The traditional job application process of CVs and cover letters has remained unchanged for decades and is widely considered outdated and ineffective. While new technologies allow candidates to mass-apply for positions, recruiters struggle to identify talented and diverse candidates among countless generic applications, many of which are now AI-generated. Vizzy, a certified BCorp, aims to transform this landscape with a talent platform that reimagines the CV, helping businesses discover early-career talent based on potential, personality, and ambition.
Today, Vizzy, already trusted by global brands, announced a £3.65m seed funding round led by Adjuvo. The round includes participation from Oberon Private Ventures, Rob Wells (former President of Workday Asia), Nigel Wray (serial SME investor), Sally Wells (multi-exit recruitment and HR tech founder), Sir Clive Woodward (England Rugby, Team GB London 2012), and Robert Dodds (XIX Entertainment).
With this funding, Vizzy will accelerate product development, grow its team, and expand its innovative platform to more candidates and employers globally. As workplace dynamics evolve, Vizzy aims to spearhead the transformation toward more human, inclusive, and effective recruitment.
Chris Woodward-Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Vizzy, said: “I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in such a short time. Having launched the full product in 2023, seeing some of the world’s biggest brands change how they see candidates has been great. We’re surfacing incredible talent that otherwise would have been missed and saving both time and money for our clients. This latest investment will enable us to scale up as we meet the market demand for the Vizzy platform, supporting candidates and talent teams worldwide.”
How Vizzy rewrites the rules of recruitment
Vizzy was founded in 2023 by Jess Woodward-Jones (Client Director), Chris Woodward-Jones (CEO), and Joe Woodward (Creative Director). Joe’s personal experience of losing his job during the pandemic led him to realise that the established norms in the recruitment industry needed to be rewritten.
Vizzy enables candidates, particularly young and early-career talent, to create truly personalised digital CVs. The platform transcends traditional qualification lists, letting users showcase their potential, interests, ambitions, and personality through interactive modules, multimedia content, and psychometric assessments. This approach helps candidates stand out in a competitive job market while giving employers deeper, more authentic insights into each applicant.
Recent studies indicate that up to 65% of candidates use AI tools to write their CVs and cover letters, making authenticity a key concern for employers. Vizzy addresses this by enabling candidates to express their genuine personalities and aspirations, helping recruiters identify authentic talent amid AI-generated applications. Non-profits and organisations focused on social mobility have found Vizzy particularly effective in expanding access to opportunities.
Empowering top brands to discover talent
Vizzy partners with iconic brands including Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Virgin, PizzaExpress, and WHSmith, offering talent acquisition teams deeper insights into potential hires. The platform’s customisable features let employers create bespoke candidate experiences aligned with their brand values and specific roles.
Peter Kong, Head of Talent Acquisition, North Asia, Louis Vuitton, said: “Through partnering with Vizzy, we’ve seen remarkable efficiency gains. By enabling talent to showcase their capabilities, we’re effortlessly attracting skilled candidates. It’s a game-changer in modern recruitment!”
Kate Harcourt, Group Head of Talent Acquisition, WHSmith, added: “Vizzy hasn’t just helped us identify our most engaged talent more efficiently from large application volumes—it’s also revealed new insights into personality and ambition.”
Sarah Lock, Recruitment Lead, Virgin Group, said: “At Virgin, we’re all about challenging the status quo to create positive change, and Vizzy’s fresh, disruptive approach to the CV is exactly the kind of innovation that excites us.”
Beyond technology, Vizzy is cultivating a community focused on early careers and recruitment innovation. Initiatives like “The Graduate Guide” podcast demystify early career challenges and have garnered millions of impressions, establishing Vizzy as a thought leader in the future of work.
Mark Foster-Brown, CEO of Adjuvo, said: “At Adjuvo, we invest in groundbreaking innovations that drive technology transformation. Vizzy has reinvented the CV for a new generation of digital natives, moving beyond outdated black-and-white résumés to help job seekers showcase their true character and unique qualities. With vast market potential ahead, our members are excited to support Vizzy’s talented team as they scale the business and expand their impressive client base.”
