Emily Harburg, ‘11, founder of PairUp, started with a simple yet powerful idea: Connect employees to boost productivity. When she applied to the Accelerator, her focus was on leveraging mentorship for maximizing efficiency. It was her commitment to improving the workplace that caught our eye.

From the moment we met Emily, her passion, adaptability, and resilience were clear - qualities that were put to the test when PairUp struggled to gain traction in the market. While companies showed interest, they wanted something more. Instead of viewing this as a setback, Emily saw it as an opportunity to rethink and take a deeper approach:  Add AI to the mix to improve knowledge access and connection within organizations.

Emily evolved PairUp with a Google-like tool that maps company data, connecting employees to the right colleagues and information. It archives searches, enabling employees to track their information pathways. The result is a more efficient, connected workplace where knowledge flows seamlessly.

Our focus on building problem-solving frameworks helped Emily navigate this shift. Leaning on the program’s support, insights, and mentors, she successfully created a solution for a broader market.

Today, PairUp partners with companies with up to 50,000 employees to enhance efficiency and streamline operations. With $2.8M raised, Emily credits the Accelerator program and community for guiding PairUp’s growth and evolution.

We saw Emily’s leadership and determination from the start proving, once again, that we know how to spot talent ready to change the game.

Key Successes

• Over 25 corporate clients with up to 50,000 employees

• Raised to date $2.8M

• Awarded “40 Under 40” by Boston Business Journal

• Profiled in Geek Wire, Forbes and more