Video Interviewing Startup Willo Raises $1.8M to Expand Its Operations in US, Australia
Willo, a video interviewing company, has recently raised over £1.5 million ($1.8 million) in a funding round led by 1818 Venture Capital, a Guernsey-based early-stage tech investment firm, bringing its total raised to $2.5 million.
The cash injection – from high net-worth investors including ex-Freeserve PLC COO Mark Danby, ex-BT talent chief Susan McRoberts, and entrepreneur and Santander Global Head of Digital Mobility Solutions Jose Ignacio Puente – brings the overall investment in the HRTech firm to more than £1 million.
The company plans to expand its operations in the US. It is also planning to open a new headquarters in New York City. In addition, the firm expects to double its headcount for global recruitment. According to a report, it also plans to bring on 25 new international employees to “drive further growth in the UK and Asian markets.
Co-founded by Euan Cameron and Andrew Wood in 2018, Willo aims to connect people with opportunities using technology. The startup helps candidates and recruiters by simplifying the hiring process using its candidate screening platform. It removes bias and increases inclusivity with a structured and consistent approach, creating more opportunities for everyone. The platform is accessible on any device, anywhere in the world. It is also committed to positively impacting the environment and donates 1% of its revenues to carbon removal programs globally through Stripe Climate.
Speaking about the capital raised, Co-founder of Willo, Euan Cameron, said: “Traditional hiring methods are broken; businesses today know that they need to look beyond degrees and qualifications to find the best people – a video is a far better way to get to know someone than an application form, cover letter or CV. How businesses hire staff has changed forever, and as we prepare to move beyond the pandemic, we find ourselves in an environment where distance, borders and countries no longer matter. Talent is the only currency that matters. This investment comes at an exciting and crucial time for Willo as we target further expansion in key markets – including the USA and Australia – and the calibre of investors shows the faith that exists in what we are doing.”
Cameron further said: “Willo unlocks the potential to recruit in any market unbound by geographical barriers, ensuring businesses grow with the right people for part-time, permanent or project-based roles. The investment we have received demonstrates the belief in that model, and we are tremendously excited to grow our team in new markets to help businesses grow with the right people. An increasing number of evangelists are spreading the word about our platform and how it takes the pain out of the hiring process by providing so much more than a CV or cover letter ever could.”
Headquartered in Glasgow, Scotland, Willo has partnered with Teamtailor, Greenhouse and Workable, and Zapier to automate the process. Among a raft of anticipated improvements to the platform’s tech, it is launching one-way video messaging in Q4 to enable businesses and candidates to continue the conversation beyond the initial interview. The service is free at first, but companies begin to pay once they reach a certain number of interviews. Jobseekers are not charged.
Marc Cohen, Partner at 1818 Venture Capital, who will now join the company’s board, has commented: “Willo has an incredible team, founders we truly believe in and a rapidly growing service that has found product-market fit. We have been incredibly impressed by what the company has achieved so far and are proud to lead this round and support Willo on its exceptional growth journey.”
Richard Avery-Wright, Founding Partner of 1818 Venture Capital, added: “For obvious reasons, the adoption of both asynchronous and distributed working and hiring practices has accelerated over the last few years. We are still early in the adoption curve for many novel solutions, and most businesses are yet to adapt and reap the benefits of these new approaches.”
In 2020, Willo had raised £250,000 (~$320k) in a seed funding round led by 1818 Venture Capital. The company’s board members, including Steve Perry, Stefan Ciecierski and Peter Preston, also participated in this round.
