Nova Talent, a merit-based professional network and B2B SaaS recruiting platform, has raised €3.2 million in funding to enhance its platform, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, as Vestbee was told.
- Nova Talent was founded in 2020 by Andrea Marino, Ramón Rodrigáñez, and Lars-Henrik Friis Molin. The company develops two core products: a professional networking platform and a B2B SaaS tool called Nova Recruiter.
- The networking platform is designed for vetted individuals, who gain access through a multi-step selection process assessing professional experience, academic background, and soft skills. Once admitted, members can connect, attend curated events, and access job opportunities.
- The company uses proprietary technology to power its member-matching system and career development tools. A current focus is improving its in-app algorithm with AI to enhance the relevance of connections and opportunities.
- On the business side, Nova offers recruitment services to companies looking to hire top talent from its pre-vetted network, presenting itself as a more targeted alternative to broader platforms like LinkedIn.
- As of mid-2025, Nova reports a community of over 25,000 members in more than 80 countries and partnerships with over 800 employers.
Details of the deals
- The funding round was led by CDP Venture Capital, through the ServiceTech segment of its Corporate Partners I Fund. The round also saw participation from BY Venture Partners and angel investors from the Doha Tech Angels network.
“We’re happy to support Nova as it grows in Italy and expands globally. Its value proposition is a great fit for the Services sector -our fund’s core focus - as it helps companies improve their hiring process, cut costs, and identify high-potential young talent, which is becoming increasingly essential to improving productivity in the industry," claims Laura Scaramella, Head of ServiceTech at CDP Venture Capital.
- Nova Talent will use the €3.2 million funding to expand internationally into major European cities, strengthen operations in Italy and abroad, and accelerate the development of its AI-powered platform.
- The investment will also help improve the app’s matching algorithm and scale Nova Recruiter, its B2B SaaS platform designed to offer a more effective alternative to LinkedIn for talent recruitment.
“We had to rethink and change our approach to find a suitable model that could appeal to VC. Our strong unit economics, premium positioning, and social network dynamics convinced top-tier investors. We’re proud to welcome new partners from both Italy and the Middle East," CEO and co-founder at Nova, Andrea Marino, commented in a press release.
