Volta Ventures is a venture capital firm that offers seed & early stage VC for internet & software companies in the Benelux. The fund’s team, with active support from some 30 business angels, expects to make a substantial impact on every company it invests in by working with the founders and management to identify new markets and customers, hire senior talent, provide ongoing guidance and arrange further financing rounds. Volta Ventures has offices in Ghent and Amsterdam.

Volta Ventures

Peak is the early-stage VC fully backed by entrepreneurs. Based in Amsterdam, Berlin and Stockholm, Peak fiercely backs founders across Europe, particularly in the BeNeLux, DACH, and Nordics. Their EUR 66M fund is 100% financed and ran by experienced entrepreneurs - with the scars to prove it. Peak specializes in models, rather than specific industries or verticals. To date, they have more than a decade of experience in scaling marketplace, platform, and SaaS companies - both B2B and B2C - from Seed to Series A and beyond. Get in touch via http://peak.capital/contact

Peak

Whale

Whale is the knowledge and training platform that helps you centralize your processes, SOP's, policies and tribal knowledge so you can onboard and train your team faster.

Whale is a Belgian knowledge-sharing and employee training SaaS platform. Whale's platform allows businesses to convert their process and standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation into a channel for employee training and growth, further enhanced by integration with AI. The platform offers documentation solutions with over 100 templates for creating policies and procedures as well as a powerful editor and AI Assist feature to speed up the writing process. Additionally, the platform includes a training module that allows custom training flows, a Chrome extension for easy access to content, and unified search functionality. Finally, the platform provides tools for measuring team performance and ensuring consistency, such as automated quizzes, analytics, and expert reviews. Whale uses a subscription-based business model, with plans starting at USD 5 per user per month, for a minimum of five seats.

Distributed workforces require new solutions for office operations, HR, payment, and more.

Remote Work Infrastructure

Whale is a SaaS company that provides a knowledge sharing and training platform designed to help businesses systemize and scale their operations. Founded in 2020, the company offers a solution that allows organizations to centralize their processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and internal information in one place. Whale's platform enables companies to create playbooks for employee onboarding, training, and knowledge management.

Belgian Startup Whale Raises 2.5 Million Euros to Boost Knowledge Sharing and Employee Training for Companies Worldwide

Belgium's Whale raises €2.5 million to solve ‘leaky bucket syndrome’ issues in growing businesses

Belgian startup Whale raises €1 million for its knowledge and training platform for SMEs

Whale Raises €2.5 Million in Funding

The Good and Bad for 2024

Whale raises € 2.5 M to boost knowledge sharing and employee training

Whale.io: Product Review

Belgian startup Whale raises 2.5 million euros to boost knowledge sharing and employee training for companies worldwide.

Whale lands EUR 1 million in funding from Volta Ventures and Peak to help businesses deliver better employee onboarding and training

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COCA Wallet and Whale Join Forces to Revolutionise Crypto Rewards

Whale is a Belgian knowledge-sharing and employee training SaaS platform. Whale's platform allows businesses to convert their process and standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation into a channel for employee training and growth, further enhanced by integration with AI. The platform offers documentation solutions with over 100 templates for creating policies and procedures as well as a powerful editor and AI Assist feature to speed up the writing process. Additionally, the platform includes a training module that allows custom training flows, a Chrome extension for easy access to content, and unified search functionality. Finally, the platform provides tools for measuring team performance and ensuring consistency, such as automated quizzes, analytics, and expert reviews. Whale uses a subscription-based business model, with plans starting at USD 5 per user per month, for a minimum of five seats.Key customers and partnershipsWhale's customers primarily consist of SMEs and entrepreneurs, with US customers accounting for over 70% of its total customer base. The platform’s key customers include Avior Wealth, Evergreen Media, MortgageBanc Fairway, Kidwell, Direct, and Sales Boomerang.Funding and financialsIn <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18038">April 2023</a>, raised EUR 2.5 million (~USD 2.76 million) from existing investors Volta Ventures and Peak. The fresh funds were earmarked to increase headcount and expand the company's product roadmap for SMEs and entrepreneurs. It also planned to further innovate and expand its product offerings in Europe and the US. The company has experienced revenue growth of 280% YoY, with a customer base spanning 15 countries and a team that has grown 5x.Key competitors: None comparable ( Whale’s centralized knowledge database and workforce performance, onboarding, and training offering is unique)

