Participated · Series A · May 2023

Korbit Technologies Inc. is a Montreal-based AI company focused on transforming workforce enablement through a generative AI platform that integrates directly into day-to-day workflows. Its flagship product, the AI Mentor for Software Engineering, automatically reviews code, detects and assigns issues, explains fixes, and delivers live tutorials and coding exercises tailored to each engineer and environment. The system also gives managers dashboards for tracking issue resolution, skill development, and project planning. Positioned as a perpetual personal coach, the mentor aims to raise code quality, increase productivity, and relieve senior engineers of routine review tasks. Over the past two years, Korbit’s earlier learning application has upskilled more than 20,000 students and professionals, including teams at some of the world’s largest tech companies. The company will use newly secured capital to accelerate platform development and broaden the beta launch of the AI Mentor. Financially, Korbit has just closed an $11.3 million Series A to fund these growth initiatives.

Participated · Series A · Jan 2022

FactoryFix is a recruiting platform that helps manufacturers find and hire qualified workers. The company reported revenue growth of over 400% in the past year and has expanded its talent network to more than 300,000. CEO Patrick O'Rahilly said many manufacturers have turned down business because they lacked qualified people, underscoring demand for the service. FactoryFix also produces an off-beat, The Office-style YouTube comedy series. The newsletter notes the company is actively hiring (four open positions) while scaling its network and offerings. FactoryFix operates a web-based platform that matches manufacturers with skilled laborers such as electricians, machinists, robot programmers, and welders. The company handles payroll and paperwork and generates revenue by charging commissions on the hourly wages of placed workers. About 350 manufacturing companies and 1,200 skilled workers have signed up for the service. FactoryFix recently relocated its headquarters from Chicago to Madison, WI while maintaining a Chicago sales office. The startup plans to hire additional engineers, a UI designer, and a marketing lead with a goal to double headcount to 26 employees within a year. Near-term product plans include releasing a mobile version of the platform, and the company is targeting $4 million in sales in 2019.

Participated · Seed · Dec 2021

AdeptID provides machine-learning-powered talent-matching software and exposes its capabilities via a public API licensed to customers. The company focuses on supporting hidden talent in the workforce by identifying underlying, transferable skills among Americans without college degrees. It is organized as a Public Benefit Corporation and led by CEO Fernando Rodriguez-Villa. Since launching the public API earlier in the year, AdeptID has licensed its AI models to YearUp, Generation USA and Enel Green Power. The firm plans to use new funding to accelerate software development and scale distribution through its API partners. AdeptID aims to close the labor gap by connecting identified talent with in-demand jobs or high-impact training.

Participated · Seed · Aug 2021

Anthill provides a talent platform that uses skills data and people science to help employers connect with, develop, and retain deskless employees across manufacturing, distribution, and retail. The product pairs employer-facing skills and talent tools with a mobile experience for employees. The company is positioned as an HR SaaS solution for large-scale deskless workforces. Anthill plans to use new funding to continue expanding operations and broaden its business reach. Founded in 2020 by CEO Muriel Clauson and CTO Young Jae Kim, the company has focused on scaling deployments in sectors with frontline workforces. Anthill AI builds an integrated talent management platform that uses machine learning to align employee and employer objectives across experience, retention, reskilling, development and internal mobility. The software visualizes where employees and organizations currently stand and maps potential career pathways. It is designed to reach a wide range of workers, from corporate staff to retail and manufacturing employees, and engages employees through a mobile app. Led by co-founder and CEO Muriel Clauson, the company emphasizes both employer insights and employee development. Anthill AI participated in the TechStars New York City 2020 cohort and was founded in 2020 in Chicago, IL. In its first financing, the company secured $1.24M to support product development and expanded talent recruitment to scale sales.

Participated · Equity · Mar 2021

ChargerHelp! provides operations, maintenance and workforce development for the electric vehicle charging industry through an app-based dispatch and deployment system that enables on-demand repairs and maintenance by trained local workforces. Led by CEO Kameale C. Terry and based in Los Angeles, the company addresses industrywide problems of downed charging stations. Early last year ChargerHelp! launched Reliability as a Service (RaaS), a labor subscription service that supports charging station owners and operators. The company intends to use its new funding to build out the EMPWR reliability software platform. ChargerHelp! also plans to expand its RaaS offering and grow its workforce development programs. The Series A proceeds are intended to scale both the software and service sides of its operations and maintenance business. ChargerHelp operates an on-demand repair app and preventative maintenance service for electric vehicle charging stations, dispatching trained technicians to diagnose and fix non-electrical issues. The company works directly with charging manufacturers and network providers and has landed contracts with customers including EV Connect, ABB and SparkCharge. ChargerHelp uses a workforce-development hiring model, recruiting cohorts, training technicians (paid stipends and safety licenses) and paying full-time technicians a guaranteed $30/hour plus equity. It has run pilots with Tellus Power, raised about $400,000 in grant funding, and trained and deployed technicians across six states. The startup planned to use new funding to build out its platform, hire beyond its 27-person workforce and expand its service area. ChargerHelp was founded in January 2020 and is based in Los Angeles.