CareerFairy Raises €3.5 Million to Reshape Gen Z Recruitment in DACH Region

CareerFairy, a Zurich-based video recruiting platform tailored for Generation Z, has secured a substantial investment of €3.5 million, marking its largest funding round yet. This infusion of capital is earmarked for the platform’s expansion across the DACH region and the Benelux countries, as well as for bolstering its product lineup. Mediahuis, a prominent European media group, leads this investment round.

Founded in 2019 by Thomas Schulz and Maximilian Voss, CareerFairy was conceived to guide students through their initial job searches. The platform has since burgeoned, establishing offices in Zurich, Berlin, Utrecht, and Lisbon. With a clientele including KPMG, Beiersdorf, L’Oréal, and BMW Group, CareerFairy has cemented its presence in connecting university graduates with esteemed companies.

Thomas Schulz, CEO and co-founder of CareerFairy, expressed confidence in their business model’s significance, emphasizing a strategic focus on expanding further into the German market. Notably, established entities like the Lufthansa Group and Dr. Oetker have joined CareerFairy as investors in this pivotal financing round.

Schulz outlined the platform’s mission, stating, “We aim to revolutionize outdated recruitment norms, catering to the needs of the well-educated Generation Z. Traditional job portals fall short for this demographic. We seek to offer authentic insights into roles, corporate cultures, and colleagues to prevent mismatches.”

Expanding its offerings, CareerFairy recently introduced “Sparks,” short videos reminiscent of TikTok, augmenting its product suite. Alongside Mediahuis, the platform garners support from investors such as Swiss Post Ventures, Backbone Ventures, as well as business angels from SICITIC, Start Angels, and Business Angels Switzerland.

Patrick De Wachter, Business Development Director at Mediahuis Marketplaces, highlighted the platform’s modern approach: “CareerFairy aligns with modern communication preferences, leveraging video content for recruitment—a trend observed among the younger workforce seeking international opportunities.”

Employing elements akin to social media, CareerFairy introduces a novel approach to job applications, resonating with the tech-savvy Gen Z. Livestreams and interactive sessions allow graduates to engage with companies authentically, transcending conventional job interview constraints.

CareerFairy not only fortifies companies’ employer branding and early student engagement but also streamlines the application process, granting access to a pool of university graduates that was previously challenging to reach. This innovative platform stands at the forefront, bridging the gap between employers and the next generation of talent.