Gabe KarpCo-Founder

VryfID helps renters understand which apartments they are likely to qualify for before applying. The rental process can be frustrating and expensive when people apply to properties without knowing their chances of approval. Our goal is to bring more transparency and confidence to that process.

We were recruiting interns and reached out to a student to schedule an interview. After discussing possible dates and times, he responded by saying he was not interested in working for a Jew. It was a surprising response because the conversation had been entirely professional until that point.

Honestly, I was shocked. We were simply trying to offer someone an opportunity to learn and grow. To receive a response based solely on religion rather than qualifications or the role itself was disappointing and something I never expected to encounter as a founder.

My goal was not to attack an individual. I wanted to highlight the broader issue of antisemitism and show that it still exists today. I hoped people would focus on the message and the problem itself rather than turning the discussion into a personal attack.

No, not at all. I thought it would spark some discussion online, but I never expected it to become a national story. The amount of attention it received showed just how strongly people feel about discrimination and how important these conversations remain.

As a college student, I have seen examples of it on campus and in certain social settings. However, this was the first time I experienced it directly in a business environment while trying to hire someone for our company.

What surprised me was how divided the responses were. Many people were incredibly supportive, but there were also people who defended the comments or tried to justify them. That showed me how much work still needs to be done when it comes to combating prejudice.

It was disappointing because there was an opportunity to acknowledge the mistake and learn from it. Instead, he chose to stand by the comments. That made the conversation less about one bad decision and more about a larger issue of intolerance.

It reinforced the importance of staying calm under pressure. As a founder, you can't control every situation, but you can control your response. We focused on communicating respectfully and keeping our attention on our mission rather than getting distracted by negativity.

We want to build a team made up of people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. The best companies are built when talented people work together toward a shared goal. Diversity of thought and mutual respect are important parts of that vision.

Startups succeed because of people. When you bring together individuals with different experiences and viewpoints, you create stronger ideas and better solutions. Excluding people based on religion, race, or background only limits what a company can achieve.

Don't let negativity define your path. Every founder faces challenges, setbacks, and criticism. The key is to stay focused on your mission, continue building, and use difficult experiences as motivation rather than allowing them to slow you down.

It has made me even more motivated. Our focus remains on building a great company and helping renters. If anything, this situation reminded me why it's important to create organizations that welcome talented people regardless of where they come from.

I hope people understand that judging someone based on their religion or background is never productive. People should be evaluated based on their character, skills, and actions. We need more understanding and less division if we want to move forward together.

Our goal is to continue growing VryfID into a platform that helps renters make better decisions and navigate the housing market more effectively. At the same time, we want to build a company that reflects the values of inclusion, opportunity, and respect for everyone.