The SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator: A Catalyst for Innovation

Founders are a unique type of person—they see a problem and immediately imagine a solution. 

This ability to identify gaps and take decisive action is at the core of entrepreneurship, and it’s also what excites me about the SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator. The program fuels the drive of founders who are not just creating companies but also actively shaping the future of work. As we continue to navigate a rapidly changing workforce and technological landscape, the need for innovation has never been more pressing. Founders have a unique role in this transformation, acting as the architects of the next generation of solutions that will redefine how we live, work, and connect. 

Entrepreneurship is about far more than just starting a business. It’s about unlocking human potential—finding innovative ways to address real challenges and create meaningful impact. Founders don’t just see what’s missing; they envision a future where their solutions have already made the world a better place. That’s why I am so passionate about programs like the SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator. Not only do they empower entrepreneurs to take their ideas to the next level, but they also align with the broader mission of using technology to enhance mental, emotional, and social health within the workplace. 

As someone who has dedicated my career to exploring the intersection of human potential and technology, I believe in the power of entrepreneurship to drive transformative change—and I have accelerated hundreds of founders and supported thousands more through community. Whether it’s leveraging technology to enhance mental health, building tools that foster better workplace cultures, or creating a business model that disrupts traditional industries—founders are central to this mission of creating greater inclusivity. I have seen firsthand how the right support can enable entrepreneurs to scale their ideas into solutions that touch lives and improve the way we work.  

Designed to Support Growth-Stage Tech Startups 

The SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator is a unique program designed to support growth-stage startups that are developing innovative solutions for the future of work. The program offers $200,000 in equity investment via a simple agreement for future equity (SAFE), mentorship from a curated advisory council of HR and business leaders, and access to SHRM’s global network. 

SHRM Labs’ commitment to supporting growth-stage tech startups through the WorkplaceTech Accelerator is not just admirable—it’s necessary. In today’s business environment, startups face enormous challenges, from securing funding to scaling quickly enough to meet market demand. The WorkplaceTech Accelerator program offers a solution by providing these founders with critical resources at the right time. The accelerator doesn’t just invest financially; it provides founders with access to SHRM’s extensive network of HR professionals, business leaders, and industry experts. This combination of capital and connections enables entrepreneurs to scale their ideas faster and with more precision. 

The program is unique in its ability to connect founders directly with HR practitioners and leaders in the field. These are the individuals who will eventually be using or recommending their products, and that early feedback is invaluable for shaping market-ready solutions. The WorkplaceTech Accelerator gives founders the chance to refine their ideas and improve their offerings before they enter the broader market. This not only boosts their odds of success but also ensures the products coming out of the accelerator are tailored to meet the real-world needs of today’s workforce. 

At its core, the SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator embodies everything I believe about the future of work: that human potential, supported by ethical artificial intelligence and transformative technology, can create lasting value for individuals and organizations alike. It’s not just about technology for technology’s sake—it’s about developing solutions that truly enhance the human experience at work. From employee engagement tools to AI-driven recruitment platforms, the accelerator fosters innovation in areas that matter most to businesses and their people. 

AI Is Everywhere: Why I’m Excited About This Year’s Cohort 

As we look ahead to this year’s applicants, I’m particularly excited because we are entering a new phase of AI adoption. We expect AI to be everywhere, transforming every corner of the business world, especially in HR and workforce technology. AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s here, and companies that learn how to harness its potential will lead the charge into the next era of work. Across my vantage point of seeing startups and innovative technologies, I’m noticing three critical trends that are shaping the way companies are building solutions: 

1. AI is being integrated everywhere because of the power of personalization. 

Personalization is no longer a nice-to-have feature; it’s becoming a core component of the best workplace technologies. AI allows companies to provide individualized experiences for employees, whether that’s through personalized learning and development tools, mental health support, or career development platforms. This level of personalization enables companies to offer solutions that resonate with employees on a deeper level, leading to better engagement and higher satisfaction. 

