Koru announced today that Washington State University has become the latest educational institution to partner with the Seattle-based startup, helping students build work experience and find jobs out of college.
The company, led by Onvia co-founder Kristen Hamilton, partners with employers– especially technology firms –to place students for short stints of employment. That, in turn, is meant to connect students with potential employers, or at least help them build their resumé and develop skills they need to succeed in the working world.
“It makes sense to join forces with Koru as an innovator in education, especially with their founding programs and great employer partnerships in Washington State,” Washington State University President Elson S. Floyd said in a press release.
A partnership makes sense for Koru and WSU students. Out of the 31 students who graduated from the company’s June program in Seattle, 14 were eligible for jobs. Eight of those 14 pupils have already been hired, or 57 percent of the total eligible workforce. Overall, 70 percent of Koru graduates (not including those who just completed their program in July) have been placed in a job.
The company, which raised a $4.35 million funding round late last year from Maveron, Battery Ventures, First Round Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, already has 13 educational partners lined up.
WSU will be joining a group of institutions that includes Whitman College, Georgetown University, Pomona College, University of Southern California and Vassar College.
Koru will be starting up its first program in San Francisco right after Labor Day. People interested in taking part in Koru’s September program in Seattle have until August 11 to apply. Those who want to apply can do so here.
