Ringtime, a Ghent-based startup focused on automating recruitment for blue-collar roles, has raised €1.8 million in Seed funding led by Volta Ventures, with participation from Syndicate One, JK Invest, New School VC, and Allusion.
The company develops AI-driven technology designed to manage the repetitive, high-volume tasks of recruitment—such as calling candidates, leaving voicemails, chasing responses, and screening applicants—helping companies fill positions faster in sectors like retail, logistics, hospitality, and technical services.
Vincent Theeten, CEO and co-founder, said:
“Europe faces a structural shortage of blue-collar workers. Many candidates don’t have LinkedIn profiles or CVs, and communication barriers often slow hiring. Ringtime automates recruitment conversations on the candidate’s terms, using the right channel, language (22 options), and timing to connect efficiently.”
Founded in 2025 by Theeten, Johan Krijgsman, Michiel Vanhaverbeke, and Diederik Syoen, the startup has built a platform that orchestrates inbound and outbound conversations, screens applicants, and matches them to vacancies. By reducing manual effort, recruiters can focus on high-priority cases while maintaining speed and accuracy in high-volume hiring.
Ringtime’s technology has already been applied beyond recruitment, including real estate and technical installations, where speed, volume, and coordination are critical. The platform currently manages property viewings for ERA, allowing clients to book visits automatically outside office hours, with significant efficiency gains.
With the new funding, Ringtime plans to grow its product team, expand marketing, and develop features tailored to blue-collar recruitment. Over the next five years, the company aims to expand into Europe—including the Netherlands, UK, and Germany—and eventually the US, positioning itself as an AI-first infrastructure connecting labour supply and demand across sectors, languages, and borders.
