Subul secures $228,000 to empower refugee tech talent
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS — Subul, a social enterprise headquartered in The Hague, has secured a €200,000 (approximately $228,000) investment from the Netherlands-based Start Foundation to accelerate its mission of connecting skilled refugees and disadvantaged individuals with global tech jobs.
Founded by Syrian refugees Khaled Shaaban and Ousama Sulaiman, Subul specializes in impact outsourcing and recruitment, focusing on providing dignified employment for those often excluded from traditional labor markets.
Since its inception, Subul has placed over 600 tech professionals from refugee communities into roles across Europe, leveraging their expertise to create economic inclusion and social transformation.
The company operates primarily in the Middle East and Europe, serving both local and international tech businesses seeking diverse, skilled talent.
AI-powered platform to transform recruitment
With the new investment, Subul is set to launch an AI-driven recruitment platform designed to streamline tech hiring for businesses worldwide. This innovation aims to deliver a one-day hiring solution, making recruitment more efficient and inclusive by directly connecting highly skilled refugee tech talent to global market demand.
Subul’s services include:
- Recruiting and outsourcing skilled tech professionals from refugee and disadvantaged backgrounds
- Providing businesses with vetted, diverse talent pools
- Supporting economic empowerment and social mobility in underserved communities
Reflecting on the partnership, Subul founder Khaled Shaaban said, “This partnership reflects two things that deeply moved me. First, the openness and inclusivity of the Dutch ecosystem… Second, it is a testament to what I call ‘smart impact investing.’ Instead of imposing rigid expectations, Start Foundation stood by us unconditionally, providing the trust and resources we needed to reach this stage.”
Start Foundation: Championing inclusive workforces
Start Foundation, a nonprofit with over 25 years of experience, is dedicated to breaking down barriers to employment for marginalized groups. The foundation supports innovative initiatives that foster sustainable work opportunities, with a special focus on individuals who face obstacles entering the labor market.
Recognizing Subul’s potential to revolutionize impact hiring, Start Foundation has provided strategic guidance and now, financial backing.
“This is exactly the kind of accelerator that we love at Start Foundation,” said Joske Paumen, director of Start Foundation.
“Entrepreneurs who, driven by personal experience and armed with guts and solid entrepreneurship, help create job opportunities for people in the most impossible situations.”
