Darwinbox, a rapidly growing human resource (HR) technology platform, has raised $140 million in a funding round co-led by Partners Group and global investment giant KKR.
The round also saw participation from Gravity Holdings, further strengthening Darwinbox’s financial standing as it accelerates its global expansion and technological innovation. This strategic investment underscores Darwinbox’s rising influence in the HR tech space and sets the stage for its next phase of growth.
Founded in 2015, Darwinbox is an AI-powered, mobile-first human capital management (HCM) platform catering to over 1,000 enterprises worldwide. The company has experienced tremendous international success, expanding across key regions such as Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Its North American entry two years ago has yielded significant traction, with the company now doubling down on its regional presence.
Over the past two years, Darwinbox has reported fivefold revenue growth in international markets, with 60% of its new revenue coming from outside India. The company’s focus on innovation is evident through its latest product rollouts, including a multi-country payroll solution and advanced GenAI-powered features designed to enhance modern HR management.
Darwinbox’s impressive growth and innovation have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the company was recognized as a Challenger in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud HCM Suites for enterprises with more than 1,000 employees—making it the youngest and only Asian company to achieve this distinction. Today, over 3 million employees worldwide rely on Darwinbox, including those from top-tier brands such as Starbucks, Nivea, AXA, Cigna, WeWork, Crisil (an S&P company), and T-Systems.
Partners Group, known for its growth equity strategy, identifies and invests in high-potential companies on a global scale. The firm has invested approximately $2.5 billion in growth-stage businesses since 2013, with notable investments in companies like Lumin Digital, a leading cloud-based digital banking provider, and Neara, an AI-powered predictive modeling platform for infrastructure.
Meanwhile, KKR’s investment in Darwinbox aligns with its Asia Next Generation Technology strategy, which focuses on fostering innovation in software, fintech, and consumer technology sectors across Asia. KKR has previously invested in notable Indian and Southeast Asian companies, including Rebel Foods, Lenskart, Livspace, KiotViet, and Privy.
