Laborup

Laborup is a Knoxville, Tennessee startup building an AI-powered recruiting platform for America's skilled industrial workforce - the machinists, welders, and maintenance techs that keep factories running. Founded in 2024 by former Stanford AI researcher Tasimba 'Simba' Jonga, it uses voice-first AI agents to interview and profile blue-collar workers in minutes, then matches employers to a vetted network of thousands of tradespeople. The company pitches itself as the 'LinkedIn of manufacturing,' promising faster time-to-fill, lower cost-per-hire, and better retention, and has raised roughly $7.7M in total funding.