What is SkillShare?
SkillShare operates as a premier online learning community, specifically engineered for the creative economy. The platform offers an expansive library of thousands of classes spanning graphic design, illustration, photography, and business essentials. By facilitating a peer-to-peer teaching model alongside professional instruction, SkillShare has cultivated a unique market position that bridges the gap between casual hobbyists and career-focused professionals. Beyond individual memberships, the company has successfully pivoted toward enterprise solutions, providing organizations with the tools necessary to foster employee wellbeing and professional development in an increasingly digital-first workforce.
How much funding has SkillShare raised?
SkillShare has raised a total of $88.8M across 6 funding rounds:
Angel/Seed
$550K
Series A
$3.1M
Private Equity
$1M
Private Equity
$6.1M
Series B
$12M
Series D
$66M
Angel/Seed (2011): $550K with participation from Collaborative Fund, SV Angel, and Founder Collective
Series A (2011): $3.1M, investors not publicly disclosed
Private Equity (2013): $1M supported by Vegas Tech Fund
Private Equity (2014): $6.1M featuring Union Square Ventures and Spark Capital
Series B (2016): $12M backed by Union Square Ventures, Omidyar Network, Amasia, and Spark Capital
Series D (2020): $66M with participation from Union Square Ventures, Amasia, OMERS Growth Equity, Spero Ventures, Adobe, and Burda Principal Investments
Key Investors in SkillShare
Union Square Ventures
A New York City-based venture capital firm that invests in transformative markets influenced by technological and societal changes, targeting innovative companies poised for long-term growