CollabWORK, a pioneering hiring platform founded by CEO Summer Delaney, emerged victorious at the 2025 FutureHR: The Ultimate Startup Showdown, hosted by HR.com during the HRWest 2025 Conference in Oakland, California.
The competition showcased emerging HR, benefits, and recruiting technologies from startups nationwide, with participants competing for recognition and support. To qualify, startups were required to offer HR-focused solutions and have not yet completed a Series B funding round.
CollabWORK’s innovative platform distinguishes itself by leveraging online professional networks and artificial intelligence to connect top talent with job opportunities. The company’s unique approach focuses on curated professional communities, enabling nuanced candidate sourcing and modern referral processes.
Alongside CollabWORK, two additional startups received top honors. Globalized Health secured second place with a solution addressing escalating healthcare costs for employers, while Hire.Inc claimed third place with an AI-powered recruitment platform designed to streamline hiring processes.
Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com, emphasized the competition’s significance in driving workforce innovation. ‘In today’s fast-paced technological landscape, new ideas and automation are fundamentally reshaping our approach to human capital management,’ McGrath noted.
The competition’s judging panel comprised leading HR solution analysts and investors who provided transparent scoring and feedback to participants. Winners received valuable prizes to support their continued growth and development.
CollabWORK’s Delaney expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating the award validates their approach to connecting employees with emerging job opportunities. The startup’s referral-based model, supported by performance data and human oversight, promises a personalized yet scalable recruitment experience.
By highlighting these innovative startups, HR.com aims to inspire advancements in human capital management and reshape the future of recruiting and workforce engagement.
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