Karat, a Seattle-based technical interviewing platform, has acquired Byteboard, a San Francisco startup specializing in project-based engineering assessments. This acquisition strengthens Karat’s position in the technical recruiting landscape by integrating Byteboard’s AI-powered skills evaluation with Karat’s existing human-centric approach. The combined platform aims to provide companies with a more comprehensive and efficient way to assess and hire top engineering talent, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in a competitive market. While the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed, it represents a significant strategic move for Karat, enhancing its capabilities and solidifying its presence in the technical recruiting industry.
Byteboard, founded in 2018 by former Google engineers Sargun Kaur and Nicole Hardson-Hurley, emerged from Google’s Area 120 incubator in 2021. The company secured $5 million in funding in 2022, focusing on developing a unique interview process that moves beyond traditional coding challenges and instead evaluates candidates through real-world project simulations. This approach aims to offer a more accurate assessment of an engineer’s practical skills and problem-solving abilities, providing companies with a clearer understanding of a candidate’s potential. The acquisition brings Byteboard’s innovative technology and talented team, including CEO Sargun Kaur, under the Karat umbrella, contributing to the company’s continued growth and innovation.
This acquisition marks Karat’s third strategic purchase in just two years, following the acquisitions of Triplebyte and AspectAI. These acquisitions demonstrate Karat’s commitment to expanding its platform’s functionalities and reach within the technical recruiting market. By integrating complementary technologies and expertise, Karat is building a robust suite of tools designed to streamline the hiring process for companies seeking tech talent. This aggressive acquisition strategy underscores Karat’s ambition to become a leading force in the industry and provide a comprehensive solution for modern technical recruiting challenges.
Founded in 2014, Karat has rapidly ascended to become one of Seattle’s most valuable startups. Following a successful Series C funding round in 2021, which raised $110 million, the company achieved a valuation of $1.1 billion, solidifying its unicorn status. This substantial investment propelled Karat’s growth and enabled the company to invest in further developing its platform and expanding its market presence. Despite facing several rounds of layoffs in 2023, Karat maintains a strong position in the tech landscape and continues to be recognized as a key player in the Pacific Northwest startup ecosystem.
Karat’s success is driven by its innovative approach to technical interviewing, which combines human interaction with advanced technology. Recognizing the limitations of traditional technical interviews, Karat developed a platform that leverages human interviewers to conduct live coding assessments and behavioral interviews, providing a more nuanced evaluation of candidates’ skills and cultural fit. This human-centered approach, coupled with data-driven insights and automation, enables companies to make more informed hiring decisions, leading to better candidate experiences and more successful hiring outcomes.
As the demand for skilled tech professionals continues to grow, Karat’s platform plays a crucial role in connecting companies with top talent. By streamlining the interviewing process and providing a more accurate assessment of candidates’ abilities, Karat helps companies efficiently identify and hire the right individuals for their teams. The acquisition of Byteboard further strengthens Karat’s ability to meet the evolving needs of the tech industry, offering a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges of finding and hiring skilled engineers in a competitive market. Karat’s position as #25 on the GeekWire 200, a list of top Pacific Northwest startups, further emphasizes its impact and growth trajectory within the tech community.
