HR technology firm Spotted Zebra has successfully secured £7.7 million in a Series A funding round, spearheaded by the esteemed pan-European venture capital firm, Nauta Capital. The funding round also witnessed participation from Act VC, in addition to continued support from existing investors Playfair Capital and Entrepreneur First.
Spotted Zebra offers a dynamic workforce management platform that empowers large corporations to identify and address skill gaps within their workforce through a combination of strategic hiring, succession planning, and employee retraining.
The contemporary workplace is experiencing a rapid transformation, marked by evolving skill requirements. Many skills and occupations are becoming obsolete, while new, essential skills are emerging, presenting a challenge for businesses seeking to meet these shifting demands. Globally, a staggering 77% of companies report the presence of skills gaps. Alarming predictions from the World Economic Forum estimate that failing to address these gaps could result in losses of USD 11.5 trillion for companies across the G20 countries over the next decade.
Ian Monk, CEO and Co-Founder of Spotted Zebra, shared the company’s foundational principle, stating, “Our core belief is that employees are happier and more productive when their unique skills – their superpowers – are aligned with roles that use and develop these talents.”
Spotted Zebra provides a definitive solution to bridge these capability gaps by focusing on the actual skills of employees. Leveraging a blend of artificial intelligence, assessment science, and human expertise, the platform assists organizations in discerning the precise skill sets required for specific roles and subsequently identifying individuals possessing these skills. This not only broadens the talent pool but also enhances employee performance when compared to traditional recruitment methods.
Furthermore, Spotted Zebra aids companies in optimizing their retraining programs by seamlessly matching job vacancies with employees whose positions are being phased out. This strategic approach improves employee retention and reduces costs.
The secured funding will empower Spotted Zebra to expand its platform into diverse industries and markets, attract top-tier talent, and enhance its product offerings, with the ambitious goal of facilitating 10 million individuals in finding opportunities at leading global employers by 2030.
Established in 2020, Spotted Zebra has already earned the trust of several FTSE100 companies, and in 2022, it was honored with the Gold Award in the Candidate Assessment category at the In-House Recruitment Awards for its groundbreaking hiring solution developed in partnership with AWE.