About the Business
Founded by Alina Turner and Travis Turner, HelpSeeker is a Calgary-based social technology B Corp that provides just-in-time information for people who need help. Using HelpSeeker’s free app, Canadians can access curated listings for 250k+ community, health, and social services. Policy makers, funders, and advocates can also leverage the company’s paid platform – a data dashboard that provides them with information to target funding and policy changes where the need is greatest.
About the Loan
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, thousands of Canadians were forced out of work and many more were seeking access to new social programs and support. To support the increasing demand for the app’s resources, Vancity Community Investment Bank (VCIB) offered a $500,000 line of credit to provide HelpSeeker with capital for growth, research, and development.
About the Impact
As a Schedule 1 values-based bank, VCIB supports organizations that share a commitment to positively impact the communities where they live and work. With a line of credit in hand, HelpSeeker hired nearly 50 new staff to expand the organization’s reach across Canada, a dramatic growth for a young Calgary-based start-up. VCIB’s financing also supported HelpSeeker in adding new datasets to the company’s social policy dashboard, which helped over 200 Canadian municipalities to better target their social spending as the pandemic progressed. At last count, HelpSeeker now allows Canadians to seamlessly search 280,000 programs and services, simplifying the maze of offerings and helping users get the information they need.
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The information provided herein is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute investment, financial, legal, accounting, tax, or other advice and should not be relied upon for such purpose. Always consult a professional regarding your specific needs and circumstances. Customer results may vary. The customer endorsements that appear on this page were solicited by VCIB.
