SHRM Labs Opens Applications for 2026 WorkplaceTech Accelerator Program
The application window will be open from September 1 through November 1, 2025.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Today, SHRM Labs, the innovation hub of SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, announced that applications are open for the 2026 WorkplaceTech Accelerator (WTA) program. The fifth annual program will accept applications from high-growth technology startups addressing today’s most pressing workplace challenges. The application window will be open from September 1 through November 1, 2025.
The SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator is a comprehensive 12-week immersive program designed to help workplace tech companies scale even faster through direct access of SHRM’s expansive HR network and platforms. Each participating startup receives a $200,000 equity investment from SHRM and gains unparalleled access to SHRM's extensive network of HR.
"The WorkplaceTech Accelerator is designed to find and foster the next generation of technologies shaping the future of work," said Andy Biladeau, Chief Transformation Officer at SHRM. "We provide founders with the connections, capital, and deep industry insights necessary to tackle some of the biggest business challenges organizations are facing today. It’s a unique opportunity for startups to gain direct feedback and business development exposure from the very leaders they aim to serve."
Throughout the 12-week accelerator program, participants engage in a mix of virtual and in-person events, including a curated advisory council of HR and business experts tailored to their specific needs. The program culminates with showcases at SHRM's major conferences, providing significant visibility. Upon completion, graduates join the SHRM Labs alumni network, which offers continued access to SHRM resources and a prominent platform within the HR community.
Since its launch, the WTA program has supported more than a dozen innovative companies making a measurable impact. Collectively, WTA participants generate more than $150 million in annual recuring revenue (ARR) and have achieved a combined valuation of $1.2 billion. Startups in the 2024 cohort saw a 44% increase in ARR from pre-program to 6 months post-graduation.
Sparrow, a leave management solution from the inaugural 2022 WTA cohort, recently raised $35 million in Series B funding, bringing its total investment to $64 million as it continues to address the growing complexity of workplace leave management.
TransCrypts, a blockchain-based employment verification platform and 2025 WTA graduate, highlights the programs influence on their growth:
“Participating in the SHRM Labs Workplace Accelerator was one of the most transformative experiences for Transcrypts,” said Zain Zaidi, Co-founder & CEO. The program not only connected us with visionary HR leaders and mentors but also gave us the tools, insights, and community to sharpen our product and accelerate our impact. The support and guidance we received have been invaluable in shaping our growth journey, and I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to any founder looking to reimagine the future of work.”
Startups interested in accelerating their growth and elevating their brand with the backing of the world's largest HR organization are encouraged to apply. For more information on program benefits and eligibility, visit the SHRM Labs website.
About the WorkplaceTech Accelerator Program
The WorkplaceTech Accelerator is a 12-week program in which startup participants are immersed in the HR market and the needs of workers and the workplace. The program includes in-person and virtual events during which startup participants can gain business development exposure, learn about the HR field, and perfect their products. Upon graduation, accelerator participants will become alumni of the SHRM Labs program, which comes with the ability to access SHRM and SHRM Labs' network, giving them greater visibility within the HR community.
During the program, each startup works with a curated advisory council comprised of HR and business executives. In addition, they receive a $200,000 equity investment from SHRM, with potential additional investments dependent on milestones. For a full list of program benefits, visit: https://www.shrm.org/labs/workplace-tech-accelerator/frequently-asked-questions
Learn more about SHRM Labs and the WorkplaceTech Accelerator Program here: https://www.shrm.org/labs
About SHRM
SHRM is a member-driven catalyst for creating better workplaces where people and businesses thrive together. As the trusted authority on all things work, SHRM is the foremost expert, researcher, advocate, and thought leader on issues and innovations impacting today’s evolving workplaces. With nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, SHRM touches the lives of more than 362 million workers and their families globally. Discover more at SHRM.org.
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