US-based HR technology startup Firstwork has raised $15 million (over ₹142 crore) in a Series A funding round led by Earlybird Venture Capital to expand its AI-powered workforce automation platform across the US and Europe, according to a media report.
The round also attracted investments from Legion VC and Deel Ventures, along with existing backers Gradient and Y Combinator. With this latest funding, Firstwork has secured a total of $20 million since its launch in 2024.
Headquartered in San Francisco, the startup plans to deploy the fresh capital to expand its teams across applied AI, AI research, engineering, and go-to-market operations. Notably, around 80% of its workforce is based in Bengaluru. In addition, the company aims to strengthen its presence in the US and Europe while extending its AI agents to cover more workforce operations.
Founded by former Deel executives Vardhan Kapoor and Shubham Choudhary, Firstwork develops AI agents that automate human resource processes for frontline workers. Its platform handles document verification, background checks, right-to-work verification, onboarding, training coordination, compliance management, and worker follow-ups.
Moreover, the platform integrates with existing HR systems, enabling employers to automate workflows without replacing their current software infrastructure.
According to the company, more than 1.5 lakh frontline workers begin their jobs through its platform every month. Firstwork also claims that its technology can cut the time workers and HR teams spend on each new hire by up to 90%.
Its clients include Deel, Job&Talent, Relay, Wonolo, and BGSF.
The funding comes as businesses increasingly adopt artificial intelligence across human resource functions. Industry estimates project India’s HR technology market to grow from $1.12 billion in 2024 to $2.3 billion by 2033.
Meanwhile, several Indian startups are building AI-driven solutions for recruitment, onboarding, and workforce management. Bengaluru-based Hunar.AI, which raised ₹40 crore earlier this week, uses conversational AI agents to automate gig-worker hiring, onboarding, training, and employee retention. Its clients include Swiggy, Zepto, Croma, Starbucks, and Dr. Lal PathLabs.
Similarly, Hyderabad-based TurboHire raised $6 million in a Series A funding round led by IvyCap Ventures in August 2025 to expand its agentic AI-powered recruitment platform. Founded in 2019, the startup automates enterprise hiring workflows and says it has onboarded more than 120 enterprises, including Cipla, Tata Motors, PwC, Lenskart, and Britannia.
Other companies operating in related segments include TraqCheck, which provides AI-powered background verification and recruitment agents, and HireBound, which automates candidate sourcing, screening, and evaluation.
