US-based HR technology startup Firstwork has raised $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Earlybird Venture Capital to expand its AI-powered workforce automation platform across the US and Europe. The round brings the company’s total funding to $20 million since its launch in 2024, according to Firstwork.
The funding round also includes Legion VC and Deel Ventures, along with existing investors Gradient and Y Combinator. Firstwork plans to use the capital to expand its teams in applied AI, research, engineering and go to market operations, while strengthening its presence in key international markets.
An important part of its operating model is its India presence: around 80% of Firstwork’s workforce is based in Bengaluru, even as the company primarily targets global customers.
Founders Vardhan Kapoor and Shubham Choudhary Target Frontline HR Workflows
Founded in 2024 by former Deel executives Vardhan Kapoor and Shubham Choudhary, Firstwork develops AI agents that automate administrative tasks involved in hiring and managing frontline workers.
Its platform covers document verification, background and right-to-work checks, onboarding, training coordination, compliance management and follow ups with workers. These processes can involve repeated checks and coordination between HR teams, hiring managers and new employees.
Firstwork integrates with existing HR systems rather than requiring employers to replace their core software. This approach allows businesses to automate selected workflows while retaining their current technology stack.
Firstwork Says Its Platform Supports 1.5 Lakh Monthly Worker Starts
Firstwork says more than 1.5 lakh frontline workers start work through its platform every month. The company also claims its technology can reduce the time spent by workers and HR teams on each new hire by up to 90%.
Its customers include Deel, Job&Talent, Relay, Wonolo and BGSF, according to the information provided. The company plans to extend its AI agents to more workforce operations as it expands across the US and Europe.
The opportunity lies in automating tasks that are essential but time-consuming. For employers hiring large numbers of frontline workers, delays in document checks, onboarding and compliance can slow workforce deployment. AI agents could help reduce manual coordination, although performance will depend on the complexity of each workflow and the level of human oversight required.
Bengaluru Team Supports Firstwork’s Global Expansion
Although Firstwork is headquartered in San Francisco, around 80% of its workforce operates from Bengaluru. The company’s plans to expand its applied AI, engineering and research teams underline the role India-based talent can play in building technology products for global enterprise customers.
The fundraise also reflects investor interest in AI applications that address specific business processes rather than offering general-purpose chat tools. In HR operations, the potential value comes from completing workflows reliably, integrating with existing systems and maintaining appropriate checks around sensitive employee information.
India’s HR technology market is also expected to grow. Market research firm IMARC Group has projected the market to increase from $1.12 Bn in 2024 to $2.3 Bn by 2033. This is a third-party market estimate, not a measure of Firstwork’s addressable market or expected revenue.
For Firstwork, the next challenge will be to turn its funding and AI capabilities into broader adoption across international markets. Its ability to demonstrate reliable automation, measurable time savings and smooth integration with enterprise systems will be important as it scales.
