CHICAGO — Ovida has been announced as the winner of the 2024 Better Workplaces Challenge Cup (BWCC) at SHRM’s Annual Conference & Expo (SHRM24) in Chicago.
The competition, hosted by SHRMLabs, aims to highlight innovative workplace technology solutions globally, awarding the winner a $50,000 U.S. cash prize.
Ovida, founded by Alex Haitoglou and Bryan Watson, focuses on using artificial intelligence to enhance communication skills. Their mission is to transform the leadership abilities of 100 million professionals by 2030. The company’s approach includes improving self-awareness, listening skills, question-asking, trust-building, and overall interpersonal connections.
The final competition saw three finalists, PeduL, Ovida, and eLockr, pitch their solutions in a live event at SHRM24 on June 25. The panel of judges, comprising SHRM’s Senior Director of Knowledge Center Operations Amber Clayton, Chief People Officer at LaRosa’s Inc. Steve Browne, and Managing Director at Owl Ventures Ian Chiu, selected Ovida as the winner.
“In an ever-changing business environment and rapidly shifting demands from workers, we are watching workplace technology accelerate like never before,” said Andy Biladeau, SHRM’s Chief Transformation Officer. “To help HR professionals get the most value from their technology decisions and elevate the capabilities of HR, the BWCC seeks to highlight the companies who are setting the pace and pulling us into the future.”
The BWCC is a global competition featuring a three-round hybrid pitch process. Startups present their solutions to HR experts, business leaders, and SHRM members, with a chance to win $50,000 and advance their business.
SHRM24, offered both virtually and in-person, covers a range of topics including HR technology, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), employment law, talent management, and workplace culture.
SHRM, with nearly 340,000 members in 180 countries, is a leading authority on workplace issues, touching the lives of over 362 million workers and their families worldwide.