Conversations from RecFest Nashville

Mercor is an AI hiring platform that enables top tech companies and leading AI labs to hire experts at tech companies across software engineering, law, chemistry, finance, and many other professions. VC’s just gave them $30 million to grow the business. https://hrtechfeed.com/ai-job-marketplace-lands-30-million/ DailyPay a United States-based worktech company and provider of earned wage access (EWA), is expanding globally. Beginning this fall, DailyPay, an award-winning provider of EWA services, will have an EWA offering available in the United Kingdom, marking the company’s first foray outside the U.S. https://hrtechfeed.com/dailypay-announces-international-expansion-into-the-united-kingdom/ San Francisco, California – Kula’s latest launch is an all-in-one hiring platform that leverages generative AI to assist recruiters in sourcing, screening, scheduling, and capturing interview feedback with prospective hires, complete with an AI-powered analytics dashboard. This marks Kula’s evolution from a point-solution tool for sourcing candidates to a full platform alleviating all of the pain points recruiters have faced over the decades. https://hrtechfeed.com/kula-debuts-the-first-complete-hiring-platform-with-purpose-built-ai-for-recruiting/ LEBANON, N.H.– Appcast announced that Matt Molinari, currently the chief operating officer, will become the chief executive officer on January 1, 2025. Molinari succeeds Chris Forman, founder and CEO, who will retire after more than a decade of building and growing the company. https://hrtechfeed.com/appcast-ceo-to-retire-new-leadership-coming/ Recruitment software provider Greenhouse, has introduced a new system called Greenhouse Verified.  This system aims to give job seekers more confidence in the companies they apply to. To earn the Verified badge, companies must demonstrate a commitment to fair hiring practices, respect for candidates, and open communication. Greenhouse hopes that this will encourage more companies to create positive hiring experiences. https://hrtechfeed.com/greenhouse-launches-verified-badges-for-employersto-promote-trust-and-transparency-in-hiring/  

I travelled to Nashville for RecFest USA and hit up some industry folks while walking the grounds. In this episode you'll hear from; Mark Anderson form Advantage.ai Dan Sapir from JobGet Jake Morse from Pillar.hr Stephen McGrath from Poetry Gina Aliot from Shaker Steve Levy from DHI Group Krista Tan from Talent Collective Enjoy the audio!

Employ Inc., parent company of JazzHR, Lever, Jobvite and NXTThing RPO, today announced the opening of a new office space in Denver, Colo. this “Center of Excellence” will serve as a vital hub for strategic initiatives and operations in Denver, enabling Employ with a more collaborative environment to foster innovation and growth. https://hrtechfeed.com/employ-inc-opens-colorado-office/ SAN FRANCISCO — Censia, a leader in AI-driven talent intelligence solutions, announces a strategic investment from Workday Ventures. This investment underscores Censia’s innovative capabilities and positions it as a leading player in revolutionizing talent management through responsible artificial intelligence. https://hrtechfeed.com/censia-announces-investment-from-workday-ventures/ CareerBUilder & monster the completion of all customary regulatory approvals,for their recent merger. As previously announced, the combination of CareerBuilder and Monster brings together two complementary brands to create a job board with greater scale and reach. https://hrtechfeed.com/careerbuilder-and-monster-finalize-merger-name-new-execs/ Engine Capital, which owns approximately 3.5% of the outstanding shares of freelancer platform Upwork (Nasdaq: UPWK) recently announced it sent a letter to the Company’s Board of Directors regarding “actionable opportunities for enhancing shareholder value.” https://hrtechfeed.com/upwork-investor-calls-out-company-leadership-says-changes-needed/ Nexxt.com, the job advertising platform… announced two new organic offerings. The first offering, Nexxt Organic, will enable companies to attract quality candidate traffic to their jobs for free, either directly through Nexxt apply or through integrated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).   https://hrtechfeed.com/nexxt-introduces-organic-traffic-options-to-help-companies-source-talent-for-free/ New launch: Sync2Hire launched this week which enhances a company’s existing ATS functionality by taking the data from the ATS and organizing it into a centralized hub for all things post-application communications, offering a cohesive structure that ensures teams are always on the same page. https://hrtechfeed.com/sync2hire-lanuches-post-application-comms-platform/  

