Grapple: A Vertical Two-Sided Services Marketplace

Abstract

Grapple is a vertical two-sided services marketplace for the informal labor sector which matches skilled workers with employers in Pakistan. Recruitment in this sector is challenging due to fragmented information and unstructured communication, resulting in inefficiencies and unreliable opportunities for the service worker. To overcome these challenges, Grapple connects verified employers and workers. It employs OCR-based identity verification, AI-powered job matching (Sentence-BERT), and real-time communication (WebSocket) to enhance security, efficiency and communication. The “Support-a-Skill” module of the platform also provides a digital philanthropy opportunity for donors to financially support the workers by purchasing collectible and memorable skill cards. These cards are a source of financial and moral support in a transparent manner, and reflect worker efficiency and trustworthiness. Grapple’s discovery, verification, matching and communication functions streamline hiring and enhance the efficiency of Pakistan’s informal labor market.