ActivTrak is a cloud-based productivity monitoring software provider. The platform offers data and analytics which can be used to detect workplace productivity gaps. The platform collects data from employee activity logs and computer screenshots, although it does not log keystrokes or record video of a user’s screen. ActivTrak also facilitates a range of tasks for admins such as blocking websites, flagging suspicious activities, IP address connections, and monitoring web, and app traffic.Other features offered include productivity reports and coaching, headcount and workload management and personal insights. In November 2023, the company added capabilities to measure the usage of AI tools, automatically detecting and classifying the use of such tools and websites to help organizations manage and improve AI adoption across the workforce.Activtrak generates revenue via monthly subscriptions (USD 10 and USD 17) per user, and custom pricing for larger enterprises.Key customers and partnershipsAs of April 2024, over 9,500 enterprises used ActivTrak’s platform, notably including Allstate, asembia and Nobu. ActivTrak closed 2023 with a 40% growth in its customer base (adding ~2,200 customers).Funding and financialsIn November 2020, ActivTrak raised USD 50 million in a Series B round led by Sapphire Ventures. Sapphire Ventures CEO and managing director joined ActivTrak’s board as part of the deal. The new proceeds were earmarked for scaling global sales and marketing campaigns, expansion of its platform using AI driven analytics, and improving integration with its technology partners.

ActivTrak

inFeedo is a people predictive analytics company based in India. The Y Combinator-backed startup founded in 2013 is currently focused on “Amber” (launched in 2016), an AI-enabled bot that helps manage employee engagement, predict attrition, and get a pulse on company culture in real time. The company also offers AI-driven exit surveys and analytics to improve retention.Key customers and partnershipsAs of April 2024, over 700,000 users across 250 organizations utilized inFeedo’s platform. Notable clients included GE Healthcare, Puma, Tata Group, and Lenovo.Funding and financialsIn its latest funding round (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9099">March 2022</a>) inFeedo raised USD 12 million in Series A funding led by Jungle Ventures, reportedly tripling its valuation from less than 18 months ago. The fresh funds will be used for its second employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) buyback for all employees and its go-to-market activities in North America. Further, the company claims it has achieved annual revenue of USD 1.6 million as of November 2020.

inFeedo

Donut provides solutions to keep employees engaged with casual conversations. Its first product, Intros, makes connections between teammates via Slack to emulate quick meetups and in-person introductions at work, which are now virtual.Donut’s new product, Watercooler, launched in October 2020. It attempts to reinvent the micro-interactions between employees at the office watercooler online. The product will integrate with Slack, where a newly-designated channel for Watercooler will be created. The product will post questions automatically within the customers’ desired frequency and pre-selected topics.The company uses a freemium subscription model with paid plans starting at approximately USD 2 per user per month.Key customers and partnershipsThe company claims it has supported four million connections (one million since the Covid-19 pandemic) across its 12,000 customers, including companies such as Okta, Zapier, Slack, The New York Times, and Invision.Funding and financialsDonut announced a USD 12 million funding round led by Accel, along with its new product, Watercooler. The USD 12 million raised was accumulated over multiple rounds before the Covid-19 pandemic, with proceeds earmarked for product development.

Donut

Matter is an employee feedback platform founded by Brett Hellman. Hellman was the founder of messaging app “Hall”, which was founded in 2011 and later sold to Atlassian for USD 20 million in 2015.Matter uses 360-degree feedback to evaluate skills in employees which are linked to career success. The platform links skills such as influence, inclusiveness, empathy, resourcefulness, and multitasking to evaluations. Matter is currently available in beta.

Matter

Mesh is a Y Combinator-backed company that allows employees to set goals, track tasks, share feedback, and engage in one-on-ones. The company also offers an AI coach (Mesh Maven) to help employees stay in line with their key objectives, improve the quality of feedback provided and summarize 1:1s. Mesh also offers nudges and surveys to improve employee engagement alongside relevant analytics.The company generates revenue via monthly subscriptions per user, priced at USD 4 (Base) and USD 7 (Premium).&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsAs of April 2024, the company served over 100+ enterprises, including NTT Data, Grant Thornton and Groww. The platform also offers integrations with third-party software such as Gmail, Microsoft Teams and Slack, among others.Funding and financialsIn its most recent funding round (<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9768">April 2022</a>) Mesh raised USD 11 million in Series A funding led by RTP Global. The fresh funds were earmarked to expand its global footprint across the US and APAC regions. In line with this, the company planned to expand its headcount across the engineering and sales departments.

Mesh

Companies offering tools to infer employee morale (through surveys and quick assessments) and productivity, including functions for goal setting, review, and feedback.

Companies that offer the entire spectrum of HR tools including payroll processing benefits, onboarding, compliance, analytics, scheduling etc

Companies providing either standalone or combined payroll and benefits services to businesses.

EoR - Companies that assist businesses in hiring distributed teams globally in compliance with foreign labor laws. EoRs become the legal employer of offshore employees. Solutions include payroll, benefits, and taxes.

