Background: The HR TECH Partnership was set up in London in 2016 to invest in People Tech startups. People TECH Fund I closed with two investments.
Mission: People TECH Fund II targets investments into growth stage tech companies that have a viable product or service specifically improving workplace/employee productivity and human capital performance. Data and predictive analytics underpin all investments as does the belief that disrupting traditional people practices and improving workplace productivity will require a more strategic use of technology.
Overview: Devyani Vaishampayan is the Managing Partner and Founder of HR TECH Partnerships.
Devyani’s heritage is that of an International and multi-sector Group HRD experienced in effectively leading large, diverse and multi- billion complex organisations through transformational change. This depth of experience delivers an excellent understanding of the realities of corporate life and her venture is able to make investment decisions around real/applicable solutions.
The lead investors in the HR TECH Partnership venture all have senior level HR experience and bring a depth of domain expertise and experience in the use of HR technologies. This unique set up means their connections and network give them not just an insight into emerging technologies, but also access to specialist, first in line deal flow. A natural corollary to this is their ability to access new marketing avenues and customer relationships for cutting edge digital HR products and services of the investee firms. People TECH Fund I investments include Rotageek and Motivii.
Some Lead Investors include: Helmut Schuster (Group HRD BP), Celia Baxter (NED Senior PLC, Ex Group HRD Bunzyl), Paul Raby, Group HRD, Balfour Beatty, Martin Sawkins (NED Wincanton and Scapa), Jill Shedden (Group Director HR Centrica Plc), Rolf Deusinger (Senior Advisor Miles Partnership).
The Opportunity: People Tech deal activity has grown consistently in the last 5 years and 2016 saw 15% more deals than 2015 (Source: CB Insights). People Tech is an underserved sector by VCs and there is a void between seed and growth stage capital, providing for strong and niche deal flow. The technologies of the 4th industrial age (AI/Cloud/Mobile) are creating a paradigm shift in the HR space and monolithic HR systems are no longer fit for purpose. Agile startups/SMEs are sought to fill the breach.
Headquarters: London, UK
Media Contacts: Ally Owen, Founder, Hoxton United, ally@hoxtonunited.com (07956 599931)