Ufi Ventures invests in Lily

The platform uses 24/7 conversational AI phone screening and interview scheduling to engage candidates quickly, often within hours of applying, with 49% of calls taking place outside traditional working hours. It also handles repetitive tasks such as reference collection, compliance checks and onboarding workflows, helping employers reduce delays and move suitable candidates into work more efficiently. Crucially, technology supports rather than replaces human decision-making: candidates always have the option to speak with hiring managers, and hiring managers continue to conduct interviews and make final recruitment decisions.

Recruitment is only part of the challenge. Retaining new starters during their first weeks and months is equally important for care providers seeking to reduce turnover and maintain continuity of care. Once in work, Lily checks in with new starters and flags potential issues early, helping employers provide support and improve retention.

For candidates, this means faster responses, a more consistent recruitment experience and greater flexibility in how they engage with prospective employers. This helps reduce drop-off during recruitment and supports more people into rewarding careers in care.

For care providers, automated workflows reduce administrative workloads and free up managers and recruiters to focus on candidate quality, team fit and supporting new colleagues as they join the organisation. Faster recruitment and onboarding can help organisations fill vacancies more effectively, improve workforce stability and spend more time focusing on delivering high-quality care.

The result is a better experience for candidates and employers, and higher quality recruitment outcomes. Lily reports average candidate screening times of less than one day and candidate satisfaction scores of 91%. The platform is already being used by multiple providers including Libertatem Healthcare and Family First.

Skills for Care estimates that the sector will need an additional 540,000 roles by 2040 to meet the needs of an ageing population. By helping employers recruit and retain staff more effectively, Lily has the potential to reduce workforce shortages, improve continuity of care and support better outcomes for the people who rely on care services.

Toby Palmer, Investment Associate at Ufi Ventures said:

“Care providers are under huge pressure to recruit quickly, maintain compliance and deliver high-quality care. Lily is helping organisations reduce administrative burden, improve the recruitment experience for candidates and bring new staff into work more quickly. That’s good for employers, good for workers and ultimately good for the people receiving care. We’re delighted to back Elan, Tom, Philip and the team as they continue to grow their impact across the sector.”

Ufi Ventures invested in Lily alongside Sidecut Ventures, a US-based venture capital firm. Mike Ma, Managing Director at Sidecut said:

“At Sidecut, we believe economic mobility starts with access to meaningful work. Lily is a great example of AI strengthening human work, not replacing it, while helping more people connect with frontline work. We’re excited to partner with the Lily team and Ufi Ventures, whose commitment to skills and the future of work aligns closely with our own. Great founders are solving meaningful problems all over the world, and we’re proud to back them wherever they’re building.”

The investment will support Lily’s continued growth across the care sector and further development of its platform.

The investment reflects Ufi Ventures’ commitment to backing businesses using technology to tackle skills and workforce challenges at scale. As demand for care continues to grow, Lily is helping providers recruit, onboard and retain staff more effectively, creating benefits for employers, workers and the people who depend on care services every day.