Personalization is particularly powerful in HR technology because it allows companies to cater to the specific needs of their workforce. For example, an AI-driven platform can recommend training and development opportunities based on an individual’s career goals and learning style, creating a more engaged and capable workforce. This is the kind of innovation that makes a lasting impact on organizations, improving both productivity and employee well-being. 

2. Companies are building things that weren’t possible or affordable just three years ago.  

Startups are now building solutions that were unimaginable and unaffordable just a few years ago, thanks to the rapid evolution of large language models (LLMs) and other advanced AI technologies. These advancements have significantly lowered the barriers to entry, enabling startups to access powerful tools that were once limited to large corporations with vast resources. LLMs allow companies to tackle complex challenges like natural language processing, automated customer service, and content generation at a fraction of the cost and time previously required. This shift has opened the door to unprecedented innovation, accelerating the development of AI-driven products across industries. 

These advancements are empowering entrepreneurs to address challenges such as employee engagement, mental health, and workforce collaboration with new levels of sophistication and impact. The ability to leverage AI for scalable, cost-effective solutions that were prohibitively expensive just a few years ago is democratizing innovation, allowing more startups to enter the market and build impactful businesses. This is one of the reasons I’m so excited about the next generation of participants in the SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator program—they represent the future of transformative, AI-driven workplace technology. 

3. Companies are building AI agentic backends that lower the entry costs of founding and operating companies, leading to more startups.  

One of the most exciting trends I’m seeing is the rise of AI-first companies that are using agentic backend systems to automate much of the operational workload involved in starting a business. These companies are using AI to streamline processes such as accounting and customer service, making it easier and cheaper for entrepreneurs to get their businesses off the ground. 

This shift is lowering the cost of entry for startups, enabling more entrepreneurs to join the fray. In turn, this is creating a more competitive and innovative market as new players come in with fresh ideas and the ability to scale rapidly. The result is a dynamic ecosystem of startups that are better equipped to bring innovative products to market, and I expect to see many of this year’s accelerator applicants taking full advantage of this trend. 

Supporting Ethical AI and Innovation 

One of the core principles of the SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator is its commitment to supporting ethical AI and responsible technology. As AI becomes more embedded in workplace technology, the ethical implications of its use must be carefully considered. This is particularly important in HR technology, where decisions made by AI systems can have a direct impact on people’s careers and livelihoods. 

SHRM Labs is committed to helping startups navigate these complexities. The accelerator program provides founders with access to resources and insights on how to build AI systems that are fair, transparent, and human-centered. This alignment with ethical standards is critical not only for the success of individual companies but also for the broader impact of technology on society. Startups in the WorkplaceTech Accelerator are encouraged to think critically about how their products affect users, ensuring their solutions benefit everyone, including HR professionals and employees. 

By fostering a culture of ethical innovation, SHRM Labs is helping to ensure the future of work is one where technology enhances, rather than diminishes, the human experience. 

Making a Real Impact on the Future of Work 

Entrepreneurs and innovators are building groundbreaking solutions—ultimately shaping the future of work—and the SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator is helping them bring these ideas to life. By offering access to capital, mentorship, and an unparalleled network of HR professionals and business leaders, SHRM Labs is positioning tech startups for success in a competitive and rapidly evolving market. 

With AI playing an increasingly central role in shaping the workplace, the need for ethical, human-centered solutions is more critical than ever. The WorkplaceTech Accelerator is not only fostering innovation but also ensuring the technologies of tomorrow are built with the best interests of people and organizations in mind. 

I’m excited to see what this year’s cohort will bring to the table. With AI-first companies on the rise, new breakthroughs in personalization, and unprecedented access to technological tools, the startups in this year’s accelerator program are poised to make a real impact on the future of work. I look forward to watching them shape a future where human potential is enhanced by ethical, transformative technology.