Extern
YC W17San Francisco, US · Founded 2019 · 30 employees · 1 known investors
Extern provides externship programs that connect companies with emerging generations to gather consumer insights and test product concepts. The platform serves marketing and product teams at consumer and financial services companies seeking research and prototyping capabilities.
Also known as Paragon One
AI & Machine LearningConsumerEdTechHR TechMarketing TechMarketplacesEducationMarketplaceeLearningRecruitingRemote WorkUnited States of AmericaAmerica / CanadaFully Remote
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W17)
Extern was founded in 2019 by Matt Wilkerson.
MW
Matt WilkersoninCo-Founder & CEO2015–2020Matt Wilkerson co-founded Extern, which provides remote work experiences for individuals and projects for companies, after pivoting from Paragon One (YC W17). He previously co-founded the e-commerce marketplace AHAlife, worked in investment at Morgan Stanley and TCV, and holds degrees in Computer Science & Engineering and Management Science from MIT.
Investors · 1
Competitors · 4
by search overlapThe Muse2913 shared keywordsThe Muse is a career discovery and employer branding platform that helps job seekers research companies and careers, while enabling organizations to attract talent by showcasing authentic employee stories and company culture.
Forage2715 shared keywordsForage provides free job simulations designed by leading employers to help students build real-world skills and prepare for careers. The platform offers over 300 simulations across 125+ companies, allowing users to demonstrate competency to potential employers.
Handshake2109 shared keywordsHandshake is a three-sided job marketplace connecting 25 million knowledge workers, 1,600+ educational institutions, and 1 million employers. The platform provides career discovery, hiring, and skill-building services to help talent find opportunity in the AI economy.
BetterUp1416 shared keywordsBetterUp provides an AI-powered coaching and professional development platform that helps organizations support employee growth and wellbeing. The platform serves enterprises and their employees through behavioral science-backed coaching and talent management tools.
Companies competing with Extern for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
In the news
Frequently asked questions
- What does Extern do?
- Extern provides externship programs that connect companies with emerging generations to gather consumer insights and test product concepts. The platform serves marketing and product teams at consumer and financial services companies seeking research and prototyping capabilities.
- Who founded Extern?
- Extern was founded by Matt Wilkerson in 2019.
- Who are Extern's investors?
- Extern's investors include Y Combinator.
- Where is Extern headquartered?
- Extern is headquartered in San Francisco, US.





