uKnowva HRMS raises USD 0.5 million in Pre-Series A funding

uKnowva, a human capital management and HR technology platform, has raised USD 0.5 million in a Pre-Series A funding round backed by Parv Network, Growth 91, and Aapna Infotech. The investment marks the company’s first institutional capital raise after more than a decade of operating as a bootstrapped venture.

The company said the funds will support expansion of sales and marketing capabilities, strengthen its partner-led distribution network, and advance its artificial intelligence roadmap. It has already introduced tools such as AI Suggest, AI-based Analytics, and AI Genie, with more features in development.

Founded in 2010 by Abhay Talekar, Priyanka Bhor Jain, and Vicky Jain, uKnowva has grown steadily in a crowded HR technology market, competing with much larger global rivals while maintaining profitability. Its platform spans recruitment, onboarding, performance management, employee engagement, and workforce analytics.

Chief executive and co-founder Vicky Jain said the raise was significant not just for the capital but because the investors had been long-time customers and well-wishers. “Securing this Pre-Series A funding is a proud milestone for us,” he said. “Having been bootstrapped till date, we have scaled the company conservatively while ensuring profitability. This investment now allows us to take bigger and bolder bets that can fuel our growth in new directions.”

He added that the funds would be deployed with discipline. “Our aim is to spend this money wisely, keeping product excellence and profitability at the very core of our growth strategy, while continuing to deliver an intelligent, seamless experience to our customers,” he said.

Lead investor Piyush Jain, chief financial officer of Al Tasnim Enterprises and a backer through Parv Network, said uKnowva’s fundamentals set it apart. “As an investor I seek ventures that bring together innovation, scalability, strong business fundamentals, and founders deeply committed to their mission. uKnowva embodies all four pillars, which is why it stood out as an exceptional opportunity,” he said.

He added that the team’s ability to scale profitably positioned it well in a competitive sector. “We believe uKnowva is well on its way to becoming a category leader in HR technology, and we are excited to support Vicky and his team as they expand their footprint and accelerate their AI roadmap,” he said.

The funding comes at a time when businesses are prioritising digital-first workforce solutions. Organisations are seeking intelligent, automated systems to manage employee lifecycles, from recruitment and onboarding to engagement and retention. Analysts note that HR technology adoption has accelerated globally in the wake of the pandemic, with AI and automation now at the centre of transformation agendas.

uKnowva said its profitability, customer-first model and emphasis on lean scalability positioned it well to capitalise on this demand. Over the next 12 to 24 months, it plans to expand aggressively across Tier I and II Indian cities, broaden its partner ecosystem, and roll out new AI-driven features. Longer term, the company aims to become a preferred HCM provider for organisations worldwide, scaling internationally through its partner-led model.