SHRM Techathon 26

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About SHRM Techathon

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SHRM Techathon

SHRM Techathon is a team-based HR innovation competition that brings together HR, business, operations, and technology professionals to solve real organizational challenges. Focused on practical, AI-enabled, and business-ready solutions, the platform moves beyond theoretical ideas to create scalable outcomes that drive measurable business impact.

Blending design thinking, HR domain expertise, and technology, SHRM Techathon empowers cross-functional teams to experiment, collaborate, and build implementation-ready solutions aligned to today's most pressing people priorities from tackling talent and performance to culture and workforce transformation. It is where bold HR thinking translates into real workplace results and next generation of HR breakthroughs takes shape.

Why Participate?

Solve real HR problems

Solve real HR problems

that organizations are actively grappling with

Move beyond ideas

Move beyond ideas

to business-ready, tech-enabled solutions

Showcase innovation

Showcase innovation

to industry leaders, practitioners, and experts

Learn through design thinking

Learn through design thinking

collaboration, and rapid problem-solving

What makes it different?

01

Focus on practical implementation, not theoretical concepts

02

Strong emphasis on business impact and people outcomes

03

Cross-functional collaboration across HR, tech, analytics, and operations

04

Unbiased, structured evaluation supported by AI and expert jury review

Important Dates

16 Feb2026
Nominations Open
Nomination Deadline
15 Apr2026
20 Apr2026
Preliminary Round - Submission Deadline
Top 30 Shortlist Announcement
1 May2026
21-22 May2026
Live Grand Finale Round
Top 6 Winners - Announcement
22 May2026

Participation Eligibility Criteria

Open to professionals aged 45 years or below

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations may nominate multiple teams with each team comprising 2-3 members

Eligibility Criteria

Open to participants across industries and diverse professional backgrounds

Eligibility Criteria

Solution must be original and not previously developed, implemented or in active use

Participation Journey

Organization Nomination

  • Nominations open from 16 February 2026.
  • Organizations submit a real-world HR challenge by 15 April 2026.

Preliminary Round: Solve Your Own Challenge

  • Registered teams develop solutions for their own nominated organizational challenge under the AI in HR Challenge CoEs:
Talent Acquisition
Skilling & Development
Performance & Productivity
HR Leadership & Culture
Total Rewards
Talent Wellness
  • Solutions must be submitted using the SHRM standard solution submission template latest by 20 April 2026.
  • Submissions must demonstrate practical, technology-enabled, and business-ready outcomes (Evaluation Criteria detailed below).

Shortlisting

  • Jury evaluation of submitted solutions.
  • Top 30 teams advance to the Grand Finale round.
  • Shortlist announcement by 1 May 2026.

Grand Finale: Fight for Glory

  • Live, in-person Grand Finale by 21 May 2026.
  • The SHRM Jury unveils the final, high-stakes challenge.
  • Teams craft and deliver a bold, implementation-ready solution.
  • 7-minute executive pitch followed by a 3-minute Jury Q&A.

Winners' Announcement

  • Winners unveiled and felicitated at the SHRM Tech Conference.
  • Opportunity to present winning solutions to the larger HR Community.

Evaluation Criteria

Problem Framing

Problem Framing

Clear, specific HR problem with real and relevant pain points

Solution Architecture

Solution Architecture

Logical, human-led solution that directly addresses the problem

Innovation & Differentiation

Innovation & Differentiation

New, distinctive, or meaningfully better than existing solutions

Impact & Metrics

Impact & Metrics

Clear, measurable outcomes (business, people, or culture)

Feasibility & Scalability

Feasibility & Scalability

Realistic to implement and scale in an organization

Presentation & Storytelling

Presentation & Storytelling

Clarity, structure, and effectiveness of communication

Awards & Recognition

Top 6 Teams

Trophy, Certificate of Achievement, and opportunity to present at the SHRM Tech Conference

Top 30 Finalists

Special recognition at the SHRM Tech 26 for advancing to the Grand Finale stage

All Participating Teams

Attend the SHRM Tech Conference and receive a Champion's Certificate

Featured Spotlight

Recognition across SHRM platforms and event communications for outstanding solutions

Investment Structure

➤   Nomination closes on 15th April 2026.
➤   Each team must consist of 2-3 members.

