What Linkage does

Linkage, operating as SHRM Linkage, is a professional services firm specializing in talent optimization and leadership development solutions for enterprise and mid-market organizations. Founded in 1988 by Artemis Miropoulos and Dimitris Papanikitopoulos, the company was acquired by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and relaunched under the SHRM Linkage brand in 2025. The company delivers four signature solutions organized by career stage: the SHRM Linkage Institute (three-day immersive program for early to mid-career leaders), Purposeful Leadership (for leaders at all levels), Advancing Women Leaders (for mid-level to senior women), and Generate (for senior and executive leaders).

The underlying technology is a research-backed talent optimization framework informed by more than 1 million data points collected from 100,000 leadership assessments over 30 years. Solutions are delivered through immersive learning experiences, signature assessments, and coaching engagements designed to build leadership pipelines, improve retention and engagement, and advance workplace inclusion. The framework does not rely on AI/ML capabilities; it is positioned as a research- and practitioner-driven methodology.

SHRM Linkage operates a consultative direct sales model, with prospects engaging via 'Request a Consultation' on the SHRM Linkage website. Programs are customizable and priced as professional services engagements rather than packaged software products. The company leverages SHRM's brand, content channels, newsletters, and global conferences for distribution, and it markets in Global, India, and MENA editions. Named enterprise customers include Parexel, Dentsply Sirona, The Standard, KraftHeinz, Lowe's, Lenovo, and FujiFilm, spanning pharmaceutical, medical devices, insurance, consumer goods, retail, technology, and healthcare/life sciences verticals. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, and the firm has 101-250 employees headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, USA.

Name

Linkage

Legal name

SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)

Website

https://linkageinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Linkage (SHRM Linkage) is a leadership development and talent optimization professional services firm serving enterprise and mid-market organizations through four signature programs spanning career stages, backed by SHRM and a 30-year leadership assessment dataset.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Burlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Talent and Leadership Development Solutions: SHRM Linkage generates revenue through professional services fees for consultative talent optimization and leadership development programs, including signature solutions such as SHRM Linkage Institute, Purposeful Leadership, Advancing Women Leaders, and Generate programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Linkage, operating as SHRM Linkage, is a leadership and talent development company that designs and delivers customized organizational learning programs for enterprises. Its core offerings include leadership development programs, women's leadership advancement initiatives, leadership academies, and inclusive leadership training, with content and assessments grounded in more than 30 years of proprietary research and benchmark data.

Product overview

SHRM Linkage is a talent and leadership development platform offering a portfolio of four signature solutions: SHRM Linkage Institute (three-day immersive for early-to-mid career leaders), Purposeful Leadership (for leaders at all levels), Advancing Women Leaders (for mid-level to senior women), and Generate (for senior/executive leaders). The platform is backed by SHRM and informed by more than 1 million data points from 100,000 leadership assessments collected over 30 years, delivering research-backed solutions via a talent optimization framework.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SHRM Linkage Leadership Institute: A three-day immersive experience for early to mid-career leaders to build leadership competencies.
• Purposeful Leadership
• Advancing Women Leaders
• Generate

Products and services

• SHRM Linkage Institute

Quantifiable outcome

• 2x revenue growth through stronger leadership pipelines
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)coreOthersSHRM acquired and rebranded Linkage as SHRM Linkage, integrating leadership development solutions into SHRM's portfolio of HR solutions. Linkage now operates under the SHRM brand, benefiting from SHRM's extensive network, resources, and market credibility to deliver talent optimization solutions to organizations globally.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BTS: Strategy execution and leadership development firm offering simulations, assessments, and consulting for enterprise clients. Comparable in business-outcome-tied leadership development, simulation/immersive experiences, and global enterprise delivery.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): One of the largest and most established leadership development research and training organizations globally. Directly comparable to SHRM Linkage in target buyer (enterprise HR/L&D), assessment-driven approach, immersive programs, and research-backed methodology.
• The Ken Blanchard Companies: Leadership development and management training company offering assessments, workshops, and coaching for leaders at all levels. Comparable to SHRM Linkage in horizontal leadership development positioning, signature methodology, and enterprise sales motion.
• FranklinCovey: Provider of leadership, execution, and organizational performance training, including flagship programs for individual contributors through executives. Closely comparable in target audience, content-driven leadership curriculum, and global enterprise delivery.
• Wilson Learning Worldwide: Provider of leadership, sales, and people development solutions with proprietary assessment tools and global delivery. Comparable in assessment-led, customizable enterprise programs targeting HR/L&D buyers.
• Dale Carnegie & Associates: Long-established provider of leadership, sales, and professional development training delivered globally through certified trainers. Comparable in program-based leadership training, global delivery network, and enterprise/corporate buyer focus.
• DDI (Development Dimensions International): Global leadership and talent assessment provider serving enterprise clients with assessment tools, leadership development programs, and selection solutions. Highly comparable to SHRM Linkage in assessment-led methodology and enterprise HR buyer.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry: Global organizational consulting firm with a substantial leadership development, assessment, and executive coaching practice within a much broader talent and executive search portfolio. Comparable in enterprise leadership development, but operates as a broad incumbent across the talent stack.
• Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning: Corporate learning division of Harvard Business Publishing delivering leadership development content, programs, and digital learning to enterprise clients. Comparable in target buyer and leadership development content, but at much larger scale and broader content footprint.

Others

• Heidrick & Struggles: Global executive search and leadership advisory firm. Adjacent rather than direct — competes with SHRM Linkage for senior leadership development wallet via leadership advisory and onboarding, but primary business is executive search, not training programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/linkageinc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/shrmofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/SHRMHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shrm
• Instagraminstagram.com/shrmofficial

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Linkage