
Extern invented the remote Externship, a completely new form of real work experience with integrated learning. Unlike traditional job marketplaces, Extern creates work experience “supply” by powering Externships on behalf of companies. Extern.com makes tens of thousands of real work experiences per year available to students with curiosity, passion, and determination to prove themselves through a turnkey software platform that makes running work experiences a breeze for companies. Our mission is to help anyone discover and launch their career through real professional experiences available anywhere at any time. Work experience is the credential that matters most, but getting it when you don’t have experience can be hard. We envision a world where anyone can access work experience as a form of education – no matter their background, experience, or socio-economic status. World class brands such as AT&T, Home Depot, HSBC, PwC, National Geographic Society, The Nature Conservancy, Meta, Beats by Dre (Apple), Expedia, Macquarie Group, Snap, HP, and others have trusted Extern to create and manage high impact Externships with their teams. By making work experience more accessible, Extern is driving the rapid mobility and upskilling needed for a new economy. Come join our movement to reshape work, education, and credentialing for future generations with the Externship. Backed by Y Combinator, Foundation Capital, Launch Fund, University Ventures, and Learn Capital.

Extern invented the remote Externship, a completely new form of real work experience with integrated learning. Unlike traditional job marketplaces, Extern creates work experience “supply” by powering Externships on behalf of companies. Extern.com makes tens of thousands of real work experiences per year available to students with curiosity, passion, and determination to prove themselves through a turnkey software platform that makes running work experiences a breeze for companies. Our mission is to help anyone discover and launch their career through real professional experiences available anywhere at any time. Work experience is the credential that matters most, but getting it when you don’t have experience can be hard. We envision a world where anyone can access work experience as a form of education – no matter their background, experience, or socio-economic status. World class brands such as AT&T, Home Depot, HSBC, PwC, National Geographic Society, The Nature Conservancy, Meta, Beats by Dre (Apple), Expedia, Macquarie Group, Snap, HP, and others have trusted Extern to create and manage high impact Externships with their teams. By making work experience more accessible, Extern is driving the rapid mobility and upskilling needed for a new economy. Come join our movement to reshape work, education, and credentialing for future generations with the Externship. Backed by Y Combinator, Foundation Capital, Launch Fund, University Ventures, and Learn Capital.
What they do: Runs remote, structured "externships" — project-based work experiences with integrated learning for students and early talent.
Also known as: Paragon One / Extern.com
Founded / HQ: 2015; New York City, NY (United States)
Founders / leadership: Byron Hsu (co‑founder), Matt Wilkerson (co‑founder & CEO)
Funding: Total reported: 2000000.00 USD; latest listed round: Seed (2021-10-01)
Notable backers: Y Combinator, Foundation Capital, Learn Capital, University Ventures
Education-to-career transition, early talent pipeline development, upskilling and credentialing through real work experience.
2015
Education / EdTech
1900000.00 USD
Seed round reported at $1.9M; investors included Y Combinator, Foundation Capital, Learn Capital, University Ventures and others.
Crunchbase lists a Seed round dated 2021-10-01 (amount not provided in the available evidence).
“Backed by institutional investors including Y Combinator, Foundation Capital, Learn Capital, University Ventures.”