Able

About Able

Able, formerly known as EmployStream, operates as a specialized software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider focused on automating the onboarding process for the staffing industry. The company was founded in 2014 by Rob Sable and originated from within a Cleveland-based staffing agency, giving its team firsthand insight into the complex challenges of managing high-volume employee onboarding. This experience shaped the development of its core product. One of the key figures in the company's growth was Gerald Hetrick, who served as CEO. Hetrick has a 25-year background as an entrepreneur, having co-founded and led two companies from their inception to a successful exit. His journey includes dropping out of university to take a full-time position at a technology reseller, where he advanced through the ranks and later became CTO and COO at subsequent technology firms before his tenure at Able.

The company's primary offering is a cloud-based, mobile-first onboarding automation platform designed to streamline and simplify the hiring process for staffing firms and other high-volume employers. The platform addresses critical touchpoints in the hiring cycle, such as qualifying, hiring, and engaging candidates. Its features include configurable workflows to manage job-specific requirements, a centralized portal for candidates to complete tasks, automated text and email reminders, and e-signature capabilities. This automation aims to significantly reduce the time and cost associated with hiring by eliminating manual data entry, ensuring compliance, and providing a seamless experience for candidates on any device. The business model is centered on providing this SaaS platform to clients, which include some of the largest staffing agencies in the world.

A significant milestone in the company's history occurred in August 2020 when EmployStream rebranded as Able, a move to emphasize its core mission of simplifying the processes that prevent candidates from starting a job. The company has achieved notable growth, securing a $7 million Series B funding round in February 2020 to expand product development and its market footprint. By 2020, its software had facilitated over a million onboardings for more than 160 customers. In January 2022, Able was acquired by Bullhorn, a major applicant tracking system provider and a longtime partner. This acquisition integrated Able's onboarding solutions directly into the Bullhorn platform, with Able's CEO, Gerald Hetrick, and CPO, Dustin Brewer, joining Bullhorn's leadership team to focus on the talent experience.