Astro Rebrands to Howdy, Raises Additional $5M

The company helps tech businesses recruit talent in Latin America.

Written by Abel Rodriguez
Published on Jan. 10, 2023
Astro Rebrands to Howdy, Raises Additional $5M
Howdy founder and CEO Jacqueline Samira
Howdy founder and CEO Jacqueline Samira. | Photo: Howdy / LinkedIn

Recent market conditions have forced many tech companies to lay off workers or enable hiring freezes; however, according to one Austin-based company, recruiting talent from abroad might be a solution for businesses looking to bring on new talent.

Howdy, formerly known as Astro, is a tech recruiting company that partners with enterprises to find and recruit software professionals in Latin America.

In August, the company raised $13 million in funding for its Series A round to improve its algorithm and increase its headcount to 300 employees. Five months later, it pulled in an additional $5 million toward this round and rebranded.

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When looking for tech workers for U.S. employers, Howdy takes care of finding potential employees, vetting candidates, payroll and benefits. Howdy also provides mentorship and coworking spaces for the employees it recruits. Its services help employers hire staff without geographical constraints and without the stress and risk of hiring international staff themselves. 

According to Howdy, it has placed tech workers in over 45 U.S. tech companies and has worked with Coinbase, Truepill and Workrise, among others. 

“The growth of software professionals in [Latin America] has been prolific the past few years and some of the largest tech companies in the U.S. have built teams in the region to capitalize on the influx of talent close to their local time zone with highly proficient English speakers,” Jacqueline Samira, CEO and founder of Howdy, said in a statement. 

Obvious Ventures led the $5 million addendum. With the additional funding, the Series A round closed at $18 million. The company is now valued at $105 million.

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