Bengaluru-based conversational AI startup Hunar.AI has raised ₹40 crore ($4.2 million) in a Series A funding round led by Blume Ventures to scale its agentic AI platform for frontline hiring. The round also saw participation from Hyderabad Angels Fund, Together Fund, Seedstars, AVNM Ventures, and founders of PhysicsWallah and MediaMint. Founded in 2022 by Krishna Khandelwal and Shantanu Bhattacharyya, Hunar.AI focuses on automating hiring and workforce management for frontline employees.
Hunar.AI builds conversational AI agents that automate HR workflows such as calling prospective employees, scheduling interviews, onboarding, training, and retention. These AI agents support communication in over 20 languages, including regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada, enabling enterprises to manage large frontline workforces across multiple locations. The startup targets businesses facing challenges in coordinating high-volume hiring, especially during peak seasons or expansions, by reducing manual effort and improving efficiency.
The funding round underscores growing investor interest in AI-driven HR solutions that address the complexities of frontline workforce management. Hunar.AI’s approach is notable for combining voice AI with multilingual capabilities to serve diverse worker populations. This positions the startup alongside other AI firms innovating in recruitment automation, a sector gaining traction as companies seek scalable solutions to manage large, distributed workforces effectively.
Hunar.AI plans to deploy the fresh capital to enhance its AI technology and expand its market reach. The startup aims to deepen its presence in India’s frontline hiring segment, which involves thousands of workers across multiple cities and industries. The company’s multilingual voice AI platform is a key differentiator as it continues to onboard new enterprise clients.