Propel's core product is Fresh EBT, a free app that lets users check their SNAP/food-stamp balance, find stores that accept benefits, track spending, and locate job listings. The app is free for consumers and government agencies; Propel generates revenue through digital coupons and a job board. Propel reports more than 1.5 million monthly users and says over 30,000 people have applied for jobs this year via the app. CEO and founder Jimmy Chen frames the company's mission as building "a more user-friendly safety net" and emphasizes that Propel is a for-profit pursuing social impact. The company positions its product as both a consumer tool and a channel for employers and retailers to reach low-income users. Financially, Propel has moved from a seed round into a larger institutional raise, using product engagement and the job board as monetization levers to scale. Propel operates Fresh EBT, a free smartphone app that lets Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants check their EBT card balance, browse nearby deals, see which stores accept SNAP, and create shopping lists. The company says more than 250,000 people use Fresh EBT at least once a week. Propel’s founder and CEO Jimmy Chen describes the business model as scaling impact by growing the user base or finding users more grocery savings. The startup plans to expand beyond food stamps to help users access a broader set of services and to create a more user-friendly safety net. Propel positions itself as a privately funded organization that can continue serving low-income Americans regardless of political changes to public-sector programs. The team has highlighted uncertainty around policy but noted SNAP had not been significantly affected by the administration at the time of the article. Propel builds apps aimed at helping SNAP enrollees access benefits and services. The company is based in Cobble Hill and grew out of Blue Ridge Labs, a civic tech incubator. Propel recently won local awards including Make it in BK and Civic Startup of the Year at the 2016 Brooklyn Innovation Awards. The company was selected for the Future Cities Accelerator and will receive a $100,000 grant to support hiring, with an emphasis on technical positions and a current search for a full‑stack software engineer. Participation in the accelerator also provides training in rapid prototyping and fundraising, mentorship, executive coaching, and pro bono financial modeling. Propel’s CEO Jimmy Chen cited networking and mentorship as key benefits of the program.

Total raised

$17M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Dec 2018