Humu (software)

Humu is a software company that uses machine learning to send "nudges," small recommendations based in nudge theory, to employees at work.[1][2]

History

Humu was founded in May 2017 by former Google executives Laszlo Bock, Wayne Crosby, and Jessie Wisdom. Before founding Humu, Laszlo Bock served as Google's original Head of People Operations.[3] Humu exited stealth mode in October 2018 with $40 million in funding.[4]

Humu analyzes company data and employee feedback to identify changes likely to improve employees' happiness, performance, and retention.[5][2] The platform then delivers "nudges," short messages urging users to change their behavior.[6]

The company holds a trademark on "Nudge Engine," based on the behavioral economics concept of nudge theory from Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard Thaler and popularized in Thaler's 2008 book Nudge, co-authored with legal scholar Cass R. Sunstein. The book argues that small cues can help people make better choices.[1]

Notable customers include Fidelity Investments, Silicon Valley Bank, Lumen, Farfetch,[6] and American fast casual restaurant chain Sweetgreen.[3]

A 2019 trademark dispute between Humu and American video streaming service Hulu[7] was settled in federal court.[8]

On June 24, 2021, Humu announced Humu Business Edition, a personal coach for mid-sized businesses.[9]

Funding

In May 2019, Humu announced it had raised $40 million in series A and B funding led by Index Ventures and IVP.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Can the Occasional 'Nudge' Make You Better at Your Job?". Yale Insights. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  2. Winkler, Elizabeth (2020-01-31). "Laszlo Bock Thinks Machine Learning Can Make Work Better". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  3. Wakabayashi, Daisuke (2018-12-31). "Firm Led by Google Veterans Uses A.I. to 'Nudge' Workers Toward Happiness". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  4. Stolzoff, Simone. "After two years in stealth mode, the former head of HR at Google reveals his new startup". Quartz. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  5. "Analysis | Google's former head of HR wants to help people act more human at work". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  6. Shellenbarger, Sue (2019-04-15). "The Robots That Manage the Managers". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  7. "Humu v. Hulu: Trademark to-do leads to new lawsuit". The Mercury News. 2019-01-23. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  8. "Hulu Says Something Smells Fishy About HR Startup Humu's Name". The Recorder. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  9. "Humu Launches Business Edition, Making Effective Teamwork a Habit For Mid-Sized Businesses". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  10. "Laszlo Bock's new HR startup: machine learning, science and a 'little bit of love'". The Mercury News. 2018-05-01. Retrieved 2021-10-18.


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