The UNLEASH Startup Award is returning to Paris during UNLEASH World, 20-22 October 2025.

Workplace technology is progressing exponentially, and the market continues to evolve as the economy, workplace, and technology grow rapidly.

The UNLEASH Startup Award is at the forefront of this technological revolution, showcasing the game-changing organizations and technologies shaping the future of work.

We’re giving the best and brightest HR Tech startups the chance to pitch their next-gen technologies.

The Startup Award takes place right on the show floor to deliver as much exposure as possible to our selected finalists.

In Las Vegas earlier this year, US-based HireBrain wowed the judges with its pitch delivered by Founder and CEO David Nason, and walked away with the prize during UNLEASH America 2025

Speaking to UNLEASH in the aftermath of the victory, Nason said: “There was no expectation on my part that we would be the winner, but for the judges and several esteemed folks and companies in our prospects to share with us that our focus area and what we’ve provided has a truly unique value in the marketplace – that’s hugely validating.”

What you need to know to enter:

Entrance requirements for the UNLEASH Startup Award:

• Must be a paid UNLEASH World exhibitor
• No more than Series A funding
• No more than five years old (pre-2020)
• No more than 50 employees
• Fill out a questionnaire and share a 2-minute video submission (To be provided by your Customer Success Manager)
• For companies with more than 50 employees and/or founded more than five years ago, please contact the UNLEASH team to discuss your entry.

You can also check out UNLEASH’s top tips for entering!

Timeline:

16 July – Our expert judging panel will be revealed.

12 September – Applications close at 11:49 PST.  Put the date in your diary to make sure you don’t miss out!

8 October – The five finalists for 2025 will be unveiled!

21 October – The on-site finale at UNLEASH World where the five finalists will each give a four-minute pitch, and then face a four-minute Q & A with our industry judges.

The Grand Prize:

Entering the UNLEASH Startup Award offers the best and brightest of the HR tech landscape unrivalled access to the top HR analysts, thought leaders and investors.

Past judges include Kathi Enderes, Chris Hoyt, Mike Bollinger, Sadie Bell, Benjamin Visser, and Katarina Berg.

But the lucky winner will scoop a €50,000 sponsorship package for a future UNLEASH event – but please note, this figure does not include the price of the stand build and design.

The best of luck to all entrants and we look forward to seeing you at UNLEASH World, 20-22 October, in Paris.

Want more information?

UNLEASH will be sharing more information on the judging phase, FAQs and top tips from the judges soon!

But for more information on our Startup packages, which provide marketing opportunities to showcase your achievements, please contact:

Kennedy Cook, Head of Startup – at Kennedy@unleash.ai

Aniko Illes, Startup Ecosystem Sales Lead – at Aniko@unleash.ai or on 00 36 20 255 87 41