REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 1, 2025 — Wisq, a pioneering force in the realm of Agentic HR, has successfully raised $15 million in a funding round led by existing investors Norwest Venture Partners, Shasta Ventures, and True Ventures. This significant financial boost is set to propel Wisq’s mission of transforming human resources into an AI-first, yet deeply human-centric domain. As part of this strategic move, Wisq has also unveiled HRLM, the first large language model tailored specifically for the intricate and policy-driven world of enterprise HR.
The announcement comes as Wisq continues to redefine HR practices by integrating advanced AI capabilities. HRLM is engineered for precision, compliance, and efficiency, offering solutions across various HR functions such as service delivery, policy enforcement, performance management, and employee relations. The model promises to deliver these services at a significantly reduced cost compared to traditional AI models.
Introducing HRLM: A Game Changer in HR Technology
HRLM stands as a testament to Wisq’s commitment to innovation. Designed to enhance the capabilities of Wisq’s AI HR Generalist, Harper, HRLM provides the speed and accuracy essential for meeting the complex demands of modern HR teams. Jim Barnett, Wisq’s CEO and Co-Founder, emphasized the model’s unique position in the market, stating,
“The future of AI in HR isn’t a chatbot. It’s a colleague. We built HRLM because HR requires better than general-purpose AI — and because the work HR does is too important to be handled generically.”
In conjunction with HRLM, Wisq has introduced Hurdle, the industry’s first benchmark for evaluating AI performance on HR-specific tasks. HRLM’s performance matches that of the most advanced reasoning models, such as OpenAI o3, while offering faster results and cost efficiency.
Funding to Fuel Expansion and Innovation
The $15 million funding will be instrumental in furthering Wisq’s AI and platform development. It will also support the expansion of Wisq’s engineering and go-to-market teams, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of AI-driven HR solutions. This development follows Wisq’s consistent efforts to enhance HR operations, automate service delivery, and significantly reduce workloads, thereby improving the overall employee experience.
Founded in 2022 by the team behind Glint, Wisq has rapidly established itself as a leader in Agentic HR. The company’s innovative approach has already attracted $55 million in funding from top venture capital firms, underscoring the industry’s confidence in Wisq’s vision and capabilities.
The Implications for HR and the Future
The introduction of HRLM and the additional funding highlight a pivotal moment for the HR industry. As companies increasingly seek to balance automation with human-centric approaches, Wisq’s solutions offer a blueprint for achieving this equilibrium. The move represents a broader trend towards integrating AI into HR in a manner that enhances rather than replaces human interaction.
Experts in the field suggest that Wisq’s advancements could set new standards for HR operations, particularly in terms of efficiency and employee satisfaction. By leveraging AI to handle routine tasks, HR professionals can focus more on strategic initiatives and fostering a positive workplace culture.
Looking ahead, Wisq aims to continue its trajectory of innovation and leadership in the HR tech space. With the support of its investors and the introduction of groundbreaking technologies like HRLM, the company is well-positioned to lead the charge in redefining how businesses approach human resources.
For more information on Wisq and its transformative HR solutions, visit www.wisq.com.