TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
SHOWCASING THE WINNERS
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TIARA Talent Tech Stars Awards US
Top tech
Ray Culver, Country Manager, Americas at TALiNT Partners In the fast-moving world of technology, there exist moments that transcend the ordinary, elevating individuals and organizations to the top of their game. On the evening of November 30th, in Dallas TX, we gathered said individuals and organizations to celebrate their successes and achievements throughout 2023 and looked towards 2024 in excitement. The TIARAs serve as a compass, directing our gaze toward the brightly shining, and rapidly rising, stars in various Talent Tech modalities who have not only set the bar high but have redefined what is possible. In the spirit of acknowledging outstanding contributions, the TIARA Talent Tech Star Awards are a testament to the unwavering dedication, innovation, and resilience that characterize the pursuit of excellence. Whether in the realms of innovation, growth, scale or forward thinking, this year’s TIARA Finalists are a showcase of the trailblazers whose efforts have left an indelible mark on this space. As you read more about the 2023 TIARA Talent Tech Star Winners, be prepared to be transported into a world where dedication meets recognition, and where dreams transform into reality. I ask that you join me in applauding those who have not only embraced challenges but have turned them
into steppingstones toward greatness. Whether it was an existing solution that needed to be enhanced within the talent tech space, or a new and innovative idea that has, and will continue to, transform the space, you will find it all within this year’s winners. In a year defined by rapid change and uncertainty, the 2023 TIARA Talent Tech Star Winners remind us that, despite the challenges we face, there is brilliance and resilience in every corner of the space. It is an affirmation that, through the recognition of outstanding achievements, we foster an environment where innovation thrives, aspirations soar, and the pursuit of excellence becomes a team sport. So, join me on this journey as we highlight and celebrate the 2023 TIARA Talent Tech Star Awards US winners. Let us celebrate, honor, and draw inspiration from the exceptional individuals and organizations that are shaping the Talent Tech space of today, and tomorrow. Job well done and congratulations to Worksome, WorkLLama, Survale, Jobvite, Staffing Future, Harri, Mercury and Magnit on being the best of the best, the top of the class, and for reminding us that dreaming big can pay off!
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TIARA Talent Tech Stars Awards US
TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
The Workforce Solution of the Year This Award recognizes any workforce solution that best enables improvement in talent acquisition, management or development for employers and / or recruitment companies. Worksome has positioned itself as a transformative force in the realm of freelancer engagement and compliance. In the dynamic landscape of the evolving gig economy, Worksome introduces Classify, an innovative solution that simplifies the intricacies of worker classification, notably navigating the complex terrain of IR35 compliance in the UK. Diverging from conventional methods, Worksome Classify empowers clients to determine tax status within minutes, a substantial advancement from the UK government’s CEST system, which, at its best, attains only 80% reliability and can take weeks for a resolution. The platform’s integrated worker classification system streamlines the entire process and ensures adherence to UK law by automatically deducting applicable taxes in IR35 scenarios. Facilitating seamless collaboration between clients and freelancers, the user-friendly interface guides them through classification questions during project initiation. Worksome’s commitment extends beyond classification, incorporating an efficient onboarding process that allows independent contractors to contribute swiftly to projects. Worksome goes beyond worker classification; it manages payments and assumes liability for HMRC challenges, mitigating client risks. This holistic approach alleviates administrative burdens and fosters client confidence, creating an environment conducive to agile project commencement.
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Worksome is focused on geographic and market expansion marked by the opening of their New York office in 2021, and a £13 million Series A funding round signals Worksome’s commitment to global expansion. The platform’s success is evident in its remarkable growth, achieving a 300% increase in gross revenues in 2021. Since its inception, Worksome has managed over 56,000 contracts on behalf of its clients and in 2023 alone, Worksome classified over 10,000 workers. Key additions to the leadership team, including former executives from Google, Beeline/Utmost, and Velocity Global, underscore the company’s strategic direction. In essence, Worksome transcends being a mere platform; it acts as a catalyst for change in the recruitment and staffing landscape. It seamlessly integrates efficiency, compliance, and a positive freelancer experience, making it the preferred choice for companies prioritizing quality, controlled cost-perhire, and ease of use in their recruitment tools. Worksome has undeniably redefined the freelancer engagement landscape, providing clients peace of mind and unlocking new possibilities in the gig economy. Judges’ comments: Judges praised Worksome for their streamlined ‘Classify’ feature, which uses an in-built system to determine tax status, leading to significant reductions in the time spent on contract administration.
