LAVCA VC
  • News Feed
  • VC Data
  • Directories
  • Features
  • Tech Growth Coalition
  • #changetheratio
  • Engage
    • VC Council
    • VC Members
  • LAVCA
  • Member Login
  • Member Access

LAVCA VC

  • News Feed
  • VC Data
  • Directories
  • Features
  • Tech Growth Coalition
  • #changetheratio
  • Engage
    • VC Council
    • VC Members
  • LAVCA

Astella Investimentos Leads a R$20m Investment in Kenoby

January 13, 2020

Astella Investimentos led a R$20m investment in Kenoby, a Brazilian SaaS platform for employee recruitment.

(Contxto) Kenoby, the Brazilian HR startup can kick its recruitment technology into high gear as it’s recently closed an investment for R$20 million (about US$4.9 million) through Astella Investimentos.

Prior to this event, it had already raised R$4 million (over US$977,000) in seed investments.

Kenoby reports that these recent funds shall be used to improve its products through artificial intelligence (AI) as well as increase its current team of 100 people to 300 within the next two years. Moreover, the startup expects to double its sales in 2020.

Recruitment with technology

Former headhunter Marcel Lotufo co-founded Kenoby in 2015. And thanks to the startup’s platform, human resources can automate multiple tasks related to finding and reviewing candidates. Among its features are dashboards and filters to offer a more seamless process for companies to find the best fit for their team.

And thus far Kenoby has landed over 450 customers among which are Loggi and McDonalds.

Albeit the startup is now looking into adding a zest of artificial intelligence (AI) to its platform for the initial phase of a candidate’s screening process. Meanwhile, the interviews and tests are left for later.

What Lotufo states will be key is keeping its screening algorithm bias-free.

Generic names and bias? So uncivilized
Two refreshing things I’d like to highlight here:

Firstly, the name, Kenoby—a “teacher” that will show you the way of the (work) Force. Ha! Whether the naming was intentional or not isn’t certain. But founders, it’s fantastic and important you give your startup’s name a lot of thought. If it tells a story, like this one does, you’re on the right track.

And second, tackling bias. This is the first HR startup I’ve personally run into whose CEO mentions the importance of tackling bias in their technology. So kudos to the Kenoby team.

But more importantly, this allows me to close with a beaut of a quote:

“Luke, you’re going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view.”

-Obi–Wan Kenobi

So let’s ease up on prejudice to really see the opportunities and weaknesses within our own workforce, businesses, and lives.

I bet you thought I’d end with a “You were the chosen one” meme, huh?

Stop being so biased.

-ML

Astella Investimentos Leads a R$20m Investment in Kenoby was last modified: January 16th, 2020 by Editor
AIArtificial IntelligenceAstella InvestimentosBrazilDealsKenobyLoggiMarcel LotufoMcDonaldsStartupTechnologyVenture Capital
0
Facebook Twitter Google +

Submit VC News

Have private equity or venture capital related news that you would like to share? Submit your press releases and news to news@lavca.org.

Categories

  • Deals
  • Exits
  • Regulatory
  • M&A
  • New Funds & Firms
  • Partnerships

Sector Tags

agribusiness AgTech Artificial Intelligence B2B Big Data biotech Consumer/Retail delivery Digital Media & Entertainment e-commerce ecommerce EdTech Education Energy Financial Services fintech foodtech Healthcare Healthtech HRTECH Human Resources Impact Impact Investing Infrastructure InsurTech IoT IT Logistics & Distribution logistics and distribution marketplace Marketplaces Mobile Private Capital Private Equity Proptech Real Assets Real Estate SaaS Software Startup startups Technology Telecommunications Transportation venture capital

Geography Tags

Alquilando Argentina Argentine Austria Belize Bolivia Brasil Brazil Canada Canary Caribbean Central America Chile Colombia Costa Rica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala Honduras India International INTL Israel Jamaica Japan Kenya LatAm Latin America Mexico Miami Nicaragua Pan-Regional Panama Paraguay Peru Portugal Puerto Rico South Korea Spain United States Uruguay US USA Venezuela
LatAm Venture Bulletin

LatAm Venture Bulletin

The LatAm Venture Bulletin is a must-read roundup of startup deals and news on emerging technologies in Latin America, delivered to over 6,000+ investors, entrepreneurs, and corporates bi-weekly.
Asset Class *

Tweets

  • READ latest deal case featuring Aqua Capital's investment in 🇧🇷Brazil-based agribusiness/animal feed additives comp… https://t.co/vAgqJSEPRm

    22-Dec-2020

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • 🚀LAVCA's #VC #femaleinvestors lists are out: ♀️ Top #Women Investing &⭐Emerging Women Investors in #LatinAmerica… https://t.co/D6bpZqL9LO

    10-Dec-2020

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • #HappeningNow LAVCA's CEO @ivonnecuello sharing #LatAm #Tech sectors leading, #leapfrogging, & #Socialimpact data.… https://t.co/Bt2sgRQOFm

    11-Nov-2020

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • 👩‍💻#weXchange2020 LAVCA's Executive Advisor y @CapriaVC 's Venture Partner @RoblesSusanaro y @NXTPvc's Managing Par… https://t.co/F7Fm1EOxZO

    11-Nov-2020

    Reply Retweet Favorite
  • 🔽DOWNLOAD the latest in a series of deal cases featuring LAVCA member Oria Capital's investment in 🇧🇷 software/CPaa… https://t.co/MzKHqR2tnv

    09-Nov-2020

    Reply Retweet Favorite

Keep in touch

Twitter Linkedin Youtube

About LAVCA

 

LAVCA is the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America, a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to supporting the growth of private capital in Latin America and the Caribbean through research, education, networking and advocacy.

LAVCA Offices

    New York City:
    589 8th Ave, 18th Floor
    New York, NY 10018

    Washington DC:
     2600 Virginia Ave. N.W., 500
    Washington, DC 20037

LAVCA Also Has a Regional Presence in:

    Silicon Valley:
    San Francisco, CA

Explore LAVCA.org

  • About LAVCA
  • Board, Team & Councils
  • Media
  • Contact Us
  • Membership Benefits
  • Members Only Access
  • Education and Programs
  • Research
  • Policy
  • LAVCA VC
  • Contact Us

@2020 - LAVCA. All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top