AI startup Firstwork has raised $15 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered platform for frontline workforce operations. The round was led by Earlybird Venture Capital, with participation from Legion VC, Deel Ventures and existing investors Gradient and Y Combinator, bringing the company’s total funding to $20 million less than two years after its founding.
Firstwork develops AI agents that automate the administrative processes involved in hiring, onboarding and managing frontline employees. The company works with businesses in sectors such as healthcare, logistics and staffing, where workers often face lengthy delays between accepting a job and starting their first shift.
Automating Frontline Workforce Operations With AI
Founded in 2024 by Vardhan Kapoor, CEO, and Shubham Choudhary, Firstwork addresses the fragmented systems employers use to manage frontline workers. Kapoor previously led Asia-Pacific operations at Remitly and strategy at Deliveroo Singapore, while Choudhary served as Director of Engineering at Deel after helping build Rippling’s global employment infrastructure.
The company’s AI agents operate across existing HR, payroll and screening systems, automating tasks such as document verification, right-to-work and background checks, training coordination and payroll setup. Rather than replacing these systems, Firstwork connects them and executes workflows between them, with actions logged for auditing. Its technology also supports ongoing compliance, credential renewals and worker follow-ups, extending automation beyond the initial hiring process.
According to Firstwork, more than 150,000 frontline workers start work through its platform each month. Customers including Deel, Job&Talent, Relay, Wonolo and BGSF have reduced the time workers and HR teams spend on each new hire by up to 90%. At one of its largest customers, the number of qualified applicants reaching their first shift tripled.
“The systems employers rely on were built to record what happened, not to actually do the work,” said Vardhan Kapoor, co-founder and CEO of Firstwork. “That leaves HR and operations teams spending enormous amounts of time chasing documents, coordinating across systems and supporting workers through processes that extend well beyond day one. Applied AI changes what is possible. We can now give every frontline worker the kind of support that used to be reserved for the top of the labor market, from the moment they apply through every stage of their employment.”
Funding to Support US and European Expansion
Firstwork plans to use the Series A funding to expand its presence across the United States and Europe, including a planned office in London. The company will also grow its applied AI, research, engineering and go-to-market teams while extending its agents into additional workforce management processes.
The expansion comes as employers in labour-intensive industries face persistent staffing shortages and operational challenges. Firstwork initially focused on reducing the time between an accepted job offer and a worker’s first shift, but is now developing technology to manage recurring compliance requirements, training and employee support throughout the employment lifecycle.
The company is also advised by Prerana Issar, former Chief People Officer at Sainsbury’s and NHS England, who brings experience in workforce management across large organisations.
With $20 million raised since its founding in 2024, Firstwork plans to expand its AI automation capabilities and support more employers managing large frontline workforces.
