The social care community Careibu has raised an investment of 400.000 euros to increase its social impact. Careibu matches students looking for a social side job to people looking for help at home. In the Netherlands, more than 30.000 students and 13.000 clients are already members of the community. The company of the sisters Lotte (32) and Anne (30) van Oudheusden also launched in Berlin last May, where the first 100 students have already signed up.
The new investment will be used to optimise Careibu’s websites and apps, to grow the community and to expand to Germany. Anne: “We see great opportunities in Germany, because the culture is comparable and consumers are more and more conscious and therefore looking for services where not commercial but social importance is paramount: helping each other. A doing good movement like Careibu did not exist in Germany yet.”
Lotte and Anne have very consciously brought in investors who share this social mission and want to make an impact in the world. The biggest investor of this round is Monuta Ontzorgt, who wants to enrich the lives of seniors, make it more pleasant and unburdened. Anne: “With Careibu we want to make the world more social and we see that our community wants it too. How beautiful is it if we grow our community and at the same time make more impact in the world? We truly believe that goes hand in hand.”
In July 2016, Careibu raised its first investment of 400.000 euros. In the past two years, great strides were made in the development of the websites, launching the apps, doubling of the team and preparations for the expansion to Germany. Lotte: “Where the previous round was focused on professionalisation, this round is focused on growth and impact.”
In 2009, Lotte and Anne started a local babysitting network in Amsterdam. They saw there was a need for student jobs that are about more than just earning money. The sisters wanted to create a social side job, where students offer help to other generations and with their earnings can finance their own study. This way two generations help each other.
What started as a small babysitting network in Amsterdam, has grown into a national community of more than 30.000 students who offer help to all generations. The youngest client – via OppasStudent – is a 6-week-old baby and the oldest client – via SeniorenStudent – is 102 years old. Lotte: “It is special to see what students contribute to the lives of others: As a babysitter, they are an example for children. They teach them how to play music, they cook and they help with homework. As a SeniorStudent, they are like a grandchild and they offer both company and practical help. For example when computing, helping with chores in the house and making trips together. Also, the students learn a lot from the elderly, reciprocity always comes first.”
Already 22.000+ people were brought together who would never have known each other without Careibu. Friendships were born, generations connected and social side jobs created for students. This is the impact Careibu makes on society. Today and in the future.