Turning Vision Into Reality

From a young age, Adam Robinson, co-founder and CEO of Hireology, was driven by a passion for entrepreneurship and problem-solving. While many are inspired by family or circumstance, Robinson’s entrepreneurial spirit seemed innate—a natural inclination to identify opportunities and create solutions.

Born in Houston, Robinson grew up moving frequently because of his father’s career in insurance, living in cities like Miami, Chicago, and Marietta, Georgia. Despite his father’s steady career, Robinson was drawn to a different path. “I always found my dad’s career extremely interesting, but I think I knew I wasn’t cut out for a traditional corporate career path,” the CEO shares. “I was naturally interested in problem-solving and finding ways to bring value by addressing someone else’s challenges.” Robinson saw entrepreneurship as the safer and more fulfilling choice. 

The Early Career That Sparked an Idea

After graduating from the University of Illinois in 1998, Robinson entered the workforce during the rise of the commercial internet. “It was the time of Web 1.0, and I was fascinated by the birth of the internet,” he says. Robinson joined Maxim Group (now TekSystems) as an account executive, helping large enterprises find technical staff to address two pressing needs of the time: building websites and solving Y2K concerns.

“I absolutely loved that work,” Robinson shares. “I loved talking with people, figuring out what they wanted to do, and helping businesses solve their problems. It was all about matching talent with opportunity.”

After two successful years at Maxim Group, Robinson was recruited by one of his clients, Click Commerce, to join as a project manager. Click Commerce was a pioneer in connecting multilocation enterprises—such as dealerships and distributors—with manufacturers through internet-based software, replacing outdated processes that relied on fax-based communications such as parts ordering or warranty claim filings. During his four years at Click Commerce, Robinson encountered a recurring challenge: high employee turnover at the dealership level. “Most of these dealerships had turnover rates north of 70 percent, which made it nearly impossible to implement software effectively,” Robinson explains. This experience planted the seed for what would later become his life’s work. Robinson says, “I realized there was a real opportunity to help these large multilocation enterprises address hiring challenges in a completely new way.”

The Birth of Hireology

In 2004, Robinson left Click Commerce to launch his first company, illuma Group, a recruitment process outsourcing business that catered to multilocation enterprises. After successfully running and selling illuma Group in 2009, Robinson began thinking about his next venture.

By 2010, he had a clear vision: to build a cloud-based, subscription hiring platform that would empower decentralized businesses to attract and retain talent. That vision became Hireology. “Hireology was born out of a decade of experience working in and around these markets, both in hiring and implementing technology,” Robinson explains.

Hireology’s first product was an interviewing platform designed to help businesses ask the right questions and evaluate candidates effectively. However, Robinson quickly identified a gap in the market: the lack of an applicant tracking system tailored to multilocation businesses. “I had a decision to make,” he recalls. “We could either build an applicant tracking system purpose-built for these businesses, or I’d need to start another company. I had confidence in my experience, so we built it.”

This decision proved pivotal. Hireology’s cloud-based applicant tracking system became a game-changer, enabling businesses to streamline their hiring processes and make better decisions. The company initially focused on service-based franchise brands but soon expanded into other industries.

Transforming Hiring in Healthcare

Today, Hireology is a leader in the hiring and HR technology space, with a significant focus on facility-based care industries such as skilled nursing, senior care, long-term care, and home healthcare. Robinson and his team have tailored their platform to meet the unique legal, regulatory, and operational needs of the healthcare industry.

“Our early experience in franchise-based home healthcare networks gave us a strong foundation for understanding the healthcare market,” Robinson explains. “Multilocation senior care and healthcare operators work differently than anyone else. Each location typically operates as its own standalone business with local branding, but the corporate office still needs visibility into everything.”

The healthcare industry also presents unique hiring challenges. “This is a credential-driven recruiting effort,” Robinson notes. “We’re hiring people with state-level certifications who must pass specific background and reference checks—all in a market where talent is in short supply.”

Hireology has risen to the challenge, offering solutions for brand visibility in job postings, credentialing, background screening, legal compliance, and seamless onboarding. By addressing these pain points, the company has become an indispensable partner for healthcare organizations nationwide.

Looking Ahead

Fifteen years after its founding, Hireology continues to evolve. Robinson credits the company’s success to his team and their shared vision. “We have a clear roadmap for where we want to go, and we have the right leaders in place to make that vision a reality,” he says.

With the human capital technology market opportunity at over $40 billion annually and doubling over the next ten years, Robinson sees limitless potential for growth. “We’ve only just started,” the CEO shares. “We have an incredible opportunity to transform how businesses find, onboard, and improve talent.”

As Hireology looks to the future, one thing is clear: Adam Robinson’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to solving complex problems will continue to drive the company’s success.