About IndustryLabs

We focus exclusively on AI-native tools: products founded after 2020 with machine learning and AI capabilities woven into their core architecture. This isn't about filtering for the “AI” keyword. It's about identifying companies that couldn't exist without these technologies, where AI fundamentally enables their value proposition rather than decorating it.

Our curation process combines systematic research with hands-on evaluation. We verify pricing structures, test integration claims, and validate compliance certifications. When vendor data is available, we label it clearly. When information is estimated from public sources, we say so. This transparency allows buyers to make confident decisions without second-guessing data quality.

The marketplace currently features 67 tools across Recruiting & ATS, Onboarding & Training, Performance Management, Employee Engagement, and HR Analytics. Rather than pursuing comprehensive coverage, we maintain a focused collection of 60–75 tools per vertical—enough variety to serve different needs, selective enough that every listing merits serious consideration.

Traditional B2B directories operate on pay-to-rank models where vendor spending determines visibility. We take a different approach. Our Request Board matches buyers with relevant vendors based on actual requirements: company size, existing technology stack, compliance needs, and budget constraints. Vendors receive qualified introductions with full context rather than anonymous clicks from generic lead forms.

For teams requiring deeper analysis, we're developing structured evaluation reports that compare tools across dimensions like implementation complexity, integration architecture, and total cost of ownership. These reports are designed for buyers who need more than directory listings but less than full consulting engagements.

Software selection for People Operations carries unusual weight. These tools touch employee data, integrate with core HR systems, and directly affect team experience. Choosing poorly wastes months in implementation cycles and creates technical debt that compounds over time. Choosing well accelerates hiring velocity, improves retention, and frees leadership to focus on strategy rather than administrative overhead.

The shift toward AI-native tools represents a genuine inflection point, not incremental improvement. Tools built on modern AI architectures can automate workflows that previously required manual intervention, extract insights from unstructured data, and adapt to company-specific patterns over time. But realizing these benefits requires selecting tools designed around these capabilities from the ground up.

IndustryLabs was founded by Nuo Chen in early 2025, emerging from direct experience evaluating AI tools for a growing People Operations function. After investing 40+ hours researching AI recruiting tools—navigating vague pricing pages, filtering aggressive sales outreach, and comparing incomplete vendor claims—the structural problem became clear: the market lacked trusted curation.

We're building the marketplace we needed as buyers. Our roadmap prioritizes verified data over vendor volume, context over clicks, and long-term relationships over transaction optimization. We're profitable, independent, and aligned with buyers rather than dependent on vendor advertising revenue.

Browse our curated collection of HR & Talent tools, or submit your requirements through our Request Board to receive personalized vendor matches.

Tool vendors building AI-native solutions for People Operations can reach us at contact@industrylabs.ai. We offer founding partner pricing at £49/month for the first three months to the first ten verified vendors.