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SESO

Company Overview

Seso is an AI-powered workforce management platform designed specifically for the agricultural industry. Founded in 2019, the company aims to modernize America’s food production system by empowering the people that grow our food. Seso is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Products Overview

Seso offers a comprehensive suite of software solutions for agricultural employers:

  1. HR Platform - A digital system of record to manage employee data, documents, and HR operations.

  2. Digital Onboarding - Streamlines the onboarding process for both H-2A and domestic workers, including I-9, W-4, and custom hiring packets.

  3. H-2A Filing & Compliance Software - Helps employers navigate the H-2A visa program, ensuring compliance and streamlining the application process.

  4. Payroll for Ag - Offers both self-service and managed payroll options tailored for agricultural businesses.

  5. Paycards - A digital banking and remittance solution for agricultural workers.

  6. Ad Hoc Paperwork - Allows employers to send and collect signed documents from workers as needed.

  7. H-2A Worker Services - Handles worker recruitment, consulate services, and transportation logistics.

Founding Team

  • Michael Guirguis - Co-founder & CEO
  • Jordan Taylor - Co-founder & Head of Product

Problem and Market Fit

Seso addresses the critical labor shortage in the agricultural industry. Farmers struggle to find and retain reliable seasonal workers, leading to billions of dollars worth of crops rotting in fields. The H-2A visa program, while designed to help, is often too complex and intimidating for many farmers to navigate. Seso simplifies this process and provides a comprehensive workforce management solution tailored to the unique needs of agricultural employers.

Business Model

Seso operates on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, providing its workforce management platform to agricultural employers on a subscription basis. They also offer additional services like managed payroll and H-2A worker services.

Funding and Runway

Seso has raised significant funding from prominent investors:

  • April 2022: $25 million Series A round led by Index Ventures
  • April 2024: $26 million Series B round led by BOND, with participation from Index Ventures, NFX, SV Angel, and others

The total funding raised to date is at least $51 million.

Competitive Landscape

While Seso faces competition from general HR and payroll software providers, they differentiate themselves by focusing exclusively on the agricultural sector and offering specialized features for H-2A visa management. Their comprehensive approach to workforce management in agriculture gives them a unique position in the market.

Customers

Seso serves customers in 39 states, including 27 of the top 100 agricultural employers nationwide. Some notable customers mentioned include:

  • FirstFruits Farms
  • Bonnie Plants
  • Jackson Citrus
  • Valley Produce Harvesting, Inc.

Relevant News

  • April 2024: Seso closed a $26 million Series B funding round to expand its software offerings for American farmers.
  • 2023: Seso was named the 2023 AgTech Startup of the Year by AgTech Breakthrough.
  • 2022: Seso was included in the Forbes Cloud 100 as a Top 20 Rising Star.
  • Seso was selected as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Technical Assistance provider for the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program.

Seso continues to grow and expand its services, positioning itself as a key player in modernizing workforce management for the agricultural industry.

Classification: AI Tier 3

  1. Core AI: Create fundamental AI technologies/base models
  2. AI-Enabled: Core offerings rely on recent AI advances
  3. AI Adopters: Use AI to enhance existing products/services
  4. Non-AI: No AI in products/services

Seso uses AI to enhance their HR and payroll solutions, which are traditional services tailored for the agricultural industry.