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CONCONNECT
Techstars '22Yonkers, US · 1 known investors
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ConConnect (now Untapped Solutions) is a justice-tech networking platform connecting formerly incarcerated job seekers with employers.
Also known as ConConnect · Untapped Solutions
Founders & leadership
Investors · 1
How we know: the Techstars portfolio · open dataset · Top 3000 Accelerator Startups (no YC) 2026-08 · Not right? Tell us
Company profile
researched Sep 2026ConConnect is a New York-based justice-technology company that operates an employment and professional networking platform for formerly incarcerated people. The product functions as a networking and job-matching service, described by its founder as a LinkedIn-style network for people with conviction histories, and it connects users with employers who are open to second-chance hiring as well as with support services such as job training and counseling. The company was founded in 2021 and the free service launched nationwide in July 2021.
The company subsequently operated under the name Untapped Solutions, describing its app as a tool that connects individuals facing barriers to employment with employment resources, mentors and networking tools. Its stated long-term objective is to reduce recidivism by 15% by 2025. ConConnect has been listed with locations including Union Square and Manhattan in New York City, Yonkers, NY, and Atlanta, GA, in the industry categories of communities, CRM, employment and recruiting, at pre-seed stage with 1-10 employees.
Founding story
Founder Andre Peart grew up in Harlem and Yonkers, New York, became involved in gang activity and drug dealing, and earned a GED and entered college before being incarcerated. After his release he found most employers reluctant to hire him. While staying in a shelter for formerly incarcerated people, he used LinkedIn on his cellphone and decided to build an equivalent network for people like himself, which became ConConnect.
Business model
ConConnect offers its platform free to formerly incarcerated job seekers and works directly with employers willing to hire people with conviction histories. It has also run institutional pilot programs, such as one with a municipal housing authority, and has received grant funding.
Traction
By March 2022 the platform had 500 jobs posted and had placed 900 formerly incarcerated people in jobs since its nationwide launch in July 2021. In 2023 the company was one of 46 U.S. recipients of Google for Startups' Black Founders Fund and Latino Founders Fund, receiving a $150,000 equity-free grant.
Latest developments
In July 2023 the company, then operating as Untapped Solutions, was announced as a recipient of a $150,000 Google for Startups Black Founders Fund and Latino Founders Fund grant, which also includes sales and fundraising training, Google mentor support, up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits, and mental health coaching.
▸Full profile — market position, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
A pre-seed stage justice-tech startup operating in the second-chance employment and reentry services niche, recognized through the Westchester Innovation Network, Google for Startups founder funds and national public television coverage.
Go-to-market
Distribution has combined a nationwide free consumer app with partnerships brokered through regional business and civic organizations, including the Business Council of Westchester's Westchester Innovation Network, which matched the company with the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers to reach formerly incarcerated tenants where they live. The founder has said he intends to expand partnerships with municipal housing authorities in other parts of the country.
Formerly incarcerated individuals and others facing barriers to employment, employers open to second-chance hiring, and public-sector partners such as housing authorities.
Geography
United States, with listed locations in New York City (Union Square, Manhattan, Harlem), Yonkers, NY, and Atlanta, GA; the service launched nationwide in 2021.
History
Founded in 2021, ConConnect launched its free service nationwide in July 2021. In 2022 it began a pilot with the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers through the Business Council of Westchester's Westchester Innovation Network; the collaboration prompted policy initiatives making it easier for previously incarcerated people to qualify for rental leases. The company and founder were profiled in a November 2022 episode of the PBS series "Start Up." By 2023 the company was known as Untapped Solutions.
Compiled by commissioned research from 6 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 4
launches, deals, and filingsUntapped Solutions, formerly known as ConConnect, was named one of 46 U.S. recipients of the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund and Latino Founders Fund, receiving a $150,000 equity-free grant plus training, Google mentor support, up to $100,000 in Google Cloud credits and mental health coaching.
$150K source ↗
Founder Andre Peart and ConConnect were profiled in Season 10, Episode 8 of the PBS program "Start Up," filmed in Harlem, New York City.
ConConnect launched a pilot with the Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers, made possible through the Business Council of Westchester, to reach formerly incarcerated tenants where they live; the pilot was expected to run three to seven months.
ConConnect's free service for connecting formerly incarcerated people with employers launched across the United States.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 6
primary sources listed
- CONCONNECT | Techstars Job Boardjobs.techstars.com · web
6 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does CONCONNECT do?
- ConConnect (now Untapped Solutions) is a justice-tech networking platform connecting formerly incarcerated job seekers with employers.
- Who founded CONCONNECT?
- CONCONNECT was founded by Andre Peart.
- Who are CONCONNECT's investors?
- CONCONNECT's investors include Techstars.
- Where is CONCONNECT headquartered?
- CONCONNECT is headquartered in Yonkers, US.