Borderless AI secures $32 million to challenge HR software giants with its AI-powered platform

A smart new start-up is betting that HR departments will be the next big arena for business AI, introducing a unique search engine that aims to change the way companies manage their work.

Unlimited AIwhich came out of stealth last year, announced today the release of HRGPT pricea free AI-powered search engine that allows companies to query their internal HR data based on labor laws and regulations.

The company also raised $5 million as part of its latest funding round, with participation from Cohere co-founders Aidan Gomez and Ivan Zhang, bringing its total funding to $32 million.

“Each HR department will have AI assistants that manage different areas of HR,” said Willson Cross, co-founder and CEO of Borderless AI, in an interview with VentureBeat. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative.”

How Borderless AI’s HRGPT is changing workforce management

The Toronto-based startup is positioning itself to compete with HR software developers like Work day and ADP with a focus on AI-driven solutions. Its platform already counts several multinational companies as customers, including Dunlop Sporting Goodswhich uses technology to manage employees in 17 offices around the world.

Unlike general-purpose AI chatbots, HRGPT combines real-time web searches with access to company information and unique HR knowledge. The system can handle everything from creating employment contracts to tracking leave requests and managing international reimbursements.

“Unlike ChatGPT, we have real-time web searches. When a customer asks HRGPT a question, it searches the web for real-time search results with the specified keyword,” Cross told VentureBeat. The platform also includes and PricewaterhouseCoopers stock price for labor law expertise.

Money from HereCo-founders point to a growing interest in AI-based business applications. While consumer AI tools such as ChatGPT have captured the public’s attention, Cross believes the adoption of AI will come from businesses.

“Over the next two to three years, it’s going to be businesses that are working and starting to bring AI to their organizations,” he said. “HR is one that has many use cases.”

The Borderless AI approach shows how AI companies are increasingly expanding into other industries rather than trying to develop tools for the job. Similar focused companies include Harvey AI in legal technology and Sierra in customer service.

Building a billion dollar HR technology company with AI at its core

The company’s ambitious vision includes solutions for HR challenges such as payroll management and employee analytics. Cross expressed his desire to create a billion dollar company with less than 50 employees using AI heavily in their work.

However, Borderless AI faces significant challenges, including prioritizing potential needs among customer needs. The company must also maintain the accuracy and compliance of its HR functions, especially in complex matters such as employment contracts and international payroll.

The startup’s success could indicate whether AI-specific tools can compete successfully with enterprise software developers who are racing to add AI capabilities to existing products. So far, early customers seem to be convinced: Unlimited AI says its AI assistants work around the clock on its customers.