Google Workspace tools are the most intuitive, time-saving group of support mechanisms for startups that are out there.
Eli Rivera
Co-founder & CEO
“Liberty and justice for all” means more to Eli Rivera. He knows from personal prison experience that with the right opportunities and support, formerly incarcerated people can transform their lives. With backing from the Google for Startups Latino Founders Fund, he started The Way Out in 2020, an online platform that connects formerly incarcerated Wisconsinites to good jobs and support programs, while also educating corporate partners about the financial, ethical, and tax benefits of hiring these individuals. “We want to empower people so that when they get to work, they are their best self,” he says.
Google Workspace tools like Meet and Sheets are easy to use, which makes them perfect for helping newcomers with no technical background get onboarded with The Way Out. “We encourage folks to join us in building out a Sheets spreadsheet, or to hop on a Meet to help get themselves in line with what they need to join our platform,” Eli says. “It’s so seamless and easy, even for folks who have just come back to the real world. We hold more than 80 percent of our meetings on Meet.” And the connections Eli’s team made through Google for Startups continue to pay dividends today. “It’s not just the Google name behind us. It’s not just the venture capital money. It’s the weekly huddles with other Black and Brown founders. It’s the networking opportunities. We met our dev team through Google,“ Eli says. Now The Way Out is moving boldly forward to transform more lives in more places. They helped 387 percent more job-seekers in 2022 than the year before, and by 2025 they hope to expand operations to all 50 states. “We are 100 percent committed to supporting our justice-involved brothers and sisters across the country, and to helping employers find valuable employees for their organization,” Eli says.