UAE – Mubasher: Cercli, an HR platform for Middle Eastern businesses to run and pay their local and global workforces, has announced rapid growth and platform updates for companies across the Middle East including plans underway for regional expansion in the very near future.
The co-founders of Cercli, which is backed by Y Combinator, are Akeed Azmi and David Reche who both held senior roles at the super app Careem.
The platform was founded in 2023 and raised a $4 million seed round in September 2024 with support from Silicon Valley-based Afore Capital, making its first investment in MENA, and COTU Ventures.
Cercli has been delivering in its first market, the UAE, since then with strong growth, major product upgrades, according to a press release.
Co-Founder of Cercli, Akeed Azmi, said: “Migrating customers are tired of outdated, unreliable HR tools and legacy platforms. From recruiting to performance to billing, these old systems just don’t talk to each other.”
Azmi noted: “MENA is thriving, and businesses here are thinking globally. They are asking for one reliable, localised HR platform which is easy to get started with and this is exactly what we’re building. Digital transformation, with a focus on AI agents to streamline processes, reduces bureaucracy, and boost efficiency, is high on government agendas, so we are in the right place at the right time.”
Co-Founder Azmi concluded: “We have concentrated on mid-market size companies to date, but are also fielding many enquiries from larger companies. This is just the beginning for us: regional expansion is next, and we’re excited about what is ahead.”
Since the September 2024 fundraise, Cercli has achieved 22% compounded month-on-month (MoM) revenue growth and increased payroll distributions by 14x, processing over a quarter of AED 1 billion in employee salaries across 48 countries and 17 currencies.
Across its customer base, the company has saved more than AED 8.20 million in administrative costs by streamlining HR processes, automating payroll, and eliminating repetitive tasks.
With AI Agents to streamline everything from migrating clients to onboarding teams, running payroll, and automating HR operations, the startup gives MENA companies a single, modern platform to manage their entire workforce.
From his part, David Reche, Co-Founder of Cercli, said: “Most HR platforms miss the mark when it comes to localisation, be it labour laws, WPS, or even public holiday calendars. This is where Cercli really stands out. We have built something that works for teams in the Middle East, and it is clear that it is resonating.”
Reche noted: “Our clients see us as the operating system for modern HR in the region, and we take that role seriously. Moreover, we have payroll specialists and real people on hand around the clock to guide and support our clients whenever they need it.”
