Led · Series A · Jul 2020

AstrumU provides a machine-learning platform that ingests verified data from colleges and employers to predict how specific skills, courses, internships and extracurricular activities translate into career outcomes. The system creates personalized Learner Scores for students to inform college coaching and advising by showing how course pathways, majors and choices affect return on educational investment. Employers use the platform to analyze the academic backgrounds of top-performing employees and to identify high-potential candidates regardless of their alma mater. Originally incubated at the University of Kansas, AstrumU's tools are being used by an initial cohort of colleges and universities including the University of Kansas, the University of Washington and American University. Led by founder and CEO Adam Wray, the company raised a $7.65M Series A that brought total funding to $13.2M. Heidrick Struggles chairman Adam Warby participated in the round and will join AstrumU as chairman of the board of directors. AstrumU builds an AI-driven platform using machine learning and predictive analytics to match students and recent graduates with employers. Employers share job descriptions and candidates share their background; the model predicts matches with the highest shared probability of success. The company reports working with "major Fortune 500 companies and top 100 universities" as clients and partners. An SEC filing shows $700,000 raised so far as part of a larger round; CEO Adam Wray said the startup has raised more than that but gave no further details. Earlier this year AstrumU raised $3 million from investors including Ignition Partners and Correlation Ventures. The company has been hiring leadership — including a head of student engagement and a new CTO — as it scales product development and client engagement. AstrumU is building machine-learning tools aimed at helping students identify impactful career paths and helping large employers find talent. The company partners with universities, though specific campus partners have not been disclosed. Founder Adam Wray says AstrumU seeks to "quantify higher education" and believes available data can be used to improve efficiency and address socio-economic issues tied to education. AstrumU is operating in stealth and plans to share more details later in the fall while keeping aspects of the product and partners private. The startup currently employs six people. Financially, the company has raised $3 million to date.

Led · Series A · May 2018

Canopy Biosciences develops and commercializes research tools focused on gene editing and expression analysis. The company was founded in September 2016 and operates out of the BioGenerator Labs in St. Louis, Missouri. Its lead technology is licensed through Washington University in St. Louis and it already serves customers in Europe, India, Japan, and South Korea. Canopy has demonstrated a rapid path to revenue, launching four product lines and two services within the past year. The company plans to use new funding to develop additional research tools, commercialize cutting-edge products, and hire more employees. Canopy was founded by Edward Weinstein, David Smoller, and Crystal Winkeler.