A16z Invests in UK’s Dex to Expand AI-Powered Recruitment Platform
▼ Summary
– Andreessen Horowitz has invested $3.1 million in Dex, a London-based AI recruitment platform founded by former Atomico executives Paddy Lambros and Harry Uglow.
– Dex operates as an AI-powered talent agent, managing the entire recruitment process through voice interactions, eliminating the need for resumes or cover letters.
– The platform uses large language models like OpenAI, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s Llama to match candidates with roles, continuously updating its approach with AI advancements.
– Currently in closed beta with UK tech firms, Dex plans to expand its engineering and marketing teams for a public launch later this year, targeting both active and passive job seekers.
– Dex aims to enhance long-term retention by aligning candidates with roles that match their goals, automating recruitment tasks to save time for candidates and provide employers with precisely matched talent.
Andreessen Horowitz has invested in Dex, a London-based AI recruitment platform aiming to transform how companies and candidates connect through advanced matching technology. The startup, founded by former Atomico executives Paddy Lambros and Harry Uglow, recently secured $3.1 million in pre-seed funding led by a16z’s Speedrun fund alongside Concept Ventures and prominent angel investors.
Dex differentiates itself by functioning as an AI-powered talent agent that handles the entire recruitment process through voice interactions. Unlike traditional job boards, the platform engages candidates in detailed conversations to understand their skills, experience, and career aspirations. It then actively scouts opportunities, manages applications, and even assists with interview preparation and salary negotiations—eliminating the need for resumes or cover letters.
For companies, Dex analyzes hiring needs through discussions with recruitment teams, combining this with public data to identify ideal matches. The system leverages multiple large language models, including OpenAI, Google’s Gemini, and Meta’s Llama, continuously updating its approach based on the latest AI advancements.
Currently in closed beta with several UK tech firms—including two unicorns—Dex plans to expand its engineering and marketing teams ahead of a public launch later this year. The platform targets both active job seekers and passive candidates, monitoring niche opportunities across the market and alerting users when relevant roles emerge.
Lambros emphasizes that Dex goes beyond transactional hiring, focusing instead on long-term retention by aligning candidates with roles that match their goals. “We’re helping companies keep top talent while empowering professionals to find work they truly value,” he noted. With its fresh funding, the startup aims to refine its UK operations before exploring international expansion.
By automating tedious recruitment tasks, Dex promises to save candidates hours of job searching while giving employers access to precisely matched talent—a potential game-changer in an industry increasingly dominated by AI tools.
(Source: TechCrunch)
