Handshake is a career networking platform founded in 2014 in San Francisco, connecting college students and recent graduates with employers for jobs, internships, and career opportunities across the United States.
Meaning and Symbolism
- The vibrant lime green (#d3fb52) conveys energy, growth, and optimism, reflecting the platform’s focus on launching young careers
- The bright, youthful color palette distinguishes Handshake from traditional corporate recruitment platforms that typically use conservative blues
- The text-based wordmark emphasizes accessibility and straightforward communication, aligning with the platform’s mission to democratize career opportunities
- Green symbolizes new beginnings and fresh starts, appropriate for college students transitioning into professional life
- The modern, approachable design reflects the platform’s tech-forward approach to solving traditional recruiting challenges
History and Evolution
Handshake was founded in 2014 by Garrett Lord, Scott Ringwelski, and Ben Christensen at Michigan Technological University, initially as a simple database for students to connect with campus recruiters. The platform gained rapid traction, expanding from a small university tool to a nationwide network. By 2018, Handshake had raised $80 million in Series C funding led by Spark Capital, reaching a valuation of over $600 million.
The platform’s growth accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic as virtual recruiting became essential. By 2021, Handshake served over 1,400 colleges and universities, with more than 20 million students and 750,000 employers using the platform. In September 2021, the company raised $200 million in Series F funding at a $3.5 billion valuation, cementing its position as the leading early career recruiting platform in North America. The platform now facilitates millions of connections annually between students and employers ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups.
Handshake differentiated itself by partnering directly with university career centers, providing free access to students while charging employers for premium features. This model democratized access to career opportunities, particularly benefiting students at non-elite institutions who previously had limited recruiting options.
Typography and Design
The Handshake wordmark uses a clean, modern sans-serif typeface with rounded letterforms that create an approachable, friendly aesthetic. The lowercase styling reinforces accessibility and removes hierarchical barriers, positioning the platform as a peer-oriented service rather than an authoritative institution. The letter spacing is generous, ensuring readability across digital platforms and mobile devices.
The signature lime green (#d3fb52) is deliberately unconventional for the recruiting industry, which traditionally favors corporate blues and grays. This color choice positions Handshake as a disruptive force in career services, appealing to both tech-savvy students and innovative employers. The monochromatic logo design ensures versatility across backgrounds, from app icons to marketing materials, while the bright color maintains high visibility in crowded digital environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the Handshake logo? The Handshake logo was developed by the founding team alongside in-house designers, though specific designer credits have not been publicly disclosed. The brand identity evolved as the company scaled from a university project to a major platform.
When was the Handshake logo last updated? Handshake has maintained consistent brand identity since its major expansion in 2016-2017, with minor refinements to ensure digital optimization. The distinctive lime green wordmark has remained largely unchanged, establishing strong brand recognition.
What does the lime green color in the Handshake logo represent? The lime green (#d3fb52) represents growth, new opportunities, and optimism, reflecting the platform’s mission to help students launch successful careers. The unconventional color choice distinguishes Handshake from traditional corporate recruiting platforms and appeals to younger, digitally-native users.
