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Espresa, Palo Alto, California, United States: Espresa's Technology Department

Company: Espresa, Palo Alto, CA
Company Description: Powering Great Workplaces® with Personal Benefits Employees Love Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSA), Total Well-Being, Recognition, and Community. Espresa scales to meet all of life’s moments, plus.
Nomination Category: Technology Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Technology Department of the Year
2024 Stevie Winner Nomination Title: Espresa's Technology Department
  1. Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the nominated technology organization's achievements since the beginning of 2023, OR an essay of up to 650 words? (Choose one):
    An essay of up to 650 words
  2. If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video:

     

  3. If you are providing an essay of up to 650 words, place it in the following space:

    Total 424 words used.

    In today’s workforce, benefits aren’t just perks—they’re essential to attracting and retaining talent. Yet, many organizations struggle with fragmented, inequitable benefits programs that don’t scale globally. Espresa is transforming this landscape with a single, centralized HR technology platform that consolidates Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs), rewards and recognition, challenges, communities, and more—making benefits more accessible, personalized, and equitable for employees worldwide.

    Innovating for a Seamless, Inclusive Benefits Experience
    Since January 2024, Espresa has accelerated its impact with groundbreaking innovations designed to simplify benefits administration and maximize employee engagement.

    Revolutionizing Recognition with a Global Marketplace
    Espresa’s Rewards and Recognition Marketplace has redefined how employees feel valued. Organizations can set budgets, and employees—from interns to executives—can recognize peers with monetary or non-monetary points, fostering a culture of appreciation. Those points are redeemable in the world’s largest global recognition marketplace, tailored to employees' location, language, and currency.

    Unlike traditional platforms that apply markups, Espresa ensures 100% of recognition funds go to employees, covering administrative and transaction costs. With full Amazon Prime integration, employees access exclusive monthly deals (5-30% off major brands like Uber) and Prime shipping, creating a seamless and rewarding experience.

    LSA Debit Card: Instant Access to Benefits
    Espresa took another bold step in 2024 with the launch of its LSA Debit Card, eliminating the need for employees to pay out-of-pocket and wait for reimbursements. Using Merchant Category Codes (MCC) and Merchant ID Codes (MID), organizations can set pre-approved vendors—allowing instant approvals for eligible purchases.

    This innovation enhances efficiency and compliance while reducing administrative burdens. Employees can opt for virtual or physical cards, all linked to the same account, with self-service distribution to minimize waste and unnecessary plastic production.

    Impact at Scale: Driving Unprecedented Engagement
    Espresa’s innovations are making waves globally:

    • [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]

    • ​Record-high engagement across the platform

    Despite this incredible volume, Espresa has upheld industry-leading support and adjudication accuracy:

    • 73% of support tickets resolved on first contact, thanks to direct access to adjudicators

    • 78% of remaining tickets resolved within 1-3 days, despite the complexity of global claims

    The Future of HR Tech: A Perfect Intersection of Humanity & Technology
    Espresa’s mission is clear: to make benefits simpler, more accessible, and more equitable for everyone. By integrating cutting-edge technology with a deep understanding of human needs, Espresa has redefined what’s possible in HR tech. With seamless global capabilities, unmatched ease of use, and a relentless focus on employee experience, Espresa isn’t just keeping up with the future of work—it’s leading the way.

     

  4. In bullet-list form, provide a brief summary (up to 150 words) of up to ten (10) of the chief accomplishments of the nominated technology organization since the beginning of 2023:

     

    Total 140 words used.

    • Revolutionized Employee Recognition – Espresa’s no-markup Rewards & Recognition Marketplace ensures employees receive 100% of their points, redeemable across diverse local and global vendors, in all languages and currencies.

    • Launched the LSA Debit Card – Eliminated out-of-pocket costs for employees, enabling instant, compliant transactions through virtual and physical wallets while reducing administrative burden.

    • Achieved Record-High Support Scores – Delivered 95% Member Satisfaction (MSAT) and 98% Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), with 73% of tickets resolved on first contact.

    • [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]

    • Recognized as a Top Vendor – Named Best LSA & Employee Recognition Provider by Shortlister.

    • Industry Leadership Recognition – Awarded BenefitsPro Luminary Award for innovation in HR technology.

    • Published 2024 Benchmark & Trends Report – Delivered key insights on global benefits strategies, shaping industry best practices.

     

Attachments/Videos/Links:
Espresa's Technology Department
URL [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]