Bertelsmann has made its first strategic investment in Japan, backing Tokyo-based startup NGA’s AI recruitment platform HelloBoss in an undisclosed Series A round that also included BAI Capital, the company said.
HelloBoss, launched in early 2023, uses AI to match jobseekers with employers and is rolling out a new “AI Agent” designed to automate parts of hiring on both sides of the market.
For candidates, the tool can scan resumes, suggest roles, and generate tailored application materials. For employers, it drafts job posts, ranks applicants, and proposes outreach messages and interview prompts.
The company said the new funding will go toward product development and overseas expansion, with Japan serving as the initial base.
Chief executive Alex Wang, a former Recruit Group employee, said the firm chose Japan to test its approach in a market known for strict compliance rules and powerful incumbents.
The investment gives Bertelsmann, a German media and services group that has expanded into human-resources technology globally, a foothold in a Japanese hiring market under strain from demographic decline and persistent labour shortages.
Employers have increasingly turned to automation to speed up screening and widen talent pools.
HelloBoss said it has grown quickly since launch and now works with a mix of domestic and multinational clients, though it did not provide detailed financials.
The company employs about 20 people and plans to add staff as it moves into new markets.
Deal terms, including the amount raised and valuation, were not disclosed.
Business News Asia
