Comp, a São Paulo-based HR technology startup, has secured $17.25 million in a Series A funding round led by Silicon Valley heavyweight Khosla Ventures. This marks the venture capital firm's inaugural investment in a Brazilian company. As part of the deal, Khosla general partner Keith Rabois has joined Comp's board of directors.
The startup, founded in late 2022 by Christophe Gerlach and Pedro Bobrow, is building an AI-powered platform designed to automate core human resources functions such as recruitment, compensation policy, and performance review systems. Comp's stated long-term goal is to create fully autonomous AI agents capable of displacing both traditional HR software and consultancy firms.
A Hybrid Model to Train AI
Currently, Comp operates a hybrid service model. Alongside its software, it provides "forward-deployed" experts—former HR executives—who work directly with client companies to design strategies. According to CEO Christophe Gerlach, these professionals are not consultants but extensions of the client's HR team.
Critically, this human-led work serves as the training data for Comp's AI systems. "Our forward-deployed HR execs do all the work manually at first, and then they use that work to train the AI how to think in best practices," Gerlach explained. The process is intended to gradually increase the AI's autonomy.
Targeting a Gap in the Brazilian Market
Gerlach stated that the founders chose to launch in Brazil because many companies in the country lack sophisticated HR software. This presented an opportunity to introduce a new, automated model from the outset rather than competing with entrenched platforms like Workday.
The strategy has gained significant traction. Comp's client roster already includes major Brazilian unicorns and tech leaders such as Nubank, QuintoAndar, and Creditas. "Pretty much every unicorn in Brazil," Gerlach noted, is now a client.
Positioning and Future Expansion
Comp positions itself as a direct AI alternative to established compensation consultancies like Mercer, Korn Ferry, and Willis Towers Watson, as well as global HR platforms such as Rippling. Gerlach summarised the ambition succinctly: "Rippling sells software to junior HR teams to make them more productive. We become the HR team."
Buoyed by its success in Brazil and the new capital, Comp is now planning an expansion into the United States and other international markets. The Series A round also saw participation from existing investors Kaszek and Canary, alongside new backers Abstract Ventures and Endeavor Catalyst.