Tech startup launches with industry vet at the helm

CARMEL, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — A new tech company focusing on helping retailers get the most out of their workforce has launched in Carmel. Shiftlab, a Software-as-a-Service workforce optimization platform, has also selected Indy tech veteran Mitch Black as chief executive officer.

Shiftlab says it uses a machine-learning product to help retailers maximize performance and employee engagement, while optimizing labor costs. The company has already secured a partnership with iQmetrix, a retail management solutions provider in the wireless retail space, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Black most recently served as an advisor and chief operating officer of Indianapolis-based Viral Launch, which last year was named Scale-up Company of the Year at the TechPoint Mira Awards. He also spent five years as president of MOBI in Indy, which was acquired in late 2018.

“Mitch has extensive experience in the tech space and retail industry, ” Shiftlab co-founder Devin Shrake said in a news release. “It’s exciting to see his passion and experience around the challenges that we’re solving for. Out of the gate, Wireless Retail is our primary target market. But, we’re consistently engaged in discussions with other verticals to ensure product market fit. What we’ve confirmed is that Shiftlab’s product strategy and application transcends into many of those other verticals – specifically those that are focused on maximizing employee performance, service, operations and guest experience. Mitch’s experience will help us strategically engage and quickly bring value into these segments.”

Shiftlab says its partnership with iQmetrix is expected to fuel growth throughout this year. The company says it will bring immediate exposure of its platform to more than 21,000 retail locations.