Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · Herndon, VA, USA
Upskill is a company.
Upskill has raised $67.2M across 5 funding rounds.
Key people at Upskill.
Upskill was founded in 2010 by Craig Cummings (Co-Founder).
Upskill has raised $67.2M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Upskill developed the Skylight platform, an augmented reality software solution to enhance industrial worker productivity. Integrating with smart glasses, this enterprise-grade system provides real-time, hands-free information and guidance directly within the worker’s field of view. The platform enables efficient and accurate task execution across manufacturing, logistics, and field service environments by capturing critical operational data.
Founded by Sean Lane and Brian Ballard, Upskill began as APX Labs, developing specialized smart glass software for the United States Army. The co-founders then pivoted to leverage this advanced optical wearable technology for the enterprise market, equipping industrial workers with high-precision, hands-free capabilities previously honed in military applications.
Upskill’s product serves diverse industrial customers, spanning manufacturing to field service, assisting with tasks like aircraft maintenance. The company envisions empowering every industrial worker, elevating impact through improved efficiency and operational excellence via augmented reality. Its long-term vision is to transform how frontline workers perform, learn, and collaborate with data-driven AR experiences.
Key people at Upskill.
Upskill has raised $67.2M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $8.0M Series U in October 2019.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2019 | $8M Series U | — | Construct Capital, Darco Capital, Revolution, Darrell Cavens, Gordon Segal | Announced |
| Mar 6, 2018 | $17.2M Venture Round | — | Paul Daugherty, TED Colbert, ROB Salvagno, GE Ventures, NEW Enterprise Associates | Announced |
| Nov 18, 2015 | $13M Venture Round | NEA | CNF Investments, Ralph Taylor Smith, Salesforce Ventures, SineWave Ventures | Announced |
| Nov 1, 2015 | $13M Series U | NEA | Construct Capital, Darco Capital, Revolution, Darrell Cavens, Gordon Segal, CNF Investments, GE Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, SineWave Ventures | Announced |
| May 1, 2014 | $16M Series A | Peter Barris | Construct Capital, Contour Venture Partners, Darco Capital, Revolution, Work Bench, Darrell Cavens, Gordon Segal | Announced |
Upskill was founded in 2010 by Craig Cummings (Co-Founder).
Upskill has raised $67.2M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Upskill's investors include Construct Capital, Darco Capital, Revolution, Darrell Cavens, Gordon Segal, Paul Daugherty, Ted Colbert, Rob Salvagno, GE Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, NEA, CNF Investments.
Upskill Corporation (UpSkill) is a leadership consulting and training organization focused on developing capable, confident, and inclusive leaders for organizations from startups to large enterprises.[1] It offers customizable programs including leadership training, coaching, and facilitated conversations that integrate strategy, skill development, and inclusivity to enhance productivity, culture, and employee experience.[1]
The company's mission is to inspire leaders to reimagine leadership, fostering healthy, inclusive cultures where people belong and deliver outstanding value.[1] It emphasizes three core values: Inclusive (welcoming experiences), Nurturing (growth through care and accountability), and Strategic (practical tools for lasting impact).[1] Serving clients across industries, Upskill drives organizational development through online and in-person delivery by experienced facilitators and coaches.[1]
Upskill Corporation, branded as UpSkill, operates as a dedicated leadership development firm without publicly detailed founding year or key partners in available sources.[1] Its backstory centers on addressing modern business demands for leaders who can navigate change, with a brand promise of "cultivating capable, confident leaders who reimagine themselves and how they lead."[1]
The idea emerged from recognizing the need for inclusive, strategic leadership training amid evolving workplaces, blending skill-building with cultural transformation.[1] Early traction likely stems from its comprehensive suite of programs tailored for every organizational level, positioning it to serve diverse clients from startups to global companies, though specific pivotal moments are not documented.[1]
Upskill stands out in the leadership training space through these key strengths:
These elements differentiate Upskill from generic training providers by prioritizing holistic leadership transformation over isolated skills.
Upskill rides the surging demand for leadership upskilling in tech and beyond, amid digital transformation, AI adoption, and hybrid work trends that require inclusive, adaptive leaders.[1][2][5] Timing is critical as workforce reskilling becomes urgent—PwC's initiatives have reached millions for digital skills, while broader movements like Aspen Institute's UpSkill America push employer-led career advancement for frontline workers.[2][3]
Market forces favoring Upskill include talent retention challenges, where upskilling boosts productivity and loyalty, and the shift toward human-centered leadership in tech ecosystems.[5][8] It influences the ecosystem by equipping leaders to build inclusive cultures, indirectly supporting tech innovation through stronger teams and reduced skills gaps, aligning with global pledges like the Upskilling 2025 initiative.[7]
Upskill is poised to expand its global footprint by setting standards in innovative leadership training, capitalizing on AI-driven workplaces and net-zero transitions demanding resilient leaders.[1][2] Trends like lifelong learning and reskilling revolutions will shape its growth, potentially through partnerships with tech firms and platforms emphasizing developer and managerial upskilling.[6][8]
Its influence may evolve toward deeper tech integrations, such as AI-enhanced coaching, amplifying impact on startup ecosystems and large-scale transformations—reaffirming its role in reimagining leadership for a thriving, inclusive future.[1]
