Concept Ventures led the investment, with participation from Frontline Ventures, Portfolio Ventures, and Notion Capital.

"The world is heading towards a future where every employee has an AI-powered assistant - with all the major tech players racing to build one. But companies aren’t currently set up to reap the rewards of these advancements. And one of the main blockers to AI adoption for companies is the state of their knowledge bank," comments Cecily Motley, CEO of Harriet.

Poor data management poses a significant obstacle to the adoption of AI tools, especially those designed to enhance efficiency for companies and their workforce. Harriet stands out as the premier HR-focused AI solution specifically crafted to overcome this challenge and prepare companies and their data for seamless AI integration.

"HR and People teams are responsible for so many vital things - from culture to compensation. But too many colleagues see them as just a route to key information, like their payslips and P60s. This means HR teams are drowning in fiddly, low-value admin tasks. Harriet AI is freeing them from this burden; allowing HR teams to focus on their real purpose and show how valuable their role in a company really is," adds Cecily Motley.

Harriet initiates the process by scanning existing organisational policies and documents, creating a comprehensive overview of the current state, identifying gaps, and pinpointing any duplicate or conflicting information. Subsequently, it guides companies in addressing issues and facilitates data cleanup, establishing a solid foundation for the seamless integration of additional AI tools.

"Harriet has been designed to clean up data, get companies onto the right track, and then offer the daily assistance staff and People teams are looking for," emphasises Cecily Motley.

Sitting atop this refined data and information, Harriet transforms into a personalised HR assistant for every employee. Accessible through Slack and integrated with other HR tools such as ticketing systems, HRIS', and payroll, Harriet efficiently handles tasks like booking staff leave, updating on company policies, locating relevant documents, retrieving payslips, and directing employees to support services.

"In addition, Harriet provides an anonymous route for staff looking for company information that may be sensitive, such as parental leave policies for those thinking about family planning or information about booking bereavement leave," notes the article.

Harriet effectively reduces the influx of distracting "micro requests" faced by stretched People teams, allowing them to concentrate on more substantial tasks related to culture, compensation, and training. This is particularly valuable for lean People teams that have endured significant cuts during downturns, enabling them to deliver high-quality employee experiences.

"HR teams report that, currently, 20% of their time is spent on small, admin-based requests," states the article.

Harriet's founders, Cecily Motley and David Buxton, both seasoned startup entrepreneurs, emphasise the importance of laying the right foundations for AI adoption. Cecily Motley explains, "As organisations look to take advantage of AI solutions, and as teams begin to expect instant access to information and support, it’s vital to ensure tools lay the right foundations as well as unlock efficiencies."

Connecting seamlessly with various interfaces in a company's tech stack, including Google Drive, Notion, Xero, HiBob, BambooHR, and Zapier, Harriet ensures that staff can make HR requests and access information within the familiar environment of Slack.

"Harriet connects with a range of interfaces in a company tech stack including Google Drive, Notion, Xero, HiBob, BambooHR and Zapier, amongst others. This means, regardless of where information is stored, staff can make HR requests and source the information they need without leaving Slack," details the article.

The technology powering Harriet relies on a Large Language Model, incorporating multiple interlocking and cross-checking AIs to safeguard privacy, truthfulness, and accuracy. Harriet always provides a source link for every answer, ensuring transparency and data protection.

"A team of highly experienced HR industry leaders are joining Harriet as advisors, including Jessica Zwaan, COO at Whereby, and future of work advocate Johannes Sundlo," states the article.

Oliver Kicks, Partner at Concept Ventures, expressed excitement about joining Harriet on its journey, praising Cecily and David as serial entrepreneurs who have built a product that genuinely adds value. The investment aims to support Harriet's innovative approach to improving the world of work for thousands.