## Dex: The UK Startup Revolutionizing Recruitment with AI, Backed by A16z
London-based startup Dex is aiming to reshape the recruitment landscape with its AI-powered “talent agent” and recruitment matchmaker. The company has secured $3.1 million in pre-seed funding, led by Andreessen Horowitz’s (a16z) Speedrun fund and Concept Ventures, with participation from prominent angel investors.
Founded by former Atomico employees, CTO Harry Uglow and CEO Paddy Lambros, Dex is designed to connect companies with the best talent while focusing on long-term retention. The platform, currently in closed beta, utilizes various AI techniques, including matchmaking and coaching, to help both candidates and companies find the perfect fit. Dex has already attracted around two dozen UK tech firms, including two notable unicorns, and plans a broader launch later this year.
The platform’s core functionality lies in its ability to understand candidates and companies on a deeper level. Dex engages with candidates through initial calls, gathering information about their experience, skills, and career aspirations. It then utilizes this data to assist candidates in planning their next career move, presenting them with relevant opportunities, and preparing them for interviews and even salary negotiations.
Dex differentiates itself by catering to both active and passive job seekers. Even if a candidate isn’t actively looking, Dex can monitor job postings across the web and alert them to specific roles at target companies. For active candidates, Dex streamlines the entire process from search to application.
According to Lambros, Dex functions more as an AI agent than a job board. It takes over tedious tasks like sifting through countless generic job postings, saving candidates significant time and effort. The platform also offers coaching for interviews and provides market data on compensation, empowering candidates to make informed decisions.
Behind the scenes, Dex relies on a multi-LLM architecture, utilizing OpenAI, Google (Gemini), and Meta (Llama) to adapt to the latest advancements in AI. Uglow emphasizes their commitment to constantly evaluating and switching providers to maintain optimal performance.
On the company side, Dex works closely with recruitment teams to understand their ideal candidate profiles. By combining data from hiring managers, candidates, and publicly available sources, Dex powers its recommendation systems to curate personalized matches.
With its recent funding injection, Dex plans to expand its engineering and marketing teams and launch publicly in the UK before expanding internationally.
“Hiring isn’t about filling seats – it’s about creating lasting partnerships that benefit employees and companies,” said Lambros. “With this funding, we’ll help companies retain top talent and empower employees to find work they love.”
As the recruitment industry increasingly adopts AI, Dex aims to provide a comprehensive platform that truly understands the needs of both candidates and employers, leading to better matches and improved retention rates. The company’s focus on personalized experiences and data-driven insights positions it as a potentially disruptive force in the ever-evolving world of talent acquisition.