The Muse, a leading career platform serving millions of next-generation job seekers and fast growing companies, today announced the launch of Muse Productions, a dedicated content creation studio that helps companies activate their employer brands and build their teams. From expertly crafted articles to dynamic videos, Muse Productions offers solutions that seamlessly integrate with a client’s employer brand to attract, recruit, and retain top talent. https://hrtechfeed.com/the-muse-launches-a-dedicated-content-creation-studio-for-employer-branding/  Vangst, the cannabis industry’s leading hiring platform, today announced its acquisition of GreenForce, a cannabis temporary staffing agency operating in Oregon & Arizona. GreenForce Founder & CEO Ryan Rosenfeld will join Vangst as the Chief Business Officer, focused on further regional and national expansion, effective immediately. The acquisition marks Vangst’s second acquisition of 2024. https://hrtechfeed.com/vangst-acquires-greenforce/ Workday just published its semi-annual Global Workforce Report, which found that it’s an employers’ market, with the number of job applications growing four times faster than job openings. Despite these odds, top performing employees are quitting their jobs to look for better opportunities elsewhere. At the same time, organizations are turning to AI to transform how they find and keep their best people. https://recruitingheadlines.com/job-market-tightens-as-ai-reshapes-hiring-processes/ File this under new recruiting ideas. Staffing firm Manpower says they will be using Walmart Stores to recruit! Manpower will offer one-stop convenience to local job seekers. The new Manpower job hubs are designed with “efficiency and accessibility in mind and are welcoming to active job seekers or casual shoppers who may want to explore employment options in their area.” https://recruitingheadlines.com/manpower-to-open-job-hubs-inside-walmart-stores/  

Startup TalentWell has announced the launch of its next-generation talent sourcing platform, featuring the latest in generative AI technology. TalentWell enables hiring managers and recruiters to discover top talent and then connect in a way that truly resonates. Unlike other solutions that rely on generic, forgettable messaging, TalentWell generates personalized emails and videos that get candidates’ attention and boost response rates, helping companies build their dream teams faster than ever. https://hrtechfeed.com/talentwell-launches-ai-generated-recruiter-outreach-videos/ Job board solution provider Smart Job Board, one of my top recommendations, has launched new AI matching features into its platform. https://hrtechfeed.com/job-board-software-provider-adds-ai-functionality-for-publishers/ Following a successful beta program, ZipRecruiter®, a leading online employment marketplace, today fully launched ZipIntro, a new solution that accelerates face-to-face connections for a faster and more personal hiring experience. https://hrtechfeed.com/ziprecruiter-launches-video-interviewing-functionality/ Paylocity (NASDAQ: PCTY), the  payroll software solutions platform , announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Airbase Inc., a modern finance and spend management software solution that combines bill pay / accounts payable automation, expense management, corporate cards and procurement capabilities. The acquisition of Airbase represents an expansion of Paylocity’s suite and will deliver incremental integrated value to HR and finance leaders in managing all of their spend on a single platform – expanding the Paylocity total addressable market beyond HCM and further into the Office of the CFO. https://hrtechfeed.com/paylocity-announces-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-airbase-inc-a-leading-spend-management-software-solution-provider/ Oyster®, the global employment solution to employ, pay, and care for distributed teams, raised $59M in Series D funding, led by Silver Lake Waterman, with participation from existing investors,.... The investment will enable Oyster to accelerate its platform roadmap, scale its impact, improve its customers’ compliance posture, and enhance its customers’ ability to attract and retain top talent. Over 40% of Team Members employed on the Oyster platform are in emerging markets and Oyster remitted hundreds of millions to emerging markets in 2023. This fundraise values the company at $1.2B and brings its total funding to $286M. https://hrtechfeed.com/oyster-raises-59m-series-d/  

INDIANAPOLIS—-DirectEmployers Association, the leading provider of OFCCP compliance solutions, today announced the acquisition of EqualityMagazines.com and its network of diversity-focused job boards, including BlackPerspective.com, Hispanic-Today.com, VeteransEnterprise.com, and WIB-I.com. https://hrtechfeed.com/directemployers-acquires-multiple-diversity-job-boards/ SAN FRANCISCO — SmartRecruiters, a leader in enterprise talent acquisition software, today announced the appointment of Rebecca Carr, an established product leader and HR technology executive, as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Rebecca also joins the company’s Board of Directors. https://hrtechfeed.com/smartrecruiters-has-a-new-ceo/ Tilt, a platform for leave management solutions, has announced the successful completion of its $15 million Series B funding round. This round was led by Bramalea Partners, with additional participation from HearstLab and continued support from Firework Ventures, Origin Ventures, and Techstars. https://hrtechfeed.com/tilt-secures-series-b-funding-to-expand-hr-technology-footprint/ Lattice, the leading people management software company, today announced that its highly anticipated Human Resources Information System (HRIS) will officially launch on October 8th. The full functionality of Lattice HRIS will be showcased at Lattice’s annual conference, Lattiverse. https://hrtechfeed.com/lattice-to-release-hris-october-8th/ CHICAGO– Professional Diversity Network, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPDN) a leader in developing and operating online and in-person networks that offer access to networking, training, educational, and employment opportunities for diverse individuals, is pleased to announce the rebranding of its job board operations to TalentAlly. TalentAlly LLC will now operate as a standalone subsidiary of Professional Diversity Network, Inc. https://hrtechfeed.com/professional-diversity-network-rebrands-job-board-operation-as-talentally/  

