Knockri Inc.
 | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Human Resources Technology[1] |
| Founded 📆 | 2016 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
| Founders 👔 | Jahanzaib Ansari[2][3] Faisal Ahmed[4] |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Area served 🗺️ | Worldwide |
| Products 📟 | Knockri |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | knockri |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Knockri is a Canadian technology company offering an AI-powered platform for skills-based candidate assessments. Employing natural language processing and machine learning, the platform evaluates candidate responses based on transcript analysis rather than visual or vocal cues, aiming to reduce unconscious bias in hiring and internal mobility processes.[5]
History and mission
Founded in Toronto with the mission to create equity in hiring, Knockri was driven by an intent to address the systemic biases facing traditionally underrepresented groups. The company's name reflects this focus: it derives from the phrase "knock the bias right out." It has framed its approach as a science-backed, explainable alternative to subjective interviewing practices.[6]
Platform and technology
Features
Knockri's platform allows users to build customized assessments tailored to job-specific competencies.[7] Candidates respond to structured questions via video or audio formats; their responses are then transcribed and evaluated against a behavior‑based competency dictionary.[8] The result is a detailed performance report highlighting which behaviors were demonstrated or omitted, helping hiring teams make fairer decisions.[9][10] The software does not eliminate the person-to-person interview; it only acts as a highly intelligent ‘screening tool’, allowing employers to get the best applicant to the interview a lot quicker.[11]
Integrations
The company supports seamless integration with enterprise human resource systems such as SAP SuccessFactors, Workday, and Lever, enabling organizations to embed AI‑driven assessment tools directly into existing applicant tracking and talent management workflows.[12][13]
Security and Compliance
Knockri places significant emphasis on data protection and responsible AI. The platform analyzes only transcripts, not facial expressions or vocal tones to mitigate built-in biases. While the company highlights transparency and data security in its publicly available materials, specific compliance certifications like ISO 27001 or GDPR adherence are mentioned, and it is also SOC type 2 certified, as noted on its own site.[14]
Use in government and enterprise
Government of Canada
In 2024, Canada's Treasury Board Secretariat conducted a privacy impact assessment for using Knockri in executive recruitment. The pilot involved audio‑based interviews, with AI evaluating competencies associated with senior government roles and underscored the importance of transparency in deploying AI in the public sector.
Department of National Defence
Knockri was also deployed in the Department of National Defence's EX‑01 recruitment campaign. This initiative measured candidate experience, assessed fairness, and reported improvements in diversity among shortlisted candidates.[15][16]
Funding and partnerships
In July 2020, Knockri raised USD 3 million in an oversubscribed seed round led by Differential Ventures, with contributions from Grand Ventures, MaRS IAF, Bertelsmann Investments, and others; a significant milestone that supported its mission to reduce bias and improve diversity in hiring.[17][18]
On March 24, 2021, Knockri was announced for inclusion as part of Google's startup accelerator program called Google for Startups. [19]
Recognition and media coverage
Knockri has been featured across a wide range of independent media outlets, showcasing its technology, mission, and impact:
- CBC News visited Knockri's headquarters to report on its AI‑based efforts to reduce hiring bias.[6]
- Bloomberg Technology featured an interview with CEO Jahanzaib Ansari on how Knockri's software helps companies mitigate bias during hiring.[20]
- Forbes published an article on the potential of AI tools like Knockri to help eliminate bias in recruitment.[21]
- Bloomberg explored how AI‑driven tools like Knockri contribute to fairer hiring processes.[22]
- Financial Post discussed AI tools for hiring and highlighted concerns about bias that Knockri seeks to address.[23]
- Elle Canada included Knockri in discussions on ethical AI and racism in tech.[24]
- Business Insider featured Knockri in coverage of diversity leadership recognition via Ascend Canada.[25]
- CBC ran a broader story on algorithmic bias and mentioned Knockri as part of the broader narrative.[26]
These sources collectively underscore Knockri's visibility in both tech innovation and DEI discourse, affirming its reputation across mainstream news and industry publications.
