venor.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
Beginning in 2011, Equals6 and several private industry partners have provided scholarships to high school and college/university student.s[5] 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.[5]
By March 2012 Equals6 had given out 50 scholarships worth almost $20,000.[14] [15] [16]