The first cohort of the HR Tech, Australia’s first HR Startup accelerator is a sign that diversity will be a key driver of innovation and disruption across the HR industry.
Leaders from global recruitment and talent solutions giant Hudson, jobs monolith SEEK and University of Technology Sydney (UTS) joined corporate accelerator Slingshot to announce the 12 startups and scaleups who make up the program’s inaugural cohort.
It includes a mix of businesses addressing key issues in the HR space, with female entrepreneurs in the majority of the accepted founder teams.
Startups
Cohelix makes employment fair and easy.
Gemini 3 is a match-making platform connecting job share ideal partners.
HI VIS is an online platform connecting the construction & trades industry.
Opentute is an eLearning portal for on-boarding and course sales.
Talent X-change is an online marketplace for organisations to find and create mutually beneficial cross-company secondment opportunities for leaders.
Scaleups
Adepto is a platform for companies to manage and engage their own contingent workforce.
Art of Mentoring offers entoring programs that deliver business growth, culture & human development.
Flex Careers is an employment platform connecting female workers with businesses.
iComplii handles digital identities.
My Interview offers a video interview platform and API + data analytics.
PlanDo offers skills development for the new world of work.
Talent Vine is an aggregator connecting employers and top-rated recruiters.
HR-tech is designed to connect progressive corporates with top-tier startups and scaleups to drive innovation in the future of work. The 12-week structured program will enable the founders to develop and validate compelling business models and secure the traction, viability and investment needed to succeed.
What is the motivation behind this accelerator?
Mark Steyn, CEO Asia Pacific, Hudson, said, “This inaugural cohort addresses many key issues impacting the HR space including employee engagement, the gig economy, talent development, diversity and disruptive technology such as artificial intelligence (AI). We are thrilled to participate in and use Hudson’s global resources and extensive business network to begin bringing these ideas to life.”
Ronnie Fink, SEEK Corporate Development Director says it’s involvement in the HR Tech accelerator offers a great opportunity to share the learnings of SEEK’s journey from start-up to global business, and also tap in to exciting new businesses in the broader HR ecosystem.
“We hope there are opportunities for these businesses to tap into SEEK’s insight and experience, and potentially create relationships beyond the life of the program”.
Startups can receive up to $30,000 from the Slingshot Investment Fund for equity in the business as well as training and resources, support team of mentors and access to co-working space.
This is Slingshot’s largest cohort to date and the first to include Startups from outside of Australia. CEO Karen Lawson says it is testament to the exciting innovation happening in the future of work space.
“This is one of our most inspiring cohorts yet. The Startups and Scaleups are focused on some of the industry’s biggest challenges. Facilitating the collaboration between them and forward-thinking organisations such as Hudson and SEEK will create the best opportunities for meaningful, impactful innovation.”
“Recent reports have shown that women make up the majority of the HR industry but continue to be underrepresented in technology roles that are so closely tied with the Startup community. HR Tech is a unique opportunity to foster the experience and ideas of female founders in this space.”
HR Tech will also see involvement from a new Entrepreneur In Residence, Ben Hutt, who recently stepped down as CEO of Search Party, a global recruitment marketplace.
Throughout his career, Ben has worked as a management consultant for top-tier firms, founded businesses across the UK and Australia and mentored many Startup founders and innovators. He has spent the past five years building Search Party, seeing the business through multiple capital raises, acquisitions, and international expansions.
