Company: GenSpark
Company Description: GenSpark is an emerging provider of workforce transformation services. Founded in 2019 by parent company Pyramid Consulting, GenSpark works with 25 Fortune 500 employers to understand their talent needs. We then source diverse candidates, provide full-time and job-specific tech training, and deploy trainees to their future careers. In just 3 years, our business has grown to a 7-figure success!
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Business & Professional Services - Medium
 Nomination Title: GenSpark
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2021, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- 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.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 200 words used.
“After graduating from college, I struggled to find a job because I lacked job experience,” said Liz Blankinship. While her experience is unique to her, Liz’s words speak for the countless number of people who, without proper education and training, find it difficult to find such opportunities.
It is no secret that skilled technology talent is scarce and companies are struggling to deliver on their priorities. On top of that, companies are increasingly prioritizing their initiatives to maintain a diverse workforce. It is at the crossroads of these two problems that GenSpark steps in.
Founded in 2019, the GenSpark vision is to accelerate equity in the workplace and in society by lighting up pathways to career success for individuals from all backgrounds.
The GenSpark approach:
- First, understanding our clients’ workforce needs and diversity goals
- Then, sourcing diverse talent from underrepresented minority groups
- Next, training those selected candidates in 16 weeks of full-time, paid, job1specific training
- And finally, deploying trained candidates to work with our clients where GenSpark continues mentorship and upskilling
With this innovative business model, GenSpark helps candidates spark their career in technology while helping our clients to address critical skills gap and to grow their workplace diversity.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 239 words used.
Since 2021, GenSpark has created over 500 careers in technology for candidates. The average starting salary for candidates before starting with GenSpark was $20K (with many individuals not earning at all). After GenSpark, their salaries grew to an average of $60K per year with medical, dental, and vision benefits. We are in the business of creating careers, providing a pathway to financial stability, and recasting the technology workforce with a hope of creating generational wealth for individuals of various backgrounds.
Along with the growth in careers came a growth in revenue for GenSpark. Since the end of 2020, GenSpark has grown revenue 15x. Factors that enabled GenSpark to see success in recent years include our responsiveness to our clients’ needs diversification our product offerings. In 2020, entry-level Java Full Stack roles comprised 90% of our business, but since then, we have added 20+ offerings spanning technologies and even skill-levels. Java Full Stack is still a staple product offering for GenSpark, but now represents less than 20% of new business.
With ~76% of candidates from underrepresented minorities, we are proud to help make the workplace a more inclusive environment by providing training and access to careers. In the last 2 years, GenSpark has partnered with dozens of Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and nonprofits to intentionally seek diverse talent. We have also launched 7 Employee Resource Groups to create an inclusive workplace and encourage a sense of belonging.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 145 words used.
In just a few short years, GenSpark has emerged as a leader within the industry. Our industry has one large incumbent and several small to mid-size organizations. What sets GenSpark apart is our ability to maintain flexibility and customer-centricity even as we scale. Many smaller talent providers can create custom offerings for their clients but cannot deliver at the volume that we do while the large provider remains inflexible. GenSpark takes every possible effort to give clients both flexibility and volume with our strong product development team. Thanks to this, GenSpark has witnessed one of the highest growth rates in the industry and is now a Top 5 player in the market.
In many vendor selection processes involving GenSpark and other providers, GenSpark is winning more share vs. other providers, both as we begin work with new clients and as we expand with existing clients.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 35 words used.
- Liz Blankinship testimonial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3q2Qsta0HM
- GenSpark Stevie Awards PDF contains an overview of what GenSpark does, our diversity metrics, our product offerings across skills & levels, our ERGs, and an executive summary
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