Collars returned to Startup Mania this year and finished as a back-to-back finalist, taking second place both this year and last while competing against startups from around the world.

Startup Mania is a bracket-style startup pitch competition inspired by March Madness. Startups go head-to-head in rapid pitch rounds, advancing through the bracket until a final winner is selected. The event brings together founders, investors, media, and startup leaders for several days of pitching, networking, and conversations about the future of technology and business.

Out of a competitive international field, Collars advanced through multiple rounds to reach the final stage once again. Making the finals in consecutive years reflects the growing interest in what the company is building and the broader momentum around improving how hiring works in the trades.

Collars is an app-based hiring platform designed specifically for the industries that keep the country running—construction, manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and service. The platform allows applicants and employers to build rich profiles with photos, videos, and experience so both sides can find better long-term matches.

While many hiring platforms focus primarily on white-collar work, Collars was built from the ground up for the trades. The company’s goal is to modernize how employers and applicants connect while helping strengthen the next generation of the workforce.

The team was proud to represent the trades at Startup Mania once again and appreciated the opportunity to share the Collars mission with founders, investors, and industry leaders from around the world.

Looking ahead

The momentum from events like Startup Mania continues to reinforce the need for better hiring tools in the trades. As the platform grows, Collars is focused on helping more employers and applicants connect through a system designed specifically for how the trades actually work.

The Collars app is now available, and the team is continuing to expand its network of employers and talent across the United States.

Learn more or download the app at Collars.io.

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