FINALISTS HIGHLY COMMENDED
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The Contractor Solution of the Year This Award recognizes any contractor solution that best enables the attraction, assessment, management or development of contingent workers. In 2023, WorkLLama asserted its prominence as an industry trailblazer in Recruitment and Staffing, solidifying its reputation as a beacon of innovation and inclusivity. Following a strategic injection of $50 million in investment funding in February, the company adeptly directed these resources towards accelerating growth. Prioritizing team expansion, product enhancement, strategic acquisitions, and global reach, WorkLLama capitalized on this investment to position itself at the forefront of industry evolution. The company’s standing as a preferred direct sourcing strategic partner was reinforced through collaborations with esteemed global MSP/RPO providers such as Randstad Sourceright, CXC, Tapfin, SAP, AgileOne, High5, Hiregenics, and others. In the domain of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I), WorkLLama demonstrated its commitment through partnerships with Jobs for Humanity and The Ability People, reinforcing its dedication to fostering diversity within its platform. Demonstrating its global ambitions, WorkLLama expanded its presence across four continents, successfully launching its platform for customers in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, and various Asian countries. This expansion seamlessly aligned with the acquisition of net-new customers spanning diverse sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, aerospace, technology, and life sciences. A significant milestone was achieved with the securing of 15 new direct sourcing customers in the past three months. Internal growth mirrored external triumphs, with the team growing to over 125 employees across critical
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functions. The addition of new leadership in strategy, marketing, and sales in the U.S. and EMEA highlighted WorkLLama’s commitment to driving innovation and excellence. A noteworthy achievement was the doubling of sales and profits over the past year, validating the company’s product-market fit and its agility in navigating the evolving talent acquisition landscape. This financial success not only propels WorkLLama into hyper-growth mode but also solidifies its appeal for current and potential investors. Central to WorkLLama’s mission is a platform designed to treat talent like customers throughout their journey, with a specific focus on diversity. The company’s commitment is embedded in its platform, offering DE&I capabilities, targeted marketing campaigns, and tailored referral programs. Notable partnerships with organizations like The Ability People and Jobs for Humanity exemplify WorkLLama’s dedication to breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity. As WorkLLama continues its transformative journey in talent acquisition, the company’s vision remains resolute: to predict success, identify learning opportunities, and address personal challenges within the dynamic talent landscape. In a world where talent is diverse and dynamic, WorkLLama stands as a beacon of innovation, poised to shape the future of recruitment and staffing. Judges’ comments: WorkLLama were praised by judges for their holistic approach and the personalized experience their solution provides, as well as their AI technology enhancements and focus on partnerships.
FINALISTS
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TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
The Candidate Experience Solution of the Year This Award recognizes a solution that has best enabled employers and / or recruitment companies to improve any or all aspects of the candidate journey. Survale, a leading player in HR Tech, automates the process of gathering and using feedback from candidates, recruiters and hiring managers to optimize the people, processes and technologies used to deliver candidate experiences. Survale sits at the center of all hiring activities and ties the voice of the candidate to specific stages, processes and procedures. This distinctive standpoint empowers Survale to decipher the contentment levels of recruiters, hiring managers, and candidates, offering invaluable insights into the broader hiring landscape. From gauging the resonance of the employer brand to assessing the functionality of career site navigation, Survale’s real-time monitoring captures the essence of every aspect. Stakeholder feedback becomes a guiding compass, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in the hiring process. The platform spans a spectrum—from configuring Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and assessment systems to evaluating recruiter performance, alignment, and the efficacy of onboarding. The result is a continuous stream of data, a strategic asset for optimizing experiences and honing outcomes. Survale’s impact is validated by compelling metrics. In 2020, first-year clients witnessed a remarkable 25% increase in candidate Net Promoter Score (cNPS). The platform brought to light crucial issues, such as recruiters neglecting candidate status updates in ATS, resulting in communication gaps. Another case revealed that an AI system for internal mobility at a global digital automation company fell short of employee expectations, impeding opportunities.