Reception
Industry professionals have lauded Knockri for its standardized, transparent, and scalable approach to hiring. Its methodology is rooted in sound human resource principles, empowering hiring teams to audit and interpret AI‑driven evaluations. People leaders particularly appreciate its behavior‑based framework, which maps well to established industrial‑organizational psychology models.[27]
While employers largely report positive experiences, candidates’ reactions are mixed. Some express unease over AI‑powered evaluations, questioning data privacy and the nature of algorithmic judgment. Others, however, find the structured and skill‑focused approach more equitable than traditional interviews, highlighting that such systems can reduce the influence of unconscious bias.[28]
References
- ↑ "AI investigated: #1: Assessment". Knockri. December 9, 2022. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "Jahanzaib Ansari has been recognized as one of the top professionals of the HR industry in Canada by being listed in the 2018 edition of HRDC's Rising Stars report". HRD. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "Jahanzaib AnsariCo-Founder and Chief Executive Officer,Knockri". WorldEconomicForum. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "Faisal Ahmed. Co-Founder & CTO at Knockri – Interview Series". Unite.AI. Unite.AI. September 16, 2021. Retrieved 2025-09-10.
- ↑ "AI investigated: #1: Assessment". ERE. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 CBC News: The National (2018-09-04). Canadian startup uses AI to reduce job interview bias. Retrieved 2025-08-21 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Olawoye, Lekan (2018-03-22). "Why achieving diversity in tech requires firing the industry's 'cultural fit' mentality". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ Davis, Kim (2021-11-29). "New solutions support workplace diversity and inclusion". MarTech. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "Job Application Rejections Inspire Tech for Social Change". Social Innovation Canada. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Albinus, Phil (2021-11-16). "Think there's no bias in your hiring process? AI says think again". HR Executive. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ Ash, Ali (2017-07-25). ""The Power of Artificial Intelligence" - A Glimpse at HR's Future". HuffPost. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "EQ: The new currency of COVID-19 hiring". www.hcamag.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "Canada's next breakthrough is AI commercialization". MaRS Discovery District. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "Knockri Achieves SOC2 Type Ll Certification! | Knockri". 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "Case Study: Increasing Hiring Efficiency In Tech". 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Thompson, Elizabeth (2023-12-23). "Ottawa will prevent AI tools from discriminating against potential hires, Anand says". CBC News. Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "Knockri Raises $3m to Reduce Hiring Bias, Improve Diversity and Help Hire Exceptional Talent". Differential Ventures. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Kirkwood, Isabelle (2020-07-23). "Knockri raises $3 million seed round to eliminate job interview bias through AI | BetaKit". Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ Scott, Josh (2021-03-24). "Google reveals 12 startups in second cohort of Canadian accelerator | BetaKit". Retrieved 2025-09-05.
- ↑ "Bloomberg Technology with Jahanzaib Ansari, CEO of Knockri". Differential Ventures. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Gow, Glenn. "How To Use AI To Eliminate Bias". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Chang, Emily (November 1, 2021). "Reducing AI Bias For A Fair Hiring Process". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved August 18, 2025.
- ↑ Rolfe, Kelsey (June 15, 2021). "AI can help companies find their next hire quickly, but concerns around racial, gender bias persist". Financial Post. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Is Artificial Intelligence Racist?". Elle Canada.
- ↑ "Ascend Canada congratulates five leaders at 5th Annual Leadership Awards Gala". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ "When technology discriminates: How algorithmic bias can make an impact". CBC News.
- ↑ Wiggers, Kyle (2020-03-13). "AI Weekly: Coronavirus spurs adoption of AI-powered candidate recruitment and screening tools". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ↑ Albinus, Phil (2021-11-16). "Think there's no bias in your hiring process? AI says think again". HR Executive. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
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