International recruitment specialist Borderless has raised £2.5 million in seed funding to tackle care worker shortages.

The funding was raised in a round led by Backed VC with participation from Tiny VC and prominent angel investors including Charlie Songhurst and Chris Mairs.

Alex Brunicki, general partner at Backed VC, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be partnering with the Borderless team as they grow. The solution they have created is one the entire country will benefit from as they expand on their early market dominance. We immediately saw the benefit their technology brings to both candidates looking for better pathways, and care homes searching for the best talent capable of looking after the nation’s elderly.”

Borderless’ software allows care providers to automate hiring and onboarding of international workers, including recruitment, immigration, relocation and compliance, in one platform, removing the need for intermediary organisations that have long contributed to the industry’s human trafficking and modern slavery issues.

Borderless co-founder Jonathan Raphael said: “We all have ageing parents and grandparents, and are keenly aware of the rapidly increasing average age in the UK. The number of care professionals must grow from 1.7 million today to 2.6 million by 2030, to satisfy demand and ensure a good level of care for our elderly. Despite huge numbers of talented workers, both overseas and increasing in the UK, complex processes for employers have become major barriers. Not to mention the terrible experience for candidates who can end up resorting to shady third parties that charge them – sometimes up to £20,000 – to find a job. We want to permanently solve this.”