Veteran founders behind Babbel and WorkGenius launch Emerge Tech with backing from HTGF

HRtech startup Emerge Tech has received funding from  High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and the Heimatboost investment Berlin.

Founded in Berlin in 2024, Emerge Tech develops specialised AI agents that digitise and enhance the employer attractiveness of small and medium-sized businesses faster, more efficiently and more affordably than any agency service. 

The founding team includes Daniel Braun (CEO), who previously scaled the HR tech startup WorkGenius to £150 million in revenue in the US; Wolf Reiner Kriegler (CPO), an Employer branding pioneer and founder of the German Employer Branding Academy; and Thomas Holl, the co-founder of the language learning app Babbel and now the CTO of Emerge.

According to Braun:

“Our AI agents will create game-changing opportunities, finally enabling smaller teams to stand out as employers and reshape HR.“

Within Emerge AI’s agent offerings, Creative Carla defines your identity and message, while Channel Charly delivers them to the right channels based on data — precisely, measurably, and scalably. 

What was once only available to large corporations with big budgets is now accessible to medium-sized companies too, with measurable success: 

• 40 percent  better fit between people and organisation,
•  87  per cent lower costs compared to agencies, and
•  54  per cent less effort in everyday recruitment. 

Reiner Kriegler, Co-Founder and CPO of Emerge, shared:

“Employer branding has long been a privilege reserved for big brands. However, talent doesn't make decisions based on budget; authenticity wins. That's exactly where our AI comes in.”

Until the end of 2025, Emerge's focus will be on improving product quality and increasing user numbers with Carla and Charly, with the aim of creating a scalable, robust AI agent model. 

A Seed round is planned for late 2025, after which the focus will shift towards internationalisation. At the same time, a new line of agents is being developed to support the entire people experience, from onboarding to performance management.

Christian Arndt, Principal at HTGF, shared:

“The complementary and experienced founding team at Emerge immediately impressed us.

Their blend of HR expertise and technological know-how is precisely what is required to facilitate the long-term digital transformation of medium-sized businesses.”

The investment will fund the platform's development and Seed round preparation.

Lead image: Emerge Tech. Photo: uncredited.