Jobber has launched a $100,000 grant program to help grow businesses in the home services sector. The Edmonton-based home service management software provider announced Boost By Jobber on March 24.
It will award grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 to 20 home service businesses across four categories: pre-business, new business owners, entrepreneurs with more than three years of experience, and businesses who need a boost to get back to their pre-COVID state.
Jobber CEO and co-founder Sam Pillar said the new initiative supports small businesses that are largely underserved when it comes to business financing.
"Home service entrepreneurs impact their local communities and neighborhoods in meaningful ways," said Pillar. "Boost by Jobber helps address this gap by providing service business entrepreneurs with some extra working capital that may not otherwise be available through traditional banks and government grant programs."
Funds from Boost By Jobber will help home service businesses in more than 50 industries, including lawn care, plumbing, residential cleaning, and painting. Jobber spoke with business owners to better understand the impact the extra funds could have on companies.
"People don't understand the value of the cash flow," said Steven Knight from Edmonton-based Mosaic Home Services. "It's not necessarily only helping the business. It's helping the business owners. Their ability to lead people and calm down. Cash flow helps them be a better business leader."
Jobber also recently raised $76 million from Summit Partners, Version One Ventures, OMERS Ventures, and Tech Pioneers Fund.
The company's growth equity round was one of the biggest Canadian venture capital deals in 2020, according to a new report by the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA).
Business owners in the U.S. and Canada, excluding Quebec, are eligible for the Boost By Jobber program. Applications are open until May 5.