Are you looking to make a difference while supporting our veterans? Watch our engaging roundtable discussion as we dive into the essential strategies for creating a top-tier veteran hiring program. Our esteemed speakers, Veterans Chris Miles from Sonepar and Steven Janke from Semper Forward, will share their invaluable insights garnered from years of experience in military relations and talent pipeline development. Roundtable Takeaways: Mission-Driven Solutions: Witness how military hiring programs provide better customer solutions through veterans’ problem-solving skills. Best Practices in Talent Acquisition: Learn how to attract, engage, and retain talented veterans and military spouses. Creating Inclusive Work Environments: Gain insights on fostering supportive and inclusive workplaces for military-affiliated employees. Supporting Military Transition: Learn strategies for facilitating smooth transitions for active-duty military personnel, spouses, and veterans while bridging the gap between them and career opportunities. Chris and Steven have both built top programs that are more than lip service. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and network with industry leaders committed to shaping a more inclusive workforce for our veterans. Secure your spot at this insightful roundtable discussion!

Sense, a market leader in AI-driven talent engagement solutions for enterprise recruiting, announced the launch of its new Career Sites solution. This innovative product empowers companies to seamlessly build and launch a career site with brand consistency, an intuitive design, and robust recruiting features. https://hrtechfeed.com/sense-launches-career-site-solution/ Job search engine DirectlyApply, has announced the release of a new search experience that matches job seekers with opportunities based on the unique details of their resumes. https://hrtechfeed.com/directlyapply-redefines-job-search-with-resume-powered-matching-technology/ Fama Technologies, the social media screening platform announced their newest feature: Instagram Reels as a Source! With this release, Fama is taking a large step forward in helping its clients identify signals of workplace misconduct that may only appear in video format.  https://hrtechfeed.com/fama-announces-new-instagram-reels-as-a-source-feature/ The HR Technology Conference & Exposition® today announced the participants of its 2024 Pitchfest.  This year will see 31 companies compete against one another in three preliminary rounds. Each participant will have three minutes to present their concept, followed by two minutes to answer questions from the judges. Scores will be determined through a combination of audience voting (30 percent) and the judging panel (70 percent). The total score earned in the preliminary rounds will determine which six companies will advance to the Pitchfest final. https://hrtechfeed.com/hr-technology-conference-exposition-announces-2024-pitchfest-participants/  Phenom is hosting its annual AI Day 2024 on Spet 12th, which focuses on how Generative AI and AI agents empower organizations to hire faster, develop better and retain longer through augmented work — while ensuring responsible AI adoption and utilization. To register go to ai.phenom.com  

Fiverr is enhancing its freelancer for hire features introducing professions as well as hourly rates for users on the platform. I am joined by head of HR Orin Burg and Laura Podesta form their PR team to hear more. “Major shifts in the workplace, including heightened focus around skills and upskilling, diverse new roles from seasoned fractional executives to first-time side hustlers, and the introduction of new technologies, demands new solutions,” said Micha Kaufman, founder and CEO of Fiverr. “Today’s new releases are providing an expanded breadth of options for businesses of all sizes to recruit skilled talent and integrate freelancers into their workforce. By elevating how freelancers are featured to include their full set of skills and providing flexible options for working hourly, hiring managers and businesses can better recruit the talent they need.”

Raleigh, NC – CloudPay, a leading independent provider of global payroll and payment solutions, today announces the closing of a $120 million funding round led by Blue Owl Capital with the participation of existing shareholders Rho Capital Partners, The Olayan Group and Hollyport Capital. The funding further strengthens CloudPay’s capital base and provides flexibility for future growth opportunities. https://hrtechfeed.com/payroll-provider-secures-120-million-in-funding/ Tezi, an AI-powered recruiting startup based in Menlo Park, California, has secured $9 million in seed funding led by 8VC and Audacious Ventures. The company plans to utilize the investment to accelerate product development and expand operations ahead of its anticipated launch in Fall 2024. https://hrtechfeed.com/new-virtual-recruiter-platform-raises-9m/ CHICAGO — When, the AI-powered offboarding solution designed to help employees navigate post-employment transitions and maintain access to healthcare by offering more affordable alternatives to COBRA, today announced it has closed its latest Seed funding round of $4.6 million led by B Capital  https://hrtechfeed.com/employee-offboarding-tool-gets-4-6m/ ZipRecruiter® (NYSE: ZIP) announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. Quarterly revenue of $123.7 million Quarterly net income of $7.0 million, or net income margin of 6% https://hrtechfeed.com/ziprecruiter-earns-124m-in-q2/  ZipRecruiter®, also announced that it has acquired Breakroom, a UK-based employer review platform focused on frontline industries such as retail and hospitality. In line with its mission to actively connect job seekers with their next great opportunity, ZipRecruiter plans to launch Breakroom in the United States to empower workers with the job insights they need to apply with confidence. https://hrtechfeed.com/ziprecruiter-acquires-employer-review-platform/