AngelCentral Deep Dive Series Webinar: Understanding and Investing in HR Tech Startups

Human Resource Technology or HRTech refers to all software and hardware technology-enabled products or services used to automate HR functions. In an increasingly digitised world and a remote work environment, HRTech is becoming more prevalent than ever. According to Worktech, in 2020 $4.9 Billion was invested into HRTech companies globally, the second-highest amount of capital invested into HRTech in the last decade.

In addition, a survey by PwC with 600 HR and HR leaders found that 74% of global companies are looking to increase their HR Tech spending. With all-time high VC funding and increasing adoption of HRTech, how can investors navigate the vast HRTech space?

The above questions were answered for our angels during the workshop when Syed Ali Abbas, Chief Strategy Officer at Epitome, shared about many exclusive case studies and his own experiences. He helped our angels understand the HRTech space in greater breadth and depth, the growth process of a typical HRTech-focused company, the kind of help a HRTech-focused startup requires and what key metrics our angels should pay attention to before investing. The workshop concluded with a panel discussion led by experienced practitioners who gave our angels deeper insight into this space.

Panelists included:

• Syed Ali Abbas, Chief Strategy Officer, Epitome
• Dorothy Yiu, COO & Co-Founder, EngageRocket
• James Chia, CEO & Co-Founder, ArcLab
• Siddharth Kumar, CEO & Co-Founder, MyRobin.ID

About Syed Ali Abbas, Chief Strategy Officer, Epitome

Syed Ali Abbas is a seasoned HR leader with experience in fast-growing startups – from unicorns like Global Fashion Group (GFG), a global portfolio of fashion e-commerce startups operating in various regions of the world, including ZALORA in Asia, to major e-commerce brands such as Alibaba's Lazada.

He is currently the Chief Strategy Officer of Epitome Global, a talent technology, services, and analytics company headquartered in Singapore. In this role, he is responsible for company strategy, people, partnerships, and corporate matters. Before joining full-time in 2019, Abbas served on the Advisory Board of Epitome Global since it was founded in 2016.

In addition to his day job, Abbas is an active mentor and angel investor in the Singapore startup scene. He is also a sought-after consultant advising large corporates on transformation, HR strategy, and HR technology, and early-stage companies on strategy, governance, and people. He gives back to the community by volunteering as a Member of the Executive Council of the Singapore Human Resources Institute, a Member of the Board Nominations Committee of AWWA Limited, and a Mentor at the Workplace Accelerator.

About Dorothy Yiu, COO & Co-Founder, EngageRocket

Dorothy is the Co-founder and COO at EngageRocket, a cloud-based software that empowers organisations to improve employee experience with a strategy and action platform powered by relevant & timely people data.

Founded in 2016, EngageRocket strives to change 100 million lives by improving the human experience at work and enabling organizations to succeed through their biggest asset - people.

EngageRocket is the first venture-backed HR Tech startup in Southeast Asia and was named 'Singapore's 20 hottest startups' by Singapore Business Review in 2018. Previously, she served as the Head of Operations for Gallup (South East Asia) overseeing the execution of large-scale consulting projects. Dorothy obtained double degrees BBM & BAcc from the Singapore Management University under the Lee Kong Chian Scholarship.

About James Chia, CEO & Co-Founder, ArcLab

James is CEO & Co-Founder of ArcLab, a Mobile Learning SaaS platform that empowers organisations to upskill workforces effectively.

Organisations use ArcLab to create & deliver bite-sized, just-in-time training and digital performance support to teams - improving job performances and livelihoods in the face of digital disruption.

James is a thought leader in training and education. He has been a speaker at The Economist Tech for Change Week, CNA Talking Point, and has written for The Straits Times, TODAY, and several Tech, HR, and L&D publications.

James started his career at the Monetary Authority of Singapore, serving in London and Singapore as Portfolio Manager & Deputy Director. He is a graduate of Cornell University and the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs

James enjoys being present with family, reading, writing, running, macro-investing and technology. He volunteers as a community mentor to lower-income children with Edugrow for Brighter Tomorrows. James is a long-suffering Tottenham Hotspur fan since 1994, was present at Spurs’ last trophy win at Wembley, and has never stopped believing.

About Siddharth Kumar, CEO & Co-Founder, MyRobin.ID

Sid is the CEO & Co-founder of MyRobin.ID, a platform that provides Indonesian businesses with on-demand pre-screened workers. MyRobin.ID is a community of over 2.5 million workers, and are serving some of the biggest corporations in Indonesia providing them with warehouse workers, delivery riders, F&B staff, etc.

Sid has over 14 years of regional experience in SEA, Banking, managing regulatory, multi-jurisdiction client-focused initiatives, and stints with 2 Human Capital related startups. He also holds an MBA from INSEAD and chaired the Singapore Seeing is Believing Committee, Standard Chartered's global initiative to tackle avoidable blindness, with a goal of raising $100 mn by 2020.