Warden AI secures funding to meet demand for AI audits
AI auditing platform Warden AI has announced a new funding round led by the founders of Onfido, the digital identity verification company acquired by Entrust in 2024. The round also includes participation from Playfair, an early-stage VC firm, and will support Warden’s geographic expansion and product development.
The announcement comes as the HR industry grapples with the impact of Mobley v. Workday, a landmark lawsuit alleging that a hiring algorithm resulted in discrimination. The case has brought long-simmering concerns about algorithmic bias in HR and recruitment into sharp focus, and accelerated demand for independent oversight of AI systems.
Founded in 2023 by Jeffrey Pole (CEO) and Eduard Schikurski (CTO), Warden AI enables vendors and enterprises to audit and certify AI systems for fairness and compliance. Warden’s platform uses proprietary datasets, fairness benchmarks, and real-time dashboards to make AI risks like bias measurable and manageable. This empowers vendors and employers to comply with regulations like the EU AI Act and NYC Local Law 144, and to build trust with customers, users, and regulators.
“The Workday case is a wake-up call and highlights why Warden AI exists, to bring independent auditing and oversight to AI development and use in HR,” said Jeffrey Pole, CEO of Warden AI. “We built the platform to open up the black box of AI systems, which in turn builds trust in AI, increases adoption, gives organisations the evidence to deploy and defend AI systems, and protects the people they impact. Ensuring AI use is a win-win for all.”
Leading HR tech platforms, including Greenhouse, Sense, and Beamery, are already using Warden. According to Sultan Saidov, Co-Founder of Beamery: “Warden is not just saving developer time, but strengthening our reputation for responsible AI and increasing customer confidence in our platform.”
The company’s momentum reflects broader industry demand. With 75% of HR leaders citing AI bias as a top concern when evaluating vendors, and 46% stating that a vendor’s approach to Responsible AI directly influences procurement decisions, the market is seeking ways to address both reputational and legal risks.
“AI is becoming central to high-volume talent decisions like hiring,” said Henrik Wetter Sanchez, General Partner at Playfair. “But without proper oversight, it can entrench bias and expose companies to serious consequences. Warden solves this by offering robust, independent auditing. Jeff and Eduard bring the rare combination of regulatory depth and product execution needed to lead this category.”
Looking ahead, Warden will continue expanding across North America and Europe, helping millions of employers and employees benefit from AI that is fair, transparent, and defensible.
For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.
