Equals6, the Halifax-based social network linking students and potential employers, has formed a partnership with a Nevada-based network for student interns as part of its strategy to target growth in the United States.

The Halifax company said in a statement it had struck a partnership with YouTern, an online community that helps students seek internships and meet mentors, especially in the Silicon Valley area. By working together, Equals6 and YouTern can share content, reach more students and offer each other’s products to their clientele.

 “At Equals6, we are constantly looking for ways to help our student members get the resources, advice and connections they need to crack the job market,” said Equals6 CEO Andy Osburn. “By partnering with YouTern, our members will gain exposure to a remarkable source of internship and early career opportunities.”

Started in 2011, Equals6 has developed a website at which students can meet potential employers and discuss career-related topics with a range of people. It charges employers to join the site, which is how it gains revenue.

The site now has about 21,000 students and 150 employers enrolled – more than double the number in both cases than it had in March. Whereas its growth initially was concentrated in Atlantic Canada, the company has also signed up a lot of students in Ontario and India and is now targeting the Northeastern U.S. 

“For us, the next big market where we have to show demonstrable success is the U.S., which is why I’m spending so much time here,” said Osburn in a phone interview from Boston Thursday.

Last week, Osburn attended the TechCocktail event in Boston, where Equals6 was voted the Hottest Startup at a showcase of cutting-edge technology. He stayed in the city for the New England Venture Summit this week, and next week plans to stay on to meet with potential funders and potential strategic partners.

Having raised $250,000 in seed funding from Innovacorp earlier this year, Osburn is now working on a follow-up round of between $500,000 and $1 million. He said he has commitments for some of that funding, and added he’s hoping for a larger financing round next year.

While he’s talking to a few venture capital funds about a possible investment, Osburn said he’s also willing to consider taking investment from a strategic partner. Equals6 has to attract a lot of American students in the next few years, and teaming up with a company with strong links to U.S. academia could accelerate that effort immensely.