FINALISTS
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TIARA Talent Tech Stars Awards US
WINNER
A notable revelation arose from a multi-brand brewing company, establishing a tangible connection between recruitment and revenue. Recognizing that 75% of candidates made product purchases, Survale justified investments in recruitment. At the core of its success is Survale’s dedication to a familial ethos. Founded by seasoned HR Tech executives, the company nurtures a familial environment for both employees and clients. Their fundamental belief centers on rectifying the erosion of candidate respect stemming from the tech-driven efficiency surge over the past two decades. Survale’s mission encompasses elevating the candidate experience and bridging the industry’s gap in internal talent acquisition capabilities through actionable data. Despite being a youthful, self-funded entity, Survale achieved remarkable growth—35% in revenue and a 50% expansion in the client roster—all while maintaining positive cash flow. This underscores their organic growth trajectory and commitment to operational sustainability. In essence, Survale emerges not merely as a solution but as a transformative force, unraveling the intricacies of hiring processes and enhancing the candidate experience to reshape the very fabric of recruitment outcomes. Judges’ comments: Judges praised Survale for their feedback platform which uses pulse surveys and diagnostic analytics throughout the entire hiring process to highlight which technologies and processes are impacting the candidate experience the most.
TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
The Recruitment Marketing Solution of the Year
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This Award recognizes a marketing solution that has best enabled employers and / or recruitment companies to achieve a successful talent acquisition campaign. Jobvite’s Recruitment Marketing Platform is recognized as a groundbreaking force in talent acquisition, delivering clients a comprehensive suite of marketing tools to nurture talent growth throughout the recruitment journey. The platform facilitates global job distribution, effortlessly disseminating job postings across major global job boards, social media, and agency partners such as LinkedIn, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Lensa, and talent.com. This optimization ensures heightened visibility for the right candidates, a pivotal factor in the fiercely competitive recruitment landscape. Employing Auto-Refresh functionality, the platform maintains top-of-search visibility, ensuring that older job listings remain prominent in the searches of prospective candidates. Additionally, the creation of multilingual career sites allows for the establishment of uniform brand images across multiple employers, featuring custom branding, blogs, and videos that are accessible across various devices and social platforms. The cornerstone of the platform lies in its candidatecentered experience, simplifying the application process through a personalized approach that eliminates barriers like registrations, usernames, and passwords. Strategic audience building further elevates engagement by supporting diversity, military, intern, and other hiring programs, tailoring the candidate experience to individual needs. A key feature of the platform is its engagement through campaigns, fortifying connections and nurturing candidate relationships through tailored email, text, web, and social campaigns. The integration of automation triggered by specific candidate actions enhances the effectiveness of these campaigns.
Highlighting its achievements, Jobvite proudly boasts over 2.2 million active users, showcasing robust user adoption and significant market appeal. The engagement of 71.2 million candidates in September alone underscores the platform’s extensive reach. During the same period, the platform recorded 1.7 million applications, emphasizing the success of its career sites, simplified application processes, and personalized job recommendations. Furthermore, Jobvite demonstrated its prowess in email marketing with 18.5 million email events in September, a critical element in proactive candidate nurturing and engagement. Client success stories further affirm Jobvite’s impact, with examples like Lockheed Martin saving 40 hours a week through smart automation, NatWest reducing advertising costs by 45%, UPMC filling 22K requisitions in one year, and CDW achieving an impressive 83% candidate conversation rate. Beyond serving as a platform, Jobvite embodies a catalyst for change, connecting the right talent with the right opportunities. With over 1500 global partnerships, Jobvite persistently provides tools and methodology to attract, engage, hire, and retain top talent, transforming statistics into success stories, shaping careers, and fostering meaningful connections. Judges’ comments: Judges praised Jobvite for their robust platform and dynamic approach, consistently adding and enhancing the functionality of their solution which positively impacts the recruitment and onboarding experience.
FINALISTS HIGHLY COMMENDED
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The DE&I Solution of the Year This Award recognizes a solution that has best enabled employers and / or recruitment companies to improve diversity, equity & inclusion in the talent acquisition process. At the forefront of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) innovation stands Magnit, offering a specialized solution that redefines the contours of the contingent workforce landscape. Diverging from conventional approaches, Magnit places a unique emphasis on utilizing data to solve the DE&I equation while instilling workforce diversity best practices, ensuring customized strategies tailored to the distinctive needs of each organization. In a groundbreaking collaboration with a multinational automotive manufacturer, Magnit’s DE&I solution played a pivotal role in achieving its diversity recruitment goals. By certifying diversity spending with suppliers, the company experienced a remarkable 13% surge in diversity hiring, reaching an impressive 100% in certified diversity spend. Similarly, a major life sciences company witnessed a 5% increase in Black representation and a notable 9% uptick in Hispanic representation within its contingent workforce, fostering a heightened sense of community and belonging. Magnit’s DE&I solution stands as a beacon of flexibility, adeptly catering to varying levels of organizational DE&I maturity. Regular engagements with client sponsors ensure continuous alignment with the latest research, recommendations, and best practices, making the service universally accessible. The comprehensive DE&I education, addressing unconscious bias and incorporating awareness campaigns, further solidifies Magnit’s transformative impact.
