Compt Wins Inaugural SHRMLabs Better Workplaces Challenge Cup
Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) today announced Compt won the inaugural SHRMLabs Better Workplaces Challenge Cup, a competition to highlight the most innovative workplace technology solutions from companies across the U.S.
Las Vegas — Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) today announced the winner of the inaugural SHRMLabs Better Workplaces Challenge Cup, a competition to highlight the most innovative workplace technology solutions from companies across the U.S. The competition aims to bridge the gap between companies that are creating workplace technologies and end-users: HR professionals and their workforces. It is the first competition of its kind in which HR practitioners had a direct role in determining the workplace innovations that are truly needed, especially during this time of great disruption in the workplace.
SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP made the announcement at SHRM's Annual Conference and Exposition (SHRM21), and presented the winner with a cup. The winner also won a $50,000 cash prize.
"Congratulations to Compt, and to all of our finalists," said Nick Schacht, SHRM-SCP, chief global development officer at SHRM. "Each and every one of the participants in our Better Workplaces Challenge Cup is providing real solutions to real HR challenges. It is our goal to bring investors and innovators together and to continue to highlight companies finding creative solutions to help reconfigure the workplace to meet both employers' and employees' needs."
Amy Spurling, CEO and Founder, Compt, said, "This was an incredible experience and Compt is honored to be recognized as a solution to support HR teams and their people."
More than 150 organizations across the United States initially competed for the prize with five regional winners being invited to present at SHRM21 in the final round of competition. The five winners of the regional competitions that advanced to the finals in Las Vegas include:
- Compt: A perk stipend software company based in Boston, Mass.
- Symba: An all-in-one workforce management platform for talent development programs based in Chicago, Ill.
- TiLT: A leave management platform based in Fort Collins, Colo.
- UnboXt: A leadership development platform based in Atlanta, Ga.
- WorkWhile: A technology company that connects hourly workers to shifts based in San Francisco, Calif.
The finalists made their last pitch to a panel of judges, including Daymond John, award-winning entrepreneur and star of ABC's Shark Tank. Other judges that made up the 5-person panel included:
- Nasir Qadree, Managing Director, Zeal Capital
- Allison Baum Gates, General Partner, SemperVirens
- Ian Fisk, Executive Director, Mentor Capital Network
- Amber Clayton, Director, SHRM Knowledge Center
"This competition exposes HR professionals to innovative technologies that will help them reconfigure the workplace to meet both employers' and employees' needs," said Guillermo Corea, managing director of SHRMLabs. "In turn, these startups have an opportunity to hear from professionals working in HR on their needs to build more efficient workplace solutions. It's truly a win-win."
To enter the competition, participants were required to submit a video presentation and take part in a Q&A session with a panel of judges from local SHRM chapter leadership and SHRM staff. Competitors were evaluated on business viability, ability to create better workplaces and added value to SHRM members. The top three startups from each local round advanced to the regional round. The remaining companies presented a more in-depth pitch and participated in another Q&A with a panel of senior SHRM executives and other business leaders at the regional rounds held in June.
"The best solutions developed by innovating companies such as these, are the ones that give tools or insights to HR leaders' strategic process or automate logistics to free up more time to devote to employee needs," said Marc Goldberg, SHRM's chief technology officer.
To learn more about SHRMLabs, and future Better Workplaces Challenge Cup challenges, 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.
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