Veremark has launched The Workplace Accelerator, the first dedicated HR tech Accelerator in APAC.  Starting in October, the program aims to provide real-world, tangible, and relevant expertise to the problems each of the businesses is facing as they scale.  The aim is to give them hands-on guidance from HR tech Functional subject matter experts whilst also providing real-world access to add new and game-changing clients.

Veremark.com is a digital-first background screening provider that provides the candidates with a blockchain-based career passport to use throughout their careers.  Veremark's CEO, Daniel Callaghan is Managing Partner for the Workplace Accelerator and has a long history in HR tech having originally built one of the top VC backed freelance marketplaces in Europe and then running Adecco Group's digital Innovation and Investment Arm across APAC.  He is also an advisor to the startup builder Antler as well as the German Accelerator South East Asia and a venture partner at Unifier.VC

Daniel is joined in leading the Workplace Accelerator by two other HR Tech experts.  Jean Pierre Sedaghat who is the founder of Vantage Capital Asia, a tech investment advisory focused on South East Asia.  He has a long history in helping HR tech businesses raise investment as well as being an active figure in the Singapore Angel scene.  Alongside Jean Pierre, the 3rd founding partner of the Workplace Accelerator is Andrei Majewski who is the founder of the global HRTechTank, an international roadshow that connects the best startup solutions to corporates and angels through live demo days and workshops.

The Program

The program will be run by an experienced accelerator leader with John Lim Jian Da acting as Program Director with experience at SG Innovate, KPMG, and Longhash, the global blockchain incubator. In addition, it is also supported by a number of partners from government bodies across the region as well as leading HR Trade bodies providing further market access and insight

The program is structured over 12 weeks with 10 dedicated expert advisors who will each spend a minimum of 22 hours with the businesses giving guidance and masterclasses on their specialist topics. It will also have over 50+ mentors who have volunteered their involvement and willingness to meet with the startups to discuss their real-world pain points and potential needs.  

The virtual accelerator is looking for early-stage HR tech startups that focus on areas like Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Workforce Management, HR & Admin, and Productivity & Collaboration tools. The company must have a product with some existing clients and users.  They must also be based in or focused on growing in South East Asia. 

In the first cohort, 10 companies will be accepted initially. They will get access to all of the above as well as the ongoing support of the community.  The accelerator expects each business to receive $100k USD investment throughout the program and get numerous perks and benefits from various startup ecosystem providers.

The launch comes as the partners believe that HR tech can be a force for good for creating a better working world. Given the impact that HR Tech can have on the region and its clear and growing importance, there is a clear opportunity to create regional champions.  There hasn't yet been a regional HR Tech unicorn-like in ecommerce or logistics, meaning that as a sector it has not seen the attention it deserves from the investment community which is something that the accelerator is keen to change. In short, it aims to help the tools that will shape how the world's fastest-growing markets work.

Applications are open now at www.workplaceaccelerator.com