AI based jobs start-up acquires Ksh. 201 million

Nairobi based HR-Tech company Shortlist East Africa (EA) has received an additional Ksh. 201 million (USD 2 million) in venture capital to further its algorithm based matching of regional businesses with top talent.

The financing was led by Private Equity firm Blue Haven Ventures with participation from Zephyr Acorn, Compass Venture Capital and Potencia Ventures among others.

Shortlist expects to use the acquired funds to expand on its outreach to jobseekers, improve its algorithm matching, and expand geographically.

“We are helping Kenyan companies hire better candidates, faster, by ditching the CV in favour of truly meaningful candidate data. This funding enables us to further our work connecting employers with the best talent in the market,” Shortlist EA Managing Director Ariane Fisher.

“Across our portfolio, the biggest barrier to growth is access to talent. Hiring high-quality people in emerging markets too much time and slows teams down. We’re excited to support the team as they grow into new products and markets across Africa and India,” added Blue Haven Ventures Managing Director Lauren Cochran.

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) based jobs start-up has since its launch in 2016 screened over 400,000 candidates for over 300 clients ranging from start-ups to international corporations. Jumia, M-Kopa Solar, Shell, Twiga Foods and Uber Eats makes up the shortlist of some of its clientele base.

Currently, operating throughout Kenya and India, Shortlist plans to expand its footprint within and beyond East Africa in 2019.

The firm has previously received funding from AHL Venture Partners, the Shell Foundation and University Ventures.

The company is a winner of the ANDE-Argidius Talent Challenge and has been identified in London Stock Exchange Group’s ‘Companies to Inspire Africa’ 2019 report.