Emmanuel Okeleji and Deji Lana. Image Credits: SeamlessHR
Nigerian human resource and payroll technology startup, SeamlessHR, has closed its extended Series A funding round with an extra $9 million. To put the investor confidence surrounding SeamlessHR’s vision into perspective, the extended Series A round was led by Helios Digital Ventures and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
SeamlessHR was founded by Emmanuel Okeleji and Deji Lana in 2018. Since then, the startup has made its mark in the HR and payroll software market intended to serve medium to large enterprises in Africa. Over 2000 businesses leverage SeamlessHR’s technology for managing HR and payroll processes for approximately 300,000 employees across 20 African countries. According to Emmanuel Okeleji, CEO of SeamlessHR, the funding marks a crucial step in the company’s mission to “revolutionize workforce productivity” and support Africa’s economic growth.“
This investment allows us to strengthen our infrastructure, ensuring we maintain high standards of service as we expand into new markets. We are committed to delivering innovative solutions that help businesses optimize their most critical asset: their people.” said Okeleji.
SeamlessHR plans to channel a considerable portion of its funding towards enhancing its range of technological capabilities. One key area of focus is the integration of generative AI into its array of offerings. This will enable businesses to deploy its sophisticated tools to streamlining HR and payroll operations. The company gets ready to accelerate its Design Partnership Programme, which will make co-creating customizable solutions in collaboration with customers to address specific industry needs possible.
Another pivot of SeamlessHR’s strategy involves the development of embedded finance products. These offerings aim to provide responsible credit solutions, allowing employees to use their employment status as collateral to access essential services such as housing, education, and mobility.
“Global disruptions, including the pandemic and rising inflation, have exacerbated financial hardships for many African workers. Our embedded finance products are designed to address these challenges, enabling access to basic needs and contributing to poverty alleviation at scale.” Okeleji added.
Helios Digital Ventures and the Gates Foundation join a pool of earlier investors who believe in, and support SeamlessHR’s ambitions. The company seem to hold a strong allure for high-profile backers, highlighting its strong growth trajectory and its potential to become a global player in HR technology.
The additional funding will drive SeamlessHR’s expansion into all English-speaking African countries, further establishing its position as a pan-African leader in workforce management solutions. Since its inception, Seamless HR has designed its offerings with an outlook on Africa, hoping to expand and adapt its innovative solutions to the various needs of businesses across Africa. Moreover, SeamlessHR is in a good position to achieve this goal based on the leadership team’s capacity and commitment to innovation, along with considerable investor backing.
