Souktel

Souktel was a digital consulting firm that developed mobile-based platforms to connect job seekers with employers and deliver aid in emerging markets. The company was founded in 2006 by Jacob Korenblum, who, after working as an international aid worker, identified a communication gap between labor supply and demand in regions with low internet penetration but growing mobile phone usage. The name combines "souk," the Arabic word for marketplace, and "tel" for telephone.

The firm's initial pilot project launched in the Palestinian territories, providing a JobMatch service via simple SMS technology that worked on basic phones. This service allowed users to create mini-CVs and employers to post job ads through text messages, connecting thousands with employment opportunities. Souktel expanded its services to include AidLink, a platform used by humanitarian organizations to communicate with communities in crisis. Over the years, its technology was deployed in over 15 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, in partnership with aid agencies and mobile network operators.

The business operated as a for-profit corporate entity, generating revenue by providing custom digital solutions and consulting services to clients in the public, private, and humanitarian sectors. It secured funding through various stages, including a Series A round. In 2018, the company partnered with Georgetown Strategy Group, and its Managing Director, Dave Harden, took over as CEO, with Korenblum moving to a board role. However, in 2019, Souktel self-disclosed significant overbillings on several USAID-funded projects. This led to a settlement in 2022 where former CEO Jacob Korenblum agreed to pay $100,000 to resolve False Claims Act allegations. The company dissolved in 2021.

Keywords: mobile recruitment, humanitarian aid, emerging markets, SMS technology, job matching, digital consulting, mobile-for-development, aid delivery, social enterprise, community engagement