Darwinbox, a leading global human resource (HR) technology platform, announced the signing of definitive agreements under which Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, and funds managed by KKR, will co-lead an investment of $140 million in the company, with additional participation from Gravity Holdings. The investment positions Darwinbox well to deepen its technology leadership and accelerate its international expansion plans.
Launched in 2015, Darwinbox is a mobile-first and AI-enabled human capital management platform serving more than 1,000 enterprises worldwide. Darwinbox has expanded internationally across multiple markets in less than a decade, including Asia Pacific, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Since it entered North America two years ago, the company has seen significant traction and is doubling its regional presence. Over the last two years, Darwinbox has a diversified global portfolio, achieving a fivefold growth in international markets, with over 60% of new revenue coming from international markets.
Over 3 million employees from leading brands — including Starbucks, Nivea, AXA, Cigna, WeWork, Crisil (an S&P company), T-Systems, etc. depend on Darwinbox’s platform for modern HR management. Darwinbox’s recent wave of product rollouts — highlighted by a multi-country payroll solution and enhanced GenAI features — demonstrates its commitment to next-generation HR innovation.
Avendus Capital acted as the financial advisor and investment banker on this deal.
KEY QUOTES:
“This investment is a testament to Darwinbox’s strong fundamentals and the trust we have earned from our 1,000+ global customer base. By placing the employee experience front and center — and ensuring our platform is deeply configurable to diverse local needs — we have helped transform HR for enterprises globally. With top-tier investors backing us, we’re poised to amplify our global momentum and deliver innovative AI‐powered solutions for thousands of enterprises worldwide.”
– Jayant Paleti, Co‐founder of Darwinbox
“Darwinbox operates in the rapidly growing HR tech market, which we have been tracking through our thematic research. The company is acting as a key disruptor to legacy platforms in this space, investing heavily in product innovation, generative AI, and global expansion, and is well positioned to take market share. We look forward to working with Darwinbox’s talented management team on driving future growth. The company represents another exciting addition to our private equity growth portfolio.”
– Cyrus Driver, Managing Director, Private Equity, Partners Group
“Darwinbox has established itself as a leading player in the human capital management space in a short span of time through its focus on innovation and customer centricity. We are pleased to support Darwinbox on its next stage of growth and will look to draw from our global network and expertise to accelerate its international expansion ambitions.”
– Akshay Tanna, Partner and Head of India Private Equity, KKR
