Key Takeaways
- • Firstwork, a US-based HR technology startup, raised USD 15 million (over Rs 142 crore) in a Series A round led by Earlybird Venture Capital, bringing total funding to USD 20 million since its 2024 launch.
- • Legion VC and Deel Ventures joined the round, with existing investors Gradient and Y Combinator also participating.
- • The company, founded by former Deel executives Vardhan Kapoor and Shubham Choudhary, uses AI agents to automate frontline worker HR operations and claims it can cut onboarding time per hire by up to 90 per cent.
- • Around 80 per cent of Firstwork's workforce is based in Bengaluru, and the capital will fund expansion in applied AI, research, engineering and go-to-market roles across the US and Europe.
- • Per the company, more than 150,000 frontline workers start work through its platform each month, with clients including Deel, Job&Talent, Relay, Wonolo and BGSF.
Summary
Firstwork, a San Francisco-based HR technology startup with the majority of its workforce in Bengaluru, has raised USD 15 million (over Rs 142 crore) in a Series A funding round led by Earlybird Venture Capital, according to a media report. The round also drew participation from Legion VC and Deel Ventures, alongside existing investors Gradient and Y Combinator. The raise brings Firstwork's total funding to USD 20 million since the company launched in 2024.
The company plans to deploy the capital to expand its teams across applied AI, AI research, engineering and go-to-market functions. It also intends to strengthen its presence in the United States and Europe and extend its AI agents into additional workforce operations. Founded by former Deel executives Vardhan Kapoor and Shubham Choudhary, Firstwork uses AI agents to automate HR operations for frontline workers, covering document verification, background checks, right-to-work checks, onboarding, training coordination, compliance management and worker follow-ups. The platform integrates with existing HR systems, allowing employers to automate workflows without replacing their current software.
According to the company, more than 150,000 frontline workers start work through its platform every month, and its technology can reduce the time spent by workers and HR teams on each new hire by up to 90 per cent. Listed clients include Deel, Job&Talent, Relay, Wonolo and BGSF.
The funding comes as AI adoption accelerates across HR functions. Industry estimates project India's HR technology market to grow to USD 2.3 billion by 2033 from USD 1.12 billion in 2024. Several Indian peers are pursuing similar models, including Bengaluru-based Hunar.AI, which recently raised Rs 40 crore and uses conversational AI agents for gig-worker hiring and onboarding, and Hyderabad-based TurboHire, which raised USD 6 million in a Series A led by IvyCap Ventures in August 2025. Adjacent players include TraqCheck, focused on AI-powered background verification, and HireBound, which automates candidate sourcing and screening.
The company plans to deploy the capital to expand its teams across applied AI, AI research, engineering and go-to-market functions. It also intends to strengthen its presence in the United States and Europe and extend its AI agents into additional workforce operations. Founded by former Deel executives Vardhan Kapoor and Shubham Choudhary, Firstwork uses AI agents to automate HR operations for frontline workers, covering document verification, background checks, right-to-work checks, onboarding, training coordination, compliance management and worker follow-ups. The platform integrates with existing HR systems, allowing employers to automate workflows without replacing their current software.
According to the company, more than 150,000 frontline workers start work through its platform every month, and its technology can reduce the time spent by workers and HR teams on each new hire by up to 90 per cent. Listed clients include Deel, Job&Talent, Relay, Wonolo and BGSF.
The funding comes as AI adoption accelerates across HR functions. Industry estimates project India's HR technology market to grow to USD 2.3 billion by 2033 from USD 1.12 billion in 2024. Several Indian peers are pursuing similar models, including Bengaluru-based Hunar.AI, which recently raised Rs 40 crore and uses conversational AI agents for gig-worker hiring and onboarding, and Hyderabad-based TurboHire, which raised USD 6 million in a Series A led by IvyCap Ventures in August 2025. Adjacent players include TraqCheck, focused on AI-powered background verification, and HireBound, which automates candidate sourcing and screening.
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