*The fee includes SHRM Tech 26 conference passes as a one-time additional benefit.

* Fees Exclude taxes

Prefer to register offline? Download and submit the offline registration form
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Teams Nomination Fee per Team
Single Team 65,000
2-3 Teams 60,000
4-5 Teams 55,000
6+ Teams Best Value 50,000
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Partners 2026

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Convince Your Leadership

Need to make a business case to your organization? We've got you covered with talking points and a ready-to-use pitch.

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Convince Your Leadership

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Most hackathons stop at ideas. SHRM Techathon is structured as an innovation investment. It gives organizations a disciplined, outcome-focused framework to validate solutions, build internal capability, and accelerate workplace transformation in a measurable way.

1. Replace External Consulting Costs with Internal Innovation

Most hackathons generate ideas and end there. SHRM Techathon is designed to deliver outcomes that justify the investment. The fee covers a structured innovation program where your teams work on your organization's real HR challenges, build implementation-ready solutions, and gain exposure to the SHRM Tech ecosystem.

2. De-Risk Innovation Through a Structured, Time-Bound Sprint

Most innovation fails because organizations invest too much too early. Techathon functions as a low-risk validation lab, allowing teams to test ideas, build prototypes, and validate impact before leadership commits larger budgets.

3. Create Deployable Solutions, Not Learning Artifacts

Teams do not attend to learn concepts; they build solutions aligned to your organization's priorities using AI, design thinking, and business strategy. Outcomes can be piloted, scaled, or integrated into ongoing HR initiatives post-event.

4. Build Internal Capability in AI, Talent & Workplace Innovation

The investment develops internal capability in AI-led HR, innovation thinking, and cross-functional problem solving. This creates a multiplier effect, as teams carry these capabilities back into the organization.

5. Strengthen Employer Brand & Retain High Potential Talent

High-performing professionals seek environments where they can solve meaningful problems. Nomination signals investment in innovation, growth, and future skills - reducing attrition risk among high-potential HR and business talent.

Frequently Asked Questions

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General Overview

1. What is SHRM Techathon?

An industry-wide, team-based HR innovation competition focused on practical, technology-enabled, business-ready solutions to real workplace challenges.

2. Who should participate?

HR professionals, business leaders, technologists, analysts, and cross-functional teams interested in solving real HR problems using innovation and technology.

3. Can early-career professionals participate?

Yes, as per the mandated eligibility and team requirements.

4. Is this a hackathon or a business competition?

It is a structured HR innovation competition focused on real-world implementation and business impact rather than pure coding or theoretical ideas.

5. Do participants need technical expertise?

No. Solutions must be human-led and business-driven. Technology is an enabler, not a requirement for deep coding expertise.

6. Is participation limited to specific industries?

No. Professionals from all industries can participate.

7. Will SHRM provide mentorship or guidance?

While dedicated mentorship is not provided, structured templates, evaluation criteria, and competition guidance support teams in developing strong submissions.

Eligibility & Team Composition

8. What are the eligibility criteria?

Participants must be professionals aged 45 years or below at the time of nomination.

9. What is the team size requirement?

Each team must consist of 2-3 members.

10. Can organizations nominate multiple teams?

Yes, organizations may nominate multiple teams.

11. Can teams be cross-functional?

Yes. Teams may be led by HR, Technology, Business, Operations or cross-functional combinations.

12. Can independent professionals participate?

Participation is through team nominations submitted via an organization.

13. Can the same person be part of multiple teams?

No. Each participant may be part of only one team.

14. Is there a designated team lead?

Yes. Each team must nominate a Team Lead who will serve as the primary point of contact.

15. Can team members be changed after registration?

Changes may be restricted and are subject to SHRM's approval.

16. Do teams need to have a unique name?

Yes. Each team must register with a unique team name to ensure accurate identification, evaluation, and communication throughout the competition. Duplicate or similar names may be modified by SHRM for administrative clarity.

17. Are cross-functional or mixed-discipline teams allowed?

Yes. Teams may include members from different business functions as long as eligibility criteria are met.

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