Provn Launches to Transform AI Hiring Beyond Resumes

As artificial intelligence reshapes the workplace, a new Seattle startup believes the traditional resume is no longer enough. Provn, founded by veteran entrepreneur Nikesh Parekh, is introducing a skills-first hiring platform designed to help companies identify AI talent through real-world assessments instead of paper qualifications.

The startup aims to solve growing challenges in recruitment, where employers are increasingly overwhelmed by AI-generated resumes while job seekers use automation tools to optimize applications for applicant tracking systems. At the same time, many technology companies are reducing their overall workforce but remain eager to recruit professionals with strong AI capabilities.

Provn’s approach replaces conventional resumes with portfolios that showcase practical work, challenge-based assessments, and measurable skills. Rather than relying solely on employment history, candidates demonstrate what they can actually build and accomplish.

The platform enables businesses to create AI challenges, such as building an AI agent or solving a real business problem. Candidates complete these tasks and record video walkthroughs explaining their solutions. Provn then analyzes their performance and provides employers with data-driven insights to support hiring decisions. At the same time, candidates can build reusable professional profiles that can be shared with multiple employers.

Parekh describes Provn as a skills-first marketplace for AI talent, created for a future where AI knowledge is becoming essential across nearly every profession.

Speaking about the company’s vision, Parekh said the idea is driven by several major industry trends, including growing concerns about AI replacing traditional jobs, the changing nature of work, and the continued demand for AI-skilled professionals.

He believes existing hiring platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed have achieved massive scale but are becoming less effective at helping employers identify top-quality candidates, particularly as recruiters sort through increasing volumes of AI-generated applications.

Provn also seeks to expand beyond technical assessment platforms like HackerRank and Codility, which Parekh believes focus too narrowly on coding skills rather than broader workplace capabilities.

The startup is targeting two primary customer segments. The first includes large enterprises that regularly recruit early- and mid-career information workers and want access to candidates evaluated through practical, real-world skills. The second focuses on startups and smaller businesses that lack dedicated recruiting teams but need access to pre-vetted professionals with demonstrated AI expertise.

To launch its minimum viable product, Provn is collaborating with startup communities and Seattle-area companies, including Read AI and Yoodli, while also partnering with recruiting firms to expand its reach.

Although the company is currently self-funded, it plans to raise a seed funding round in the future. Provn has not yet begun generating revenue, but its business model will charge employers on a per-hire basis while offering premium services for candidates. One planned feature is an AI-powered career agent that helps job seekers promote their skills and discover new employment opportunities.

Parekh is well known in Seattle’s startup ecosystem. He previously co-founded Suplari, an AI-driven spend intelligence company that was acquired by Microsoft in 2021. Following the acquisition, he spent four years working on Microsoft Copilot Studio and Power Platform. His career also includes leadership positions at Market Leader, Trulia, and several early-stage technology ventures.

Provn’s founding team also includes experienced industry leaders. Kate Hill, formerly Vice President of Sales and Customer Success at ActiveRain and a business development leader at EY, joins the company alongside Ravi Mohan, a former venture capitalist at Shasta Ventures and former board member of Suplari, Apptio, and Anaplan.

The company enters a competitive Seattle hiring technology market that already includes firms such as Humanly, Karat, and ConverzAI. However, with AI rapidly changing how businesses recruit and evaluate talent, Provn hopes its practical, skills-based approach will offer a more effective alternative to the traditional resume-driven hiring process.

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