So, I’ve written about this in the past, but LRP just announced last week that they will be bringing back The Pitchfest to the 2019 HR Technology Conference in Las Vegas, October 1 – 4. The Pitchfest was my single favorite event at any conference last year!

What’s the Pitchfest? 

“30 HR technology startups will have the opportunity to present their solution at this year’s conference. In the three preliminary rounds, ten companies will have three minutes to pitch the panel, with an additional two minutes to answer the judges’ follow up questions. Two companies from each round will advance to the Pitchfest final, where the top six will go head to head. Once selected, the overall winner will participate in the conference’s popular “Discovering the Next Great HR Technology Company” session, in addition to taking home a monetary prize from the Randstad Innovation Fund and exhibit space for the 2020 HR Technology Conference & Exposition®.

The preliminary rounds are scheduled for October 1 and 2 with the Pitchfest final on the morning of October 3. Any exhibiting HR Technology Conference & Exposition® startup can submit a Pitchfest application ahead of the June 29, 2019 deadline. Those selected will receive notice no later than August 9, 2019. The online application and additional details can be accessed here. There is no fee to apply.”

Last year I got to judge and Emcee this event. It was amazing to see these startups get on stage and pitch what they had. To hear it from the entrepreneurs themselves, but also see some ideas in HR and Recruiting that no one else on the planet was thinking about was super inspiring.

I would encourage anyone in the HR and TA tech space to click through and check it out. The coverage of the event is worth its weight in gold. The stage was constantly surrounded by a whos-who of HR Tech analyst, influencers, and investors. You cannot get better, more inexpensive, publicity on the planet than making the final cut of thirty and taking your shot at being the one!

The process alone of applying and being selected for the Pitchfest, for any entrepreneur and their team, is invaluable.

Again, I will be attending the HR Technology Conference this fall. I hope to see you there. Also, don’t forget the Women in HR Technology event that happens on the first day of the conference. It’s the largest event specifically designed for women in HR Tech on the planet, and content is tremendous. I’m on a panel for that event as well, getting to share my mother/son experience of working with my Mom at my company, HRU Technical Resources.