SHRMLabs, Techstars Announce Partnership to Connect Workplace Tech Innovators

Alexandria, Va. - Today, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) through SHRMLabs, announced a partnership with Techstars' Workforce Development Accelerator, an accelerator focused on addressing the challenges of the modern dynamic labor market through innovative technologies including voice, AI, blockchain and more.

SHRMLabs, powered by SHRM, is inspiring innovation to create better workplace technologies that solve today's most pressing workplace challenges.

"This partnership will allow for SHRMLabs to bring together leading innovators and Human Resources technology experts with global investors, and corporations," said Guillermo Corea, SHRMLabs Managing Director. "Techstars supports the SHRMLabs mission to create better workplaces and solve the challenges inhibiting organizations and industry professionals to optimize performance."

Techstars is among the largest venture investor, by volume, in early-stage technology companies globally. The Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator is pursuing an investment at the intersection of the future of work, workforce education, and Human Resource (HR) technology.

"Human-centric innovation for the workforce requires a combination of deep empathy for job seekers and employees, an integrated understanding of the challenges company leaders and HR face, and a creative perspective on how to apply technology to change to build new solutions. This partnership, bringing together Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator and SHRMLabs, are those exact ingredients," said Taylor McLemore, Managing Director of the Techstars Workforce Development Accelerator. "I am confident this collaboration between the SHRM community and the Techstars network will advance the standard for HR innovation for the benefit of employees and companies globally."

The partnership entails:

• SHRMLabs and Techstars will collaborate on a Workplace Innovation Zone at SHRM21, and subsequent SHRM conferences in 2022. The Workplace Innovation Zone at SHRM21 will showcase the five finalists of the first ever Better Workplaces Challenge Cup, as well as startups from Techstars' Workforce Development Accelerator.
• A "State of Workplace Tech" report to be published in 2022
• Launch of a Workplace Tech Council and a Workplace Tech Summit 2022 that will bring together HR executives from the SHRM membership, technology innovators, and executives from the Techstars network. The purpose of these initiatives will be to advance the discussion of the future of work and workplace technology trends, creating the opportunity for thought leadership and acceleration of innovation development and adoption.
• Collaboration on a Workplace Tech Learning series to launch in 2022, in support of the development of tech savvy HR talent.

To learn more about SHRMLabs, and future Better Workplaces Challenge Cup pitch competitions, please visit  https://www.shrmlabs.com/.

About SHRM
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM. 

About Techstars

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas—entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,500 companies with a combined market cap of more than $220B. www.techstars.com