CultivatePeople is launching an equity-minded, machine learning-based compensation product

CultivatePeople is releasing a new product called Kamsa, a compensation software that uses machine learning to establish equal pay for employees.

The three-year old company was founded by its CEO, Lola Han, as a compensation consulting and software company providing HR services to help companies retain their employees. CultivatePeople mainly targets startups and emerging tech companies looking to improve their compensation strategies and processes to help pay their employees competitively and fairly.

The word Kamsa means “appreciation” in Korean, Han told Technical.ly. The new product uses machine learning to provide real-time global market compensation data to companies that need to manage employee pay, close pay gaps and establish equal pay for equal work. Kamsa matches employees to the market, so employers can provide them with a comparison analysis to other professionals in similar roles.

“From planning and budgeting to processing pay increases, Kamsa guides clients through the complete compensation review process,” Han said. “This significantly reduces manual work and errors that commonly arise with using spreadsheets. Kamsa’s guided process, alongside our expert compensation consultants, provides clients with a unique and intuitive experience.”

Companies can also use Kamsa to be more transparent with employees by providing career paths and growth opportunities. Han said the new product can save HR departments time and money when conducting compensation reviews.

“Our experienced compensation consultants partner with our clients to reduce the administrative burden HR professionals face, so they can get back to being a strategic asset to the company,” said Han, who goes by @HRLola on Twitter.

CultivatePeople decided to launch Kamsa right now because “companies need effective tools to bring equality to the workplace,” Han said, especially as remote work persists amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With the recent growing desire for remote work and anticipated post-pandemic hiring, Kamsa helps leading companies evaluate employees’ compensation to align with their new landscape,” she said. “Kamsa helps companies maintain a competitive advantage by ensuring they have a comprehensive compensation strategy that draws top talent to their organization.”

Han is the previous head of compensation at Zendesk and said she has advised over 100 companies, including Fortune 1000 companies, on employee compensation. Han first got on Technical.ly’s radar last year when she advanced to the final Vinetta Project DC Venture Challenge to pitch her venture.

CultivatePeople’s is made up of six full-time employees and a six-person, contracted engineering team working in Europe. Though Han is located in Arlington, Virginia, she said the company has always operated 100% remotely. Since its inception, CultivatePeople has partnered with global companies such as Docker, HackerOne, InVision, MasterClass and Sisense to help attract and retain employees. Locally, the company has also worked with GetUpside, Research Innovations and Mapbox.

CultivatePeople founder Lola Han pitching at Vinetta Project’s first 2019 showcase. (Photo by Michelai Graham)