Led · Equity · Nov 2024

Springpod is a London-based provider of free virtual work-based learning experiences for students. It offers free online work-based learning experiences that allow students to demonstrate their potential and connect with best-fitting employers and universities. The company partners with universities and employers and its network includes more than 100 partners, including Airbus, Amazon, Siemens, Meta, JLL, and Barclays. Over 700,000 students have benefited from its programs. Led by CEO Sam Hyams, Springpod received a £1.9M investment from American Student Assistance and plans to use the funds to expand operations across the USA. The company intends to broaden its U.S. business reach while continuing to provide free access to work-based learning through its partner network. Springpod is an online student recruitment platform that enables employers and education providers to target, inform and engage students as they plan their futures. The platform offers virtual tasters of university courses and online work experience, producing high-quality, experiential content for young people. Springpod says it has supported over 400,000 students to date and works with around one-third of UK universities. Its client list includes employers such as Airbus, Siemens, Vodafone, Fujitsu and the NHS. Founder and CEO Sam Hyams said the company aims to scale its impact from the 400,000 young people supported to millions. The company recently secured outside capital to fund that growth. Springpod is a specialist careers platform that helps young people explore the world of work and university through virtual work experience programs, virtual events, and digital student engagement solutions. Founded in 2018 by Sam Hyams and Oliver Fisher and based in London and Liverpool, the platform connects employers, universities and organisations with students. More than 150,000 young people have used Springpod to engage with employers and universities. The company raised £2.25M in a Series A round to support growth. Springpod intends to use the funds to launch its platform in new international territories. It offers tools for employers and education providers to run virtual programmes and events to help students make informed decisions about their futures.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2024

Skillfully operates a recruitment platform centered on simulations and assessment grading that lets employers evaluate candidates through skill-verified assessments. The platform also enables employers to hire directly from its TalentNetwork, which includes national career partners such as universities, community college systems, HBCUs, and workforce development organizations. Skillfully positions its TalentNetwork to surface a diverse and motivated candidate pool often overlooked by conventional resume-first hiring tools and professional networks. The company is led by CEO Brett Waikart. Skillfully raised $2.5M in seed funding to support its growth. The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and further its product development efforts.