Last Call for HR Tech Founders to Fast-Track Growth Through SHRM Labs’ 2026 WorkplaceTech Accelerator
The application window closes November 1, 2025.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – SHRM Labs, the innovation hub of SHRM, the trusted authority on all things work, workers, and the workplace, has announced that the application window for the 2026 WorkplaceTech Accelerator (WTA) program will officially close on November 1, 2025. The fifth annual program is currently accepting applications from high-growth technology startups addressing today’s most pressing workplace challenges. Startups interested in accelerating growth and elevating their brand with the backing of the world's largest HR organization are encouraged to apply in the final weeks of the application window.
The SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator is a comprehensive 12-week immersive program designed to help workplace tech companies scale even faster through direct access to 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 professionals.
"SHRM Labs’ mission is to support founders building the tools that will define how we work tomorrow,” said Andy Biladeau, Chief Transformation Officer at SHRM. “We equip them with meaningful connections, smart capital, and insider perspectives from seasoned industry leaders. WorkplaceTech Accelerator is a launchpad where startups get real-time feedback from the organizations they’re building for."
Throughout the 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, offering
continued access to SHRM resources and a prominent platform within the HR community.
Since its launch, the WorkplaceTech Accelerator program has supported more than a dozen innovative companies making a measurable impact. Collectively, participants generate more than $150 million in annual recurring 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.
“Participating in the SHRM Labs WorkplaceTech Accelerator was one of the most transformative experiences for TransCrypts,” said Zain Zaidi, TransCrypts co-founder, CEO, and a 2025 WorkplaceTech Accelerator graduate. “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.”
Learn more about SHRM Labs, the WorkplaceTech Accelerator Program, program benefits, and eligibility on the SHRM Labs website.
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.