1337 Ventures backs HR startup Betterteem in fight against employee turnover

Malaysian venture capital firm 1337 Ventures has thrown its weight behind Betterteem Technologies, a Philippines-based AI-driven business intelligence platform designed to combat employee attrition and enhance workplace satisfaction.

The move highlights 1337 Ventures’ commitment to fostering game-changing solutions. The investment aligns with the firm’s mission to support companies that push the envelope in their respective industries.

AI-powered foresight in talent retention

Betterteem’s platform serves as an early warning system for businesses, helping leaders pre-empt resignations that could disrupt operations. By tapping into unstructured data from over 200 enterprise systems – spanning compensation details, performance evaluations, and productivity metrics – the AI-driven solution delivers predictive insights with 88% accuracy and 74% precision.

The goal is to empower organisations to nip potential resignations in the bud, retain their top performers, and maintain a stable work environment.

Beyond its predictive capabilities, Betterteem offers a holistic approach to employee wellbeing. The platform integrates mental health support through employee assistance programmes and provides flexible benefits functionality. This purportedly allows firms to tailor their offerings and enhance workforce satisfaction.

A strategic partnership for global expansion

Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO and founding partner of 1337 Ventures, expressed confidence in Betterteem’s potential.

“Betterteem addresses one of the most critical pain points in business with a unique blend of predictive analytics and mental health support,” Lakhmichand said.

“Their innovative approach has already gained traction across multiple countries, and we believe they are well-positioned to make a global impact.”

Betterteem was founded by seasoned HR leader Bo Discarga. The startup has already made headway in Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, and the Philippines.

The company’s momentum is bolstered by industry recognition, having been named the Philippine regional winner in the Startup World Cup. This achievement secures the company a coveted spot at the competition’s grand finale in Silicon Valley this October, where it will vie for the US$1 million prize.

The accolades don’t stop there, however. Betterteem has also attracted funding from the South Korean government and was a runner-up in the 2024 Pazhou AI competition in China, reinforcing its credibility in the tech landscape.

Scaling up with 1337 Ventures’ backing

For Betterteem, this partnership with 1337 Ventures marks a crucial turning point. Discarga views it as a stepping stone towards innovation and expansion.

“At Betterteem, our mission is to equip business leaders with data-driven insights to navigate the complexities of talent management and retention,” Discarga said. “Partnering with 1337 Ventures marks a pivotal moment for us, providing the resources and expertise needed to enhance our technology and expand our impact.”

The collaboration also reflects 1337 Ventures’ broader strategy of nurturing early-stage startups and ensuring they have the financial support needed to scale.

As Lakhmichand put it: “At 1337 Ventures, we are dedicated to bridging the gap for early-stage startups and ensuring a steady flow of seed-level investments. By backing promising startups like Betterteem, we aim to build a strong pipeline of successful companies that can attract further funding and scale to new heights.”

With the investment in Betterteem, 1337 Ventures is not only supporting an AI-powered solution to talent retention challenges but also betting on a startup poised for regional – and potentially global – impact.