Five to Nine

High-Level Overview

Five to Nine is a Black women-owned SaaS company that provides an easy-to-use platform for managing and evaluating corporate events, both virtual and in-person.[1][3][5] It targets employee experience leaders handling ERG events, manager training, recruiting, and other internal programs, automating busywork, integrating workflows, and delivering analytics on event impact to boost employee engagement and belonging.[1][2][3][6] With 14 employees headquartered in Chicago, the company raised $4.25 million in seed funding in 2022 to expand engineering, product development, and team growth, showing steady momentum in the HR tech space.[1][2][4]

Origin Story

Founded in 2018 (launched 2019) by co-founders Jasmine Shells (CEO) and Denise (COO), both former people leaders who faced event management pains like scattered spreadsheets and siloed surveys.[1][3][5] Frustrated by tools that hindered understanding program effects on retention and productivity, they built Five to Nine to centralize programming for inclusive workplaces where employees bring their full selves beyond the 9-5—hence the name "Five to Nine."[3] Early traction included selection for Morgan Stanley's Multicultural Innovation Lab in 2022, validating their focus on DEI-driven tech as a woman- and minority-owned startup.[2]

Core Differentiators

• All-in-One Automation: Streamlines event creation, collaboration, registrations, budget tracking, and communications in one platform, eliminating multi-tool chaos for program leaders.[1][3][6]
• Actionable Insights: Collects feedback and analytics to measure real impact on employee engagement, retention, and productivity—key for DEI and belonging initiatives.[1][2][3][6]
• Seamless Integrations and UX: Works with existing systems for one-click setup, real-time data, and global team support; users call it "Advil for program leaders" for speed and ease.[3][6]
• DEI-Centric Focus: Black women-owned with a mission for inclusive programming; strong customer testimonials highlight efficiency for ERGs, socials, and all-hands across offices.[3][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Five to Nine rides the wave of hybrid work and DEI priorities, where companies invest in tools to foster belonging amid remote/onsite shifts and talent retention challenges.[3][6] Timing aligns with post-pandemic demand for scalable internal events—virtual ERGs and trainings surged, but fragmented tools lagged, creating an opening for integrated HR tech like theirs.[1][2] Market forces like rising employee expectations for authentic experiences and analytics-driven people ops favor it, especially as competitors like Airmeet focus more on external events.[2] It influences the ecosystem by empowering underrepresented founders in HR SaaS, advancing workplace inclusivity one event at a time.[2][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Five to Nine is poised to scale as HR tech consolidates around employee experience platforms, with seed funding fueling AI-enhanced analytics and global expansions.[2][4] Trends like AI-driven personalization and DEI mandates will shape its path, potentially integrating with broader EX suites for enterprise wins. Its influence may grow by setting benchmarks for minority-led innovation in event tech, turning event busywork into belonging drivers—proving people are indeed more than their 9-5.[3]