SHRM Labs Opens Applications for 2027 WorkplaceTech Accelerator Program
The application window will be open from September 1 through November 1, 2026
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – SHRM Labs, the workplace innovation and venture capital arm of SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, today announced that applications are now open starting September 1 for the 2027 WorkplaceTech Accelerator (WTA) program. The sixth annual program will accept applications from high-growth technology startups addressing today’s most pressing workplace challenges. The application window will be open through November 1, 2026.
The SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator is a comprehensive 14-week immersive program designed to help workplace technology companies scale faster through direct access to SHRM’s expansive HR network, expertise, and platforms. Each participating startup receives a $200,000 equity investment from SHRM while gaining access to HR and business leaders who can provide critical feedback, market insights, and opportunities for growth.
“Technology is changing how work gets done, but innovation for innovation’s sake isn’t enough,” said SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP. “The real measure of workplace technology is whether it solves problems and drives better outcomes for workers and businesses. Through the WorkplaceTech Accelerator, SHRM is connecting entrepreneurs with the expertise and real-world feedback they need to build solutions that deliver.”
During the accelerator, participants engage in a mix of virtual and in-person events and work with 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 participating companies with visibility and opportunities to connect directly with HR decision-makers. Upon completion, graduates join the SHRM Labs alumni network, offering continued access to SHRM resources and a prominent platform within the HR community.
WTA companies are developing solutions across some of the most consequential challenges facing today’s workplaces. Members of the 2026 cohort are addressing issues ranging from developing managers to lead through AI-driven change and preserving human judgment in AI-supported workplace investigations to verifying candidate skills in an era of generative AI and modernizing complex, compliance-heavy offboarding processes.
Since the program’s inception, cohort companies have raised $542.35 million across five cohorts. Graduates of the 2025 cohort have more than doubled their annual recurring revenue (ARR) within their first year after completing the program.
The program offers more than an investment for participating startups. Founders and executives point to access to SHRM’s network, credibility in the HR market, and direct feedback from workplace leaders as critical benefits of the accelerator.
"For me, the greatest value has been market validation. Creating a new category requires more than a great product, it requires trusted partners who elevate your thinking, validate your strategy, and connect you with the right customers," said Sarah Rodehorst, CEO and Co-Founder of Onwards HR. "SHRM Labs has done exactly that, making it one of the most impactful accelerator programs we’ve participated in."
"SHRM Labs gave Testlify what capital can’t — the network, credibility, and candid feedback to scale a bootstrapped company the right way,” said Namrata Kamdar, COO and Co-Founder of Testlify.
Startups interested in accelerating their growth, strengthening their products, and elevating their brands 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 14-week program in which startup participants are immersed in the HR market and the evolving needs of workers and workplaces. The program includes in-person and virtual events during which startup participants can gain business development exposure, deepen their understanding of the HR field, and refine their products. Upon graduation, accelerator participants become alumni of the SHRM Labs program, gaining continued access to SHRM and SHRM Labs’ network and greater visibility within the HR community.
During the program, each startup works with a curated advisory council composed of HR and business executives. In addition, participants receive a $200,000 equity investment from SHRM, with potential additional investments dependent on milestones.
For a full list of program benefits and additional information about SHRM Labs and the WorkplaceTech Accelerator Program, visit 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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