Mercer debuts HRTech Incubator in partnership with WeWork Labs

HR consultancy Mercer has announced the creation of its HRTech Incubator Program in collaboration with WeWork Labs, the accelerator-type service of shared workspace giant WeWork. The incubator will focus exclusively on future of work technology startups.

With human resources technology evolving at a rapid pace, Mercer is injecting itself into the fray with an industry-specific incubator which leverages the firm’s expansive network, thought leadership, and client base. The initiative is being launched in partnership with WeWork Labs, which provides early stage startups with places to work and learn through a monthly rent-based model.

The Mercer HRTech Incubator’s inaugural class includes: Vetty, a blockchain and AI-powered platform for employee vetting; Learnerbly, a SaaS solution for enterprise learning programs; and Retirety, a platform offering education resources on employee benefits.

Mercer will help participants initially refine their offering, ensuring the value proposition actually resonates with potential clients. Advisors will also help the startups develop product concepts and identify future market needs.“The incubator program represents a significant commitment as we continue to unite people and technology, while harnessing the value of digital technologies such as blockchain and AI,” said Gail Evans, Mercer’s Global Chief Digital Officer. “We have a heritage of being collaborative and for looking at new avenues and opportunities to empower and assist our clients, and this incubator enables Mercer and our clients to co-create new and exciting value propositions.”

Alongside structured access to Mercer clients interested in new HR solutions, the incubator program will also provide opportunities for future investment participation. Crucially, startups will receive the mentorship and insights of Mercer’s 20,000+ team of health, wealth, and career experts.

“Given Mercer’s stellar reputation in the human resources space, we knew we would be an ideal match for their incubator program,” commented Learnerbly Founder and CEO Rajeeb Dey. “We are particularly enthused about Mercer’s advanced insights into the future of work – which speaks directly to the themes that we are addressing at Learnerbly.”

Vetty’s Head of Growth Brad Heber added, “What was really interesting to us about Mercer was not only their impressive subject matter expertise, but their reach into an amazing set of customers who can offer us insights we won’t find anywhere else.”

The mutually beneficial collaboration environment will get Mercer on the ground floor of hot new technologies – and potentially bring those advanced solutions to clients, while at the same time giving promising startups a better shot at success.

“Clients rely on Mercer to help create and maintain a thriving workforce and as their needs evolve, they want to be regularly exposed to new ways of thinking and to new tools and services,” said Barb Marder, Global Innovation Leader for Mercer. “The Mercer Incubator will create an environment to deliver new solutions that will help organizations thrive in the digital age and be forward-looking.”