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NGA

Category: AI in HR & Talent

A 'third-generation' AI recruitment platform that utilizes a proprietary database of 5.5 million companies to enable direct communication between employers and candidates, bypassing traditional agencies. NGA was founded in 2021. The company is led by Alex Wang. Based in Tokyo, Japan. Team size: 20-50. Total funding raised: ¥1,000,000,000+. Latest round: Series A, Undisclosed, 2024-11, led by BAI Capital. Key investors include ["BAI Capital","Bertelsmann","Yunqi Partners","GOLDEN EGG Ventures","KSK Angel Fund (Keisuke Honda)"].

Founded
2021
Headquarters
Tokyo, Japan
Team size
20-50
Total funding
¥1,000,000,000+

Value proposition

Drastically reduces recruitment costs (up to 90% compared to agency fees) and time-to-hire by facilitating direct chat and AI-driven automated screening and matching.

Products and solutions

["HelloBoss: Flagship AI recruitment mobile app and web platform.","HelloData: A proprietary database covering 5.5 million Japanese companies with AI-estimated headcount and basic corporate data.","Global Remote Hire: A cross-border hiring solution for sourcing international AI talent (in partnership with Deel).","Pet: A secondary lifestyle app providing comprehensive services for pet owners, including a community and adoption information."]

Unique value

Combines a massive 'pre-populated' company database with a direct-chat model, eliminating the information gap and high fees typically associated with recruitment agencies in Japan.

Target customer

Job seekers (mid-career professionals and students) and hiring companies ranging from SMEs to large global enterprises seeking cost-efficient, transparent recruitment.

Industries served

["Human Resources (HR Tech)","Information Technology","General Recruitment","SaaS / Enterprise Software"]

Technology advantage

Integrates LLMs (ChatGPT/GPT-3.5) for automated job description generation and self-PR creation. Employs proprietary AI algorithms for 'bilateral matching' that suggest candidates and positions simultaneously.

How they differentiate

HelloBoss leverages a proprietary database of 5.5 million Japanese companies (HelloData) and a 'Third-Generation' AI Agent that automates the entire recruitment lifecycle—including job description generation, automated screening, and dual-sided matching—eliminating high agency commission fees through a direct-chat model.

Main competitors

["YOUTRUST","Wantedly","BizReach"]

Key partnerships

["Deel Inc.","BAI Capital (Bertelsmann)","WriteUp (ライトアップ)","KSK Angel Fund"]

Notable customers

["Marriott International","Dior","Suntory Holdings","WriteUp Co., Ltd."]

Major milestones

["Secured Seed funding from Keisuke Honda's KSK Angel Fund in August 2022","Official launch of the 'HelloBoss' AI recruitment app in February 2023","Registered Patent No. 7299663 for unique AI-driven matching and chat functionality in 2023","Secured 600M JPY Pre-Series A led by Yunqi Partners in December 2023","Established strategic partnership with Deel for 'Global Remote Hire' solutions","Announced Series A funding from Bertelsmann/BAI Capital in November 2024, marking Bertelsmann's first strategic investment in Japan"]

Growth metrics

Reached over 200,000 registered users, 2,000+ corporate clients, and maintains a database of 5.5 million companies with AI-estimated headcounts.

Market positioning

Disruptive AI-driven direct hiring challenger targeting the traditional recruitment agency and job board market in Japan.

Geographic focus

Japan (primary), Mainland China, and Southeast Asia (via Global Remote Hire partnership).

Patents and IP

Patent No. 7299663: Registered in Japan for its unique AI-driven matching and chat functionality that streamlines the connection between recruiters and seekers.

About Alex Wang

Alex Wang (Wang Qin) is a serial entrepreneur and former Product Executive at Recruit Holdings. He has over 10 years of experience in the China-Japan tech ecosystem. Before founding NGA, he spent 5 years at Recruit Holdings leading new business development. He also founded JCCD.com (a content strategy firm) and AiBank.jp (an AI trading platform). He is the author of 'Atlas of Chinese Online Business Models' (2021), a recognized research book on digital commerce.

Official website: