SHRMLabs Announces 4th Annual Better Workplaces Challenge Cup (BWCC) Winner During SHRM24 Annual Conference & Expo

CHICAGO – Today, SHRMLabs, a SHRM subsidiary, announced Ovida as the winner of the 2024 Better Workplaces Challenge Cup (BWCC) at SHRM’s Annual Conference & Expo (SHRM24) in Chicago. BWCC is a competition to highlight the most innovative workplace technology solutions from companies across the globe, which awards the winner the cup and a $50,000 cash prize.

Ovida focuses on ethically using AI to help people communicate better, by enhancing self awareness, developing core skills like listening, asking questions, building trust, and ultimately improving how people connect with one another. Founded by Alex Haitoglou and Bryan Watson, Ovida's mission is to transform the leadership skills of 100 million professionals by 2030.

The three finalists, PeduL, Ovida, and eLockr, participated in a live pitch competition during the Annual SHRM Conference & Expo 2024 in Chicago on Tuesday, June 25th at 12:30PM CT. After pitching their workplace technology solution shark-tank style, a panel of judges convened and crowned Ovida as the winner of the $50,000 grand prize.  

The panel of judges for the 2024 BWCC included: 

• Amber Clayton, SHRM-SCP – Senior Director of Knowledge Center Operations at SHRM
• Steve Browne, SHRM-SCP – Chief People Officer at LaRosa’s, Inc.
• Ian Chiu – Managing Director at Owl Ventures

Touching on the true value behind this competition, Andy Biladeau, SHRM Chief Transformation Officer, commented, “In an ever-changing business environment and rapidly shifting demands from workers, we are watching workplace technology accelerate like never before. To help HR professionals get the most value from their technology decisions and elevate the capabilities of HR, the BWCC seeks to highlight the companies who are setting the pace and pulling us into the future.”

About the Better Workplaces Challenge Cup (BWCC): As a global competition, the BWCC is a three-round hybrid pitch competition to identify startups that are innovating the way we work. Startups present their solutions in front of HR experts, business leaders, and SHRM members with a chance to win $50,000 and take their business to the next level. 

To learn more about SHRMLabs and future Better Workplaces Challenge Cup competitions, please visit https://www.shrmlabs.com/. And to read more about each of the competitors, you can check out their profile coverage at SHRM Online.

About SHRM24  

SHRM24 will be offered both virtually and in-person. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss various topics related to talent acquisition and retainment, including but not limited to: HR technology, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), employment law, people and talent management, and workplace culture. To learn more, please visit: https://annual.shrm.org/   

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.