#154 - George LaRocque - 2026 Predictions, WorkTech Investments, & Follow the Money

Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, George LaRocque, Founder of WorkTech! In this wide-ranging and deeply analytical conversation, Cole sits down with George to unpack the evolution from “HR tech” to “work tech,” why that distinction matters, and how shifting investments are redefining who technology is really being built for. George explains how early HR systems were designed primarily for back-office users, but how modern work tech increasingly serves employees, candidates, and the broader enterprise, driven by advances in data, AI, and platform thinking. The discussion takes a forward-looking turn as Cole and George follow the money to understand what innovation will actually mature over the next several years. George shares detailed insights into venture funding trends, why innovation is never uniform, and how the post-2021 investment bubble reshaped the startup landscape. They explore why so many early-stage vendors now feel stuck, how lower barriers to entry created a flood of new solutions, and why owning durable, non-transient data has become the single most important strategic advantage in the age of AI. George also breaks down which domains are seeing real adoption versus hype, including high-volume recruiting, HR service delivery, payroll and compensation, benefits, learning, performance management, and the emerging influence of the office of the CFO on workforce strategy. A central theme of the episode is adoption and ROI. George explains why AI succeeds where transaction volume is high, pain is obvious, and value can be clearly measured, and why many organizations are still far earlier in AI maturity than headlines suggest. The conversation also dives into people analytics, strategic workforce planning, and talent intelligence, with a candid assessment of why these areas require massive, long-term data investments and why platforms and true data owners are positioned to win. Along the way, George shares perspectives from his work running the HR Tech Pitchfest, investing in early-stage companies, hosting the WorkTech Podcast, and advising founders, buyers, and investors across the ecosystem. The episode wraps with a rapid-fire Cole’s Corner segment touching on AI use cases no one is talking about, the future of workforce management, dashboards versus data storytelling, and the human implications of agentic workflows and automation. This is a must-listen episode for anyone who wants a clear-eyed, data-driven view of where work tech is actually headed, what will matter in 2026 and beyond, and how leaders can cut through the noise to focus on what truly drives impact. If you like this episode, you’d also love exploring prior episodes—visit colenapper.com for the full archive and show links.