NextWork has raised $4.45 million in a seed funding round led by Shakti VC, with participation from Cake Ventures and returning investors including GD1 VC, Blackbird Ventures, Icehouse Ventures, and Phase One Ventures. The company plans to use this investment to expand its operations in the United States and establish a U.S. headquarters in Austin, Texas. NextWork aims to scale a platform focused on verifying practical AI skills through project-based learning, reflecting a growing interest in aligning education outcomes with employment opportunities.
The funding underscores a trend where organizations are increasingly seeking methods to assess real technical capabilities, moving beyond traditional degrees and credentials. By facilitating a verification layer for AI skills, NextWork allows learners to engage in hands-on projects and publish portfolios that showcase their capabilities.
Keval Desai, Founder and Managing Director at Shakti VC, commented on the investment: “The age of AI promises a new Renaissance where human potential is no longer siloed by specialization. In the AI age, every person can be a Michelangelo because AI will provide abundant tools to do anything we want in the digital or physical domain.” He emphasized that mastery of AI alongside imagination is essential for realizing this future and expressed excitement about investing in Amber Winton, the founder of NextWork.
Amber Winton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at NextWork, articulated the company’s mission: “For most of history, learning existed to solve real problems. Somewhere along the way, we replaced that with credentials and titles that don’t tell you who can build anymore.” Winton highlighted the need for systems that reward practical skills as AI continues to transform the workplace, stating that NextWork is committed to realigning learning, work, and value towards problem-solving.
Since its launch in 2024, NextWork claims to have attracted over 190,000 learners from 190 countries, who have utilized the platform to create AI-focused projects, including chatbots and automated workflows. Notably, 22 percent of completed projects originate from U.S.-based learners, many of whom use their project portfolios to facilitate career transitions or advancements.
Natasha Ong, Chief of Staff at NextWork, noted the significance of transforming user feedback into skills that mirror market demands. “Watching learners complete projects and leverage their portfolios to unlock new jobs and opportunities has reaffirmed why this work matters so deeply,” Ong stated, emphasizing the platform’s role in bridging the gap between education and employment.
The recent funding round will enable NextWork to hire more talent in engineering and growth roles, further enhancing its operations in the U.S. The company is particularly focused on increasing the adoption of its platform among both learners and employers. Shane Brown, a NextWork learner from Arizona, shared his experience: “After completing an intensive cybersecurity training program, I still struggled to find a job because I didn’t have concrete proof of what I could actually do. To make ends meet, I worked a custodial job while building my portfolio on NextWork, and it worked! The skills I showed in my portfolio were what helped me move from school custodian to the IT department, opening new doors in my career.”
The funding and planned expansion reflect an increasing recognition of the value of project-based learning and demonstrable skills in the evolving job market. As AI technologies continue to reshape various sectors, platforms like NextWork are positioned to fill a critical gap, aligning educational pathways with actual employment needs. The company’s efforts could play a significant role in redefining how skills are validated and recognized in an era where traditional credentials may fall short.
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open for submissions, celebrating education technology organizations that deliver measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards welcome entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, assessing submissions based on evidence of outcomes and real-world applications.
