YC Alum Cercli, an AI-Powered Rippling for MENA, Raises Oversubscribed $12M Series A
YC alum Cercli, an AI-powered Rippling for MENA, raises oversubscribed $12M Series A, aiming to transform HR and finance systems across the Middle East and North Africa. The Dubai-based startup, co-founded by former Careem operators Akeed Azmi and David Reche, is building an AI-native platform that unifies HR, payroll, and compliance—addressing long-standing fragmentation in the region’s enterprise software.
Image Credits:Cercli
Cercli’s AI-First Approach to HR and Finance
Traditional HR and finance tools in MENA are often outdated, disconnected, and inefficient. Cercli tackles this by creating a unified stack that connects payroll, HR, and compliance seamlessly. By making AI the core of its platform, the company promises faster automation, smarter decision-making, and improved accuracy for businesses of all sizes.
Oversubscribed $12M Series A: A Big Vote of Confidence
Cercli’s oversubscribed $12M Series A round was led by European VC Picus Capital, signaling strong investor confidence in its vision. This funding follows a $4 million seed round and will support expansion, product development, and scaling across the MENA region.
Scaling Revenue and Global Payroll Operations
The company reports over 10x revenue growth over the past year and now processes more than $100 million in payroll annually for businesses across 50 countries. By combining AI automation with regional expertise, Cercli is positioned to compete with global players while serving local market needs.
Standing Out in a Crowded HR-Tech Market
The HR-tech space is crowded with companies like Deel, Remote, SAP, and Oracle promising cross-border payroll and payments. Cercli differentiates itself with an AI-native approach tailored for MENA, offering tools that are intuitive, integrated, and compliant with local regulations.
What’s Next for Cercli
With the new Series A funds, Cercli plans to enhance its AI capabilities, expand its customer base, and continue building a unified HR and finance ecosystem for the region. The startup’s growth trajectory shows that AI-driven solutions tailored to local markets can outperform global incumbents.
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