HTGF backs Emerge Tech as AI Employer Branding empowers SMEs facing skilled worker shortage

High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF) and the Heimatboost investment community are investing in Emerge Tech GmbH, a Berlin-based HR tech start-up that uses AI-powered employer branding to put SMEs on an equal footing with large corporations by making the process more accessible, automated, and effective. The investment will fund the development of the platform and prepare for the seed round.

Daniel Braun, Co-Founder & CEO, Emerge: “To solve the skills shortage, we must start with employers. Our AI agents will create game-changing opportunities, finally enabling smaller teams to stand out as employers and reshape HR.”

AI Against the Skills Shortage – Highly Efficient and Genuinely Authentic:

Although the shortage is not expected to peak until 2035, companies are already struggling to establish a presence in the labour market. Rather than relying on agencies, Emerge uses AI: 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: a 40% better fit between people and organisation, 87% lower costs compared to agencies, and 54% less effort in everyday recruitment. Thanks to AI, employer branding is no longer a one-off campaign, but an ongoing dialogue between companies and potential employees.

Reiner Kriegler, Co-Founder & CPO, Emerge: “Big brands have long claimed employer branding as a privilege. However, talent doesn’t make decisions based on budget; authenticity wins. That’s exactly where our AI comes in.”

Strategy & Outlook:

Until the end of 2025, Emerge’s focus will be on improving product quality and increasing user numbers with Carla and Charly, to create a scalable, robust AI agent model. Emerge will raise a seed round in late 2025, then shift focus to internationalisation. Meanwhile, the team will build new agents to enhance the entire people experience, from onboarding to performance management.

Christian Arndt, Principal at HTGF: “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. We are delighted to support Emerge on this journey as an investor.”

Founding Team:

• Daniel Braun scaled the HR tech start-up WorkGenius to £150 million in revenue in the US and is now CEO of Emerge.
• Wolf Reiner Kriegler: Employer branding pioneer and founder of the German Employer Branding Academy, is now CPO of Emerge.
• Thomas Holl: The Co-founder of the language learning app Babbel and is now the CTO of Emerge.

With Emerge Tech they are bringing technology to employers in need of real change.

About Emerge Tech:

Founded in Berlin in 2024, Emerge Tech GmbH 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. In 2025, the focus will be on user growth and product maturity, followed by international expansion in 2026 with new agents covering the entire people experience.

About HTGF – High-Tech Gründerfonds:

HTGF is one of the leading and most active early-stage investors in Germany and Europe, financing start-ups in the fields of DeepTech, IndustrialTech, ClimateTech, DigitalTech, Life Sciences, and Chemistry. With its experienced investment team, HTGF supports start-ups in all phases of their development into international market leaders. HTGF invests in pre-seed and seed phases and can participate significantly in later-stage financing rounds. Moreover, across its funds, HTGF has over 2 billion euros under management. Since its inception in 2005, HTGF has financed more than 770 start-ups and achieved almost 200 successful exits.

Image Credit: Emerge Tech