Joba Network, a Web3 startup with a mission to "revolutionize work for everyone," announced today that it has raised an undisclosed amount in a round led by Japan-based Decima Fund, with participation from notable angel investors.
Joba Network, founded in June 2023 by Marisa McKnight, launched a closed beta in July 2023 and instantly received significant support from the Web3 community.
At its core, Joba Network's business model is a decentralized platform powered by blockchain and artificial intelligence, allowing people to build on-chain reputation and borderless credit for their identity. The startup targets the new online economy of global digital nomads and businesses seeking trust mechanisms beyond national and institutional borders.
The startup aims to bridge existing identity systems of governments and financial institutions with on-chain credential technology for verification of global citizens. This development will allow users to access loans or visas based on their remote work experience.
Joba Network leverages AI to connect workers with businesses based on information gathered on the platform. Decentralized identity and data collection mechanisms allow users to remain anonymous while ensuring secure business interactions.
The team envisions a Web3 take on LinkedIn, a comprehensive solution catering to both businesses and remote workers. It's designed to improve vital elements of the modern workspace such as identity management, credentials, a job marketplace, a reputation system, and payment processing.
Today's funding will be used to advance the project's goal of building its infrastructure and entering the Japanese market, where labor shortages pose a significant challenge to the aging society.
Marisa McKnight, Joba Network's founder and CEO, shared her vision:
"At Joba Network, we are shaping the foundation of the way we work. After COVID-19, remote and distributed work has become commonplace, but workers often lose access to the services and benefits offered by large corporations. Joba addresses this challenge by empowering individuals and businesses to transact securely and build on-chain reputation to unlock new opportunities."
Decima Fund, Joba's backer, is a Web3 investment fund with a focus on the Japanese market – committed to bridging it with the rest of the world. Decima Fund's portfolio includes projects like the D8X derivative exchange and the Bluwhale data platform.
Ken Kitahara, General Partner of Decima Fund, commented on the deal:
"Marisa has shown unwavering commitment to resolving challenges since I met her in 2018, embodying resilience and fairness. We are proud to back Joba in its journey to help talent find the best opportunities to create value, and truly believe Joba will have a substantial impact on advancing on-chain work."
