Matched

Matched.community operates as a digital platform designed to connect individuals for knowledge sharing and advisory services, positioning itself as a socio-economic equalizer. The company was co-founded by Jessica Box, who serves as CEO, and Susan Hion-Jarvis. Their professional journey includes prior collaboration at Girls in Tech Australia and later at Linktree, where they were involved in leading growth and product as the company achieved unicorn status. This background in scaling technology and community-driven platforms directly informs Matched's mission to bridge the gap between an individual's existing network and their future aspirations.

The platform facilitates connections between 'Learners' and 'Trainers' based on shared interests, catering to a wide array of goals from professional development, such as landing a new role or transitioning industries, to personal achievements like running a marathon. The user base is diverse, spanning all industries and seniority levels. Matched has structured its business model around a freemium and commission-based framework. Signing up and participating in group sessions are currently free. Revenue is generated from paid one-on-one sessions, for which Trainers set their own hourly rates, typically ranging from $200 to $500. The company takes a platform fee of 10% on bookings made through a Trainer's profile and 20% on bookings originating from Matched's recommendations.

The service offers multiple learning formats, including one-on-one sessions, group interactions, and content, creating a flexible learning environment. A key aspect of the platform is the fluid role of its users, with approximately 60% being both Learners and Trainers, fostering a reciprocal learning ecosystem. This dual-role capability allows users to gain expertise while also sharing their own knowledge, potentially creating a secondary income stream. In late 2024, the company secured nearly $500,000 in an angel funding round, with backing from prominent female founders like Kristy Chong of Modibodi and Bree Johnson of frank body, as well as the LaunchVic's Alice Anderson fund.

Keywords: knowledge sharing, advisory platform, mentorship, professional development, peer-to-peer learning, career transition, skill development, community building, expert network, Jessica Box, Susan Hion-Jarvis, Linktree alumni, socio-economic equalizer, one-on-one coaching, group sessions, paid advice, secondary income, life goals, personal development, knowledge gap, reciprocal learning