As employers across the region craft post-pandemic plans around how, where and when their employees will work, there are several emerging companies looking to shape what that future looks like. The following are Wisconsin startups providing a range of services for workplaces, including comprehensive technology protection, accessible data science technology, business communication tools and more.
Castle One
Madison-based Castle One provides cybersecurity technologies, helping businesses protect passwords, email and electronic devices. Password protection services allow an organization to store all passwords in a secure vault that is accessible anywhere. To fight phishing, the most common cyberattack for small businesses, Castle One implements and oversees self-learning phishing detection and prevention technology. For example, impersonation banners are embedded on emails where a person’s name does not match the address you’ve previously used to communicate with them. Castle One also provisions devices with device-native security features enabled, while providing malware and ransomware protection. The company was founded last year in response to a cybercrime wave stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of the global pandemic, more people than ever were working from home and relying on technology, creating ripe conditions for cyberattacks.
DataChat
DataChat brings conversational intelligence to businesses. Conversational intelligence is a way for people to collaborate with machines. Humans bring their intuition, and the machine uncovers interesting patterns through data. “Thus, humans and machines play to their strengths and collaborate to discover hidden gems in data,” according to Madison-based DataChat. This offering allows people to carry out an array of data analytics functions, such as exploratory data analysis, predictive analytics, structured querying, free search querying, visualization and data wrangling, in a single platform. People can also take the “recipes” they create in DataChat and share them with others. DataChat was born from two questions: What if the idea that everyone should learn to code is unnecessary, and what if anyone could carry out data science functions without learning to code? The company aims to make analytics accessible and approachable to anyone.
FieldCast
Companies looking to develop or improve their own series of secure, private podcasts might want to check out Milwaukee-based FieldCast. It has created the first purpose-built professional audio communication ecosystem for business users. FieldCast was launched with the belief that private internal podcasts are a revolutionary tool in business communication. A subscription to FieldCast includes a secure, customized player app; the FieldCast studio, which allows users to script, record and edit podcasts from their desktop; reporting and analytics to track audience engagement; and secure remote recording. The premium service includes strategy and planning sessions, a proprietary podcast strategy workshop, and production services that include hosting, scripting and recording. The FieldCast team has more than 20 years of experience in developing marketing and communications platforms for corporations.
Speakfully
Many people may still be working from home, but that hasn’t eliminated all workplace-related mistreatment. Eau Claire-based Speakfully aims to mitigate those issues by providing a way for employees to anonymously address and report workplace concerns, such as harassment, bullying, cultural toxicity and bias. Speakfully puts the spotlight on corporate culture by providing real-time insights and analytics on trends taking place within organizations, with the goal of creating a safer and more transparent workforce. It also offers built-in support resources, such as guidance on navigating uncomfortable experiences in and out of the office. The company was founded by chief executive officer and co-founder Jana Morrin as a direct result of workplace mistreatment that she experienced.
Ideawake
Milwaukee-based Ideawake provides an innovation platform combined with programs, services and expertise that support organizations’ innovation programs, from idea collection to measured results. Its objective is to provide companies with tools to turn employees into innovators. It does this in a number of ways, including idea management, which captures and tracks the return on investment of concepts in a company’s innovation pipeline. It also helps employees to identify, prioritize and forecast ROI on waste and inefficiencies. Ideawake’s software is also designed to help companies streamline their next Shark Tank-style pitch competitions. It is used by businesses ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