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Magnit’s DE&I-specific triumphs encompass engaging over 10,000 contingent workers in inclusion campaigns, collaborative initiatives with its Top 20 clients to enhance cultural inclusion, and partnerships with over 1,000 diverse suppliers. At its core, Magnit envisions a future where enterprises, suppliers, and workers seamlessly interact and are all enabled to thrive. Beyond business objectives, Magnit’s unwavering commitment to DE&I shines through. Partnering with MomProject.org, a survey revealed a resounding 90% optimism among respondents about working for an organization that values diversity. Magnit recognizes the profound impact of its work, empowering diverse professionals to seize opportunities and eradicating biases that hinder career advancement. In a world grappling with complex workforce challenges, Magnit remains steadfast in its dedication to innovation while fostering a more inclusive environment. Beyond its corporate walls, Magnit prioritizes environmental sustainability, community well-being, and the promotion of inclusive economies. Magnit’s journey transcends business; it’s a journey of empowerment, inspiring others to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion. Judges’ comments: Judges praised Magnit for recognizing the importance of data for talent and diversity, clearly demonstrating prioritization of privacy and security and combining services and technology to provide the insights into DE&I progress.
FINALISTS
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TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
The Talent Tech Innovation Award (<75 employees)
WINNER
This Award recognizes an HR or Recruitment technology solution that has transformed or substantially improved talent acquisition, management or development for employers and / or recruitment companies. Staffing Future’s award-winning platform distinguishes itself as a SaaS-based solution committed to service excellence. Through strategic collaborations with clients and seamless integration with their third-party technologies, the platform optimizes user experience (UX), technology, and search engine optimization (SEO). Continuous refinement at the UX, integration, and feature levels, driven by user feedback and performance metrics, ensures sustained performance improvements. A compelling success narrative unfolded six months after the platform’s implementation for a key client. A meticulous analysis of metrics and focused optimization efforts resulted in an impressive 141% surge in organic SEO traffic from job applications, demonstrating the platform’s tangible impact on client outcomes. The company’s growth trajectory has been extraordinary, achieving annual growth rates between 35% and 60% since its inception. Operating with a lean financial model, Staffing Future has achieved just under $3 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) and expanded its team to 35 members across five countries in under five years. Remarkably, this growth has been attained without significant external funding, with 93% ownership retained by the founders.
In 2023, overcoming challenges in the U.S. staffing industry, Staffing Future experiences a positive shift in customer retention. The introduction of several new features contributes to negative customer churn, resulting in increased net spending from existing clients. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy in light of the demanding year for U.S. staffing customers. Staffing Future’s success is underpinned by a peoplefirst philosophy. Founder Jack Copeland’s nine-year tenure with Broadbean Technology, coupled with mentorship from Broadbean founder Kelly Robinson, has cultivated a corporate culture prioritizing employee well-being. With a dedicated focus on fostering a positive environment for staff, Staffing Future achieves a rare milestone—no staff resignations in five years. This commitment underscores the belief that a thriving internal culture is essential for supporting both the product and clients. Judges’ comments: Staffing Future were praised by judges for a well-executed approach, giving candidates a great experience and allowing them to navigate their own career as well as demonstrating strong growth and great retention.
