Ex-SocialRank founders premiere new job board to combat coronavirus layoffs

Employment numbers have been in near free-fall since the coronavirus pandemic, and hardly any industry can hide from it. But where cracks appear in the sidewalk, things can grow.

Alexander Taub and Michael Schonfeld launched professional social media platform Upstream in late 2019 as a more user-friendly alternative to LinkedIn. The game plan was to remain in beta testing until a tentative launch for the summer of 2020.

COVID-19 changed that.

The intent was to launch publicly this summer - now, the platform has its very own COVID-19 group, and users can post hiring offers, look for work, or simply offer assistance to those who may need it. This streamlined trio of options - the only post categories allowed - are what Taub says separates Upstream from the rest, and bolsters its ease of use. 

Despite the app's original focus on tech workers, the founders are already reporting new members appearing from education backgrounds and small businesses, suggesting how broadly its use value might go as the pandemic continues on.