UKG Agrees to Acquire Inova Payroll to Expand Service-Led HCM for SMBs
UKG has agreed to acquire Inova Payroll, a Nashville-based HCM and payroll provider serving 4,000+ SMBs. Inova is the largest reseller of the UKG Ready® suite nationwide. The deal is expected to close in early 2026, subject to conditions.
UKG Inc., a leading global AI platform unifying HR, pay, and workforce management, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Inova Payroll, a U.S.-based human capital management (HCM) and payroll services provider for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, will enable UKG to directly provide the SMB market segment with innovative outsourced HR support and full benefits brokerage services.
Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Inova serves more than 4,000 businesses. As the largest reseller of the UKG Ready® suite nationwide, Inova enhances HR operations through outsourced expertise and robust benefits support, helping employers more easily manage everyday HR tasks and compliance to better serve employees. Targeted third-party technology integrations help streamline essential processes and reduce manual effort.
“Inova has been a trusted UKG Ready partner since 2007, helping thousands of small and mid-sized businesses level the playing field against larger competitors by unlocking productive, efficient, and flexible workplace experiences, especially for SMBs with frontline teams,” said Arlen Shenkman, President, Chief Financial Officer at UKG. “Together, Inova and UKG will have an even greater impact on the SMB market segment, combining UKG’s technology and scale with Inova’s deep service expertise to deliver best-in-class frontline employee experiences that drive exceptional customer value.”
“Joining UKG marks an exciting new chapter for Inova. It allows us to bring our service-driven approach to an expanding community of small and mid-sized businesses seeking a technology platform that simplifies how they schedule, manage, engage, and inspire their employees,” said Joe Schweppe, CEO at Inova Payroll. “Inova’s commitment to empathy, kindness, superior service, and innovative solutions has never been more achievable. Our team and clients will benefit from direct access to enhanced product development, while UKG gains the advantage of our deep expertise in attracting and supporting small and mid-sized businesses.”
Inova has been featured on the annual Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. eight times, an accomplishment achieved by less than 1% of Inc. 5000 recipients. It has also captured numerous awards and honors from G2, which publishes reports and rankings on customer satisfaction based directly on end-user feedback and reviews.
The acquisition is expected to close in early 2026.
About UKG
UKG is a leading global AI platform for HR, pay, and workforce management. Unifying award-winning solutions with the world’s largest collection of workforce data and people-first AI, UKG delivers unrivaled insights into today’s workforce, helping organizations in every industry turn data into decisions that elevate productivity, culture, and the customer experience. Trusted by more than 80,000 organizations across 150 countries, tens of millions of employees — from small businesses to global enterprises — use UKG every day. To learn more, visit ukg.com.
