Apricot International operates as a non-profit sourcing firm and Employer of Record connecting mission-driven companies with full-time remote talent from underserved communities across the MENA region. The organization focuses specifically on Palestinian, Yemeni, and Lebanese professionals, with a stated $1 million investment supporting Palestinian excellence. Co-led by Brandon Pampuch and Azza Hararah from US headquarters, Apricot functions as the legal employer for placed candidates, handling the administrative and compliance infrastructure that enables global hiring from conflict-affected regions.
The organization's service model extends beyond standard recruitment. Apricot provides end-to-end support including interview training, onboarding, communication coaching, and ongoing mentorship aimed at ensuring placement retention. Many team members come from displaced communities themselves, positioning the organization's operational knowledge within the same contexts it serves. The approach targets startups and social impact organizations seeking remote talent while creating what the organization frames as meaningful economic opportunities for professionals in underserved markets.
Apricot's technical domains span recruiting and talent sourcing, Employer of Record services, remote hiring infrastructure, and workforce inclusion programming for displaced communities. The firm handles the legal employment relationship, allowing client companies to access talent without establishing their own entities in the MENA region. This structure addresses both the compliance complexities of cross-border employment and the mission-driven goal of connecting underutilized professional talent with companies willing to invest in non-traditional hiring channels.