Ashby Raises $50M to Grow AI Hiring Platform Used by OpenAI and Shopify
Ashby, a fast-growing startup known for its AI-powered hiring software, has raised $50 million in Series D funding. The company helps businesses manage their hiring process more efficiently — and it counts OpenAI, Shopify, and other major tech names among its customers.
Streamlining the Hiring Process
Based in San Francisco, Ashby offers a single platform that combines multiple recruitment tools. This includes an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), candidate relationship management (CRM), scheduling features, and deep analytics powered by large language models (LLMs).
Ashby’s platform is designed to replace several hiring tools that companies usually juggle. Over the past year, the company has more than doubled its customer base from 1,300 to over 2,700, and its annual recurring revenue grew by 135%.
Notable clients include OpenAI, Notion, Ramp, Cursor, Harvey.ai, and Shopify. The software is gaining traction with startups, mid-sized companies, and large enterprises alike.
Strong Investor Confidence
The latest funding round was co-led by Alkeon Capital and Lachy Groom, with participation from F-Prime, Elad Gil, Gaingels, and others. Ashby did not disclose its exact valuation but said it has doubled since its last funding round in 2023.
CEO and co-founder Benji Encz said most of the previous funding is still untouched. “We received strong interest from investors and decided to strengthen our cash position as we continue to grow,” he noted.
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Why Ashby Stands Out
Encz and co-founder Abhik Pramanik, who met while working at a construction tech startup, spent two years building Ashby before launching in 2020. They focused on creating a fully integrated solution — rather than relying on third-party tools — to deliver a seamless experience across the hiring process.
Key features include:
- Job posting across multiple platforms
- Smart screening questions for applicants
- Self-scheduling for interviews
- Personalized outreach for sourcing candidates
- A searchable database of over 650 million talent profiles
Ashby doesn’t just manage applicants — it also helps companies find top candidates who haven’t applied yet.
Built-In AI with a Human Touch
Ashby was early to integrate AI into its platform. According to Encz, AI usage within Ashby has grown by 50% in the last year. However, he emphasizes that humans remain involved in decision-making: “AI supports the process, but people still review and finalize choices.”
Focused on Product and Global Growth
Ashby plans to use the new funding to expand its AI features, improve customer support, and grow its talent community. The company operates remotely with 220 employees across 21+ countries and is focused on serving customers in North America and EMEA.
Mark McLaughlin of Alkeon Capital called Ashby an “intelligent hiring operating system” and said it’s well-positioned as companies rebuild their core systems with AI in mind.
“We believe Ashby is set to lead the way, not just as a modern ATS, but as a full-scale talent operating system,” he said.