Comp raised US$17.5M in a Series A led by Khosla Ventures, marking the fund’s first investment in Brazil

Comp, a Brazilian HRtech focused on compensation management, has secured a US$17.5 million Series A round led by U.S.-based Khosla Ventures, marking the Silicon Valley fund’s first investment in Brazil and reinforcing the country’s position as a growing global innovation hub.

Investor Confidence Signals Momentum for Comp

The round was led by Khosla Ventures, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capital firm making its debut investment in Brazil. The Series A also included participation from existing investors Kaszek and Canary, both of which had backed Comp in its earlier US$2.7 million seed round alongside Norte Ventures.

New investors joining the cap table include Abstract Ventures and Endeavor Catalyst.

“It’s a privilege to have Khosla trusting us. Ideally, this investment can open doors for other American funds to see Brazil as a global innovation hub,” said Pedro Bobrow, co-founder of Comp, in an interview.

Khosla’s investment was led by Keith Rabois, a managing director at the firm known for backing companies such as Stripe, Airbnb, DoorDash and Ramp. The firm’s portfolio also includes OpenAI, which it invested in back in 2019, before the AI company became globally recognized.

“For 20 years building and scaling startups, I never experienced an HR function that truly improved the company. Comp is the first time I’ve seen that change,” said Rabois, who previously held executive roles at PayPal and Square.

From Cornell to Brazil: the founders’ journey

Pedro Bobrow, originally from São Paulo, moved to the U.S. at 18 to study computer science at Cornell University, where he met American co-founder and current CEO Christophe Gerlach, then a semi-professional soccer player.

While still in college, the duo launched Suna, a breakfast delivery startup serving students on campus. In 2020, at age 20, they temporarily followed separate paths: Gerlach joined General Atlantic to invest in HRtech companies, while Bobrow moved to Silicon Valley to work at Lyft.

They reconnected in 2022 to found Comp in Brazil. “There is still a lot of untapped opportunity for Brazilian startups globally,” Bobrow said.

A “Service as a Software” model powered by AI

Comp operates under what it calls a “Service as a Software” model, reversing the traditional logic of delivering standardized software products. Instead, the company combines HR specialists and autonomous AI agents to build customized technology for each client, while simultaneously providing ongoing advisory services and tailored projects.

Initially focused on total rewards and compensation management, Comp uses technology to benchmark salaries, optimize bonuses and stock options, and structure benefits strategies commonly used by large corporations to retain top talent.

Its client base includes leading Brazilian tech companies such as Nubank, Stone, iFood, Creditas, Evertec, Conta Simples and Celcoin.

The startup closed 2025 with 400% growth and a portfolio of 100 clients.

“We expect to maintain very accelerated growth this year,” said Gerlach.

Expansion plans: São Paulo headquarters and New York office

Comp plans to use the US$17.5 million Series A funding to expand its team beyond its current 40 employees in São Paulo, where it inaugurated its own headquarters, Casa Comp, in the Brooklyn neighborhood last November.

The company is also setting up an office in New York, which will serve as a gateway for its U.S. expansion later this year.

“Our aspiration is to become a global company,” Gerlach added.