FINALISTS
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TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
The Talent Tech Innovation Award (75+ employees)
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This Award recognizes an HR or Recruitment technology solution that has transformed or substantially improved talent acquisition, management or development for employers and / or recruitment companies. Cafua Management Company (CMC), the largest Dunkin’ Donuts franchise in the U.S. with 225 locations and over 5,000 employees, embarked on a transformative digital journey in human capital and workforce management by collaborating with Harri. Under this partnership, Harri’s contributions were pivotal: Managerial Empowerment: Through Harri Live, managers were equipped with mobile applications, providing real-time sales and labor data, streamlined scheduling management, employee communication features, and compliance alerts. Transformed Candidate Experience: The digital overhaul of the application and onboarding process led to an impressive 400% reduction in time-to-hire. Integration of I-9 and background check systems simplified and enforced compliance measures. Smarter Scheduling: Harri’s Smart Scheduling became the linchpin for optimizing labor costs, boosting sales, considering employee preferences, and adapting to Dunkin’s unique operational structure. The Power of One: CMC streamlined its technology landscape from 11 disparate technologies to a unified platform, resulting in significant cost savings in subscriptions, maintenance, and process efficiencies. Agility and Innovation: Harri demonstrated adaptability and innovation, enabling meaningful and secure employee engagement amid the challenges posed by COVID-19. Quantifiable impacts showcased a 400% improvement in time-to-hire, an extraordinary 13,000 hours saved by managers in schedule building,
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and the acquisition of 271 customers by Harri. Monthly processing of over 1 million applications translated to a notable 50% year-over-year increase in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Addressing evolving industry needs, Harri introduced new features such as an Open API Platform, Multi-Unit Manager View, Conversational Onboarding, WOTC Screening, User Experience Refresh, Enhanced Shift Differential Pay, and Live Shift View. In terms of community engagement, Harri demonstrated social responsibility by launching Hospitality Unite—a not-for-profit job portal for Ukrainian refugees, in collaboration with the Sustainability Hospitality Alliance. Partnerships with Love146, Cafe Momentum, and Only a Pavement Away underscored Harri’s commitment to combatting human trafficking, supporting at-risk youth, and aiding homeless populations and veterans. In navigating the dynamic job market, Harri’s peoplefirst approach to operational efficiency, coupled with their community initiatives, underscores their commitment to transforming the hospitality industry and fostering positive social impact. Judges’ comments: Judges praised Harri for their innovative approach to sourcing and managing frontline talent, enabling managers to be proactive and productive as well as offering an intuitive and seamless user experience.
TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
The Best Talent Tech Company to Work For This Award recognizes employers of choice in talent tech who can demonstrate excellence in the attraction, induction, development, and retention of their own talent. Mercury, guided by the vision of “Power of the Possible,” redefines recruitment services by embracing adaptability and innovation. The Mercury platform seamlessly integrates with Microsoft’s suite, unlocking unique operational efficiencies across CRM, Outlook, Teams, and more. In a dataset of 170,000 vacancies, Mercury significantly accelerated the recruitment process. The time to submit the first resume decreased by 53% (Perm) and 40% (Contingent). Time to Acceptance witnessed a parallel improvement, plummeting by 53% (Perm) and 55% (Contingent). These efficiency gains translate to a quicker, more responsive service for clients, demonstrating Mercury’s commitment to excellence. One standout success story involves a 40% increase in wins for a client, showcasing the tangible impact of Mercury’s approach. The introduction of Mercury Assist, a Digital Adoption Platform, further reinforces their commitment to user empowerment. This integrated solution provides instant access to contextual help and training resources, ensuring users navigate the platform seamlessly, fostering a more intuitive learning experience. Committed to client success, Mercury expanded its team of platform consultants, offering personalized support to clients in leveraging platform technology to its fullest potential. Despite being privately owned,
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Mercury has achieved remarkable organic growth, experiencing revenue increases of over 50% for three consecutive years and a staggering 192% profit growth in FY22/23. The company’s growth is mirrored in its team, with expansions across functions in the UK, USA, and Australia, particularly in Development, Consultancy, and Customer Success teams. Mercury promotes an inclusive culture where autonomy is valued, and personal development is incentivized. The company’s dedication to employee growth is evident in their Microsoft badge program, encouraging skill acquisition and facilitating broader career opportunities for the team. In conclusion, Mercury’s success story is rooted in technological innovation, client-centricity, and a commitment to empowering its team. This entry highlights a transformative journey, marked by remarkable efficiency improvements, client successes, and sustainable, organic growth. Judges’ comments: Judges praised Mercury for promoting an inclusive culture that values autonomy and incentivizes personal development through vocational qualifications, enabling their employees to enhance their skills in their current role and future career path.
FINALISTS HIGHLY COMMENDED
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TIARA Talent Tech Stars Awards US
TIARA TALENT TECH STAR AWARDS US
The Talent Tech Champion of Champions Award This Award showcases a Talent Tech Star whose solution exemplifies innovation, while also delivering particularly far-reaching value and impact. This award in unique in that it is a judges choice award and the winner has been selected from the winners of each Tech Star category. Each of this year’s Tech Star winners are
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championing transformation and innovation in HR and Recruitment. Worksome were crowned the Champion of Champions for addressing the important challenges of contractor management and aiding companies around the world to attract and retain talent in a fully compliant manner, with cutting-edge innovation, client service and leadership.
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