PEO - Companies that offer similar services to EoRs but establish a co-employment arrangement with businesses and do not become the legal employer.

Companies offering tools such as chatbots, surveys, games, and other activities to infer, assess and improve employee morale and sentiment.

Companies that provide a centralized space for employees to access internal and external resources, enterprise applications, and enable workers to communicate across departments, and stay up to date on organizational announcements.

Solutions in this industry hub are predominantly offered under a B2B SaaS model

Employee and performance management solutions use AI/Ml to infer engagement insights and sentiment analysis

Offers tools for companies to hire contractors globally, and conduct employee and performance management

Whale is a SaaS company that provides a knowledge sharing and training platform designed to help businesses systemize and scale their operations. Founded in 2020, the company offers a solution that allows organizations to centralize their processes, standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and internal information in one place. Whale's platform enables companies to create playbooks for employee onboarding, training, and knowledge management.
The system features a browser plugin that delivers learning content within existing business applications, allowing employees to access information in the context of their work. Whale's WYSIWYG editor allows teams to record screens, produce step-by-step video tutorials, and adapt content based on job function, department, or location. The platform also includes an AI-powered assistant to help generate new procedures or policies based on keywords.
Whale has experienced significant growth since its launch, with a reported 280% year-on-year revenue increase as of April 2023. The company serves customers across 15 countries, with over 70% of its customer base located in the US as of April 2023. Whale's platform is particularly focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), managed service providers (MSPs), system firms, and real estate agents.
Key customers and partnerships
Whale's customer base spans various industries, with a particular focus on service companies with knowledge workers and organizations that use frameworks such as the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) or Scaling Up.
Whale has integrated its platform with several third-party applications to enhance functionality. These integrations include Google Drive, OneDrive, Microsoft Teams, Zapier, Google Chrome, and Slack. The company also offers SCIM connectivity for Azure Active Directory and API access for custom integrations, allowing businesses to connect their existing tools and systems with Whale's platform.

Filtered is a skill-based hiring platform that leverages AI technology to revolutionize the technical hiring process. The company's core offering is a system that assesses candidates' fit for job roles, teams, and companies through capabilities-based hiring methods. Filtered's platform employs proprietary remote desktop technology to enable candidates to complete assessments for various technical skills, including cloud-related competencies. The company's services include candidate authentication, fraud detection, video interviews, and code challenges, all designed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of potential hires. Filtered's technology aims to overcome common challenges in tech hiring by focusing on practical skills rather than traditional credentials. The platform also offers reporting tools to help employers monitor hiring-related performance metrics and identify procedural gaps.
Key customers and partnerships
Filtered's client base includes several high-profile tech companies. The platform was being utilized by prominent companies such as Lyft, Cengage, Facebook, and Informatica for their technical hiring needs. The company's focus on skill-based hiring has attracted employers seeking to move beyond traditional hiring methods that rely heavily on academic credentials.

Filtered.ai

Metaview.ai is an AI recruiting technology company that focuses on improving the quality and efficiency of interview processes. The company's core product leverages advanced large language models, including OpenAI's GPT-4, to provide AI-powered interview summarization and a conversational interface for interviews. Metaview's technology eliminates the need for manual note-taking during interviews, allowing recruiters to focus on engaging with candidates. The platform offers features such as Metaview Answers, which enables recruiters to ask questions about candidates and receive instant summaries of key details, exact data points, and underlying insights based on interview discussions. This AI-enabled model helps recruiters extract data from unstructured, information-dense interviews, saving time and improving decision-making. Metaview's customers save an average of 5-10 hours per week per recruiter and experience a 20% reduction in time-to-hire due to higher-quality interviews. The company was founded in 2018 by Siadhal Magos and Shahriar Tajbakhsh.

Metaview

TalentGuard, founded in 2009, is a talent management company that offers an AI-powered workforce intelligence platform called WorkforceGPT. The company's platform helps organizations uncover and foster talent within their workforce, simplifying complex information and making it actionable. TalentGuard's technology focuses on assessing employees' current skills and proficiency levels, developing those skills, and cataloging skill data to determine successful career paths and succession proposals. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to identify and develop employees' skills and proficiencies, which can increase productivity and improve work quality.
In November 2023, TalentGuard introduced two significant enhancements to WorkforceGPT: Skill Builder and Skill-Based Learning Link Builder. Skill Builder generates technical, leadership, and soft skills with comprehensive definitions and behavioral indicators across four proficiency levels. The Skill-Based Learning Link Builder identifies relevant learning resources, bridging the gap between skill development and practical learning opportunities. These tools aim to help organizations customize and expand their skill libraries, fostering a more dynamic approach to talent development.
TalentGuard's software provides organizations with insights about employee proficiencies, qualifications, experiences, certifications, and work-style preferences. The company's solutions are designed to help businesses reinvest in their employees, offering tools for reskilling and upskilling existing staff. TalentGuard's platform also assists in ensuring workforce compliance with industry regulations and promotes diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.

TalentGuard

Talkpush is a recruitment automation platform that leverages chat interfaces and conversational AI to streamline high-volume hiring processes. Founded in 2014, the company's software enables employers to automate engagement with candidates at scale, handling millions of conversations with job seekers worldwide. Talkpush's technology allows for both automated and human-assisted interactions, with the majority of candidate conversations being fully AI-driven. The platform integrates with leading applicant tracking systems and supports various communication channels including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram.
Talkpush's product offerings include automated workflows that eliminate up to 95% of top-of-funnel manual tasks in recruitment. The system allows candidates to bypass traditional email and web procedures, reducing the number of face-to-face interviews recruiters need to conduct. Features include the ability to capture voice, video, and other rich media from candidates, as well as tools for recruiters to set up automated shortlisting, rejection, and interview scheduling based on predetermined criteria. In October 2020, Talkpush reported that its users saw a 250% increase in productivity, as measured by hires per recruiter.
The company has expanded its services to include an Automated Onboarding platform, helping new hires prepare for their first day on the job. Talkpush's technology was used to automate more than 10 million conversations with candidates in 2019, surpassing any other recruitment platform globally. The company operates primarily in emerging markets, with a focus on Southeast Asia and Latin America.
Key customers and partnerships
Talkpush serves leading employers in the retail, business process outsourcing (BPO), and staffing sectors. Notable clients include Walmart, McDonald's, Adecco, Concentrix, Teleperformance, and Accenture. The company has also worked with VXI Philippines to implement recruitment chatbots on Instagram.
In April 2020, Talkpush secured funding from Latin Leap, a Colombia-based venture capital studio, to accelerate its growth in the Latin American market. The company has customers in over 10 countries, including Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. Talkpush has partnered with various companies to enhance its offerings.

Talkpush

Worklytics is a B2B analytics company specializing in employee engagement and workplace optimization. The company offers a platform that analyzes anonymous collaboration data across various tools such as Office 365, Google Calendar, Drive, Slack, Zoom, GitHub, and JIRA to provide insights into team effectiveness and work patterns. Worklytics' technology focuses on improving how employees spend time, coordinate tasks, and balance individual work with collaboration. The platform utilizes techniques like organizational network analysis (ONA) and predictive analytics to gain insights into team collaboration while prioritizing employee privacy. Worklytics does not store or analyze any work content, instead using only exhaust/log data to understand workflow and collaboration patterns. The company's services are adaptable to diverse working environments, including remote and hybrid setups. Worklytics offers real-time insights through its DataStream work data pipeline and provides organizational benchmarks for companies to compare their metrics with industry peers. The platform also aims to drive positive organizational change through targeted nudges to leaders and managers. As of February 2024, Worklytics operates with a team of nine employees and is based in Seattle, Washington. The company was part of the Y-Combinator Winter 2018 batch.
Key customers and partnerships
Worklytics has established a clientele that includes prominent companies such as Uber, Boston Dynamics, and Nutanix. The company serves clients across the US, Canada, and other remote work setups. Worklytics integrates with popular tools including Google Workspace, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Salesforce to collect collaboration data and provide comprehensive insights into workforce dynamics.

Worklytics

Companies that offer AI-powered tools to support interview-related activities, including interview note-taking, candidate screening, skills testing, and other behavioral insights

Companies that develop AI-powered tools to streamline skill management tasks, including developing training flows, managing employee learning, and creating personalized training and coaching programs. This segment also includes companies that develop GenAI assistants to handle employee queries related to the organization and related processes

Companies that utilize GenAI and machine learning to generate analytics, insights, and dashboards related to human resource management, including employee lifecycle, recruitment, retention, behavioral and social insights, inclusion, compensation, rewards, workforce engagement

Companies that develop AI solutions to manage the employee feedback cycle, including feedback cycle setting, goal setting, developing feedback surveys, analysis of surveys, maintaining job descriptions, and career progression mapping. This segment also includes companies that utilize AI tools to analyze and maintain workplace diversity and inclusiveness

Companies that offer AI-powered tools to recruitment-related activities, including creating job descriptions, sourcing talent via various channels such as social media, carrying out background checks, candidate tracking, and engaging with potential candidates. This segment also includes freelance recruitment platforms that utilize AI-powered tools to match candidates with suitable roles

HR Tech soltion providers use GenAI to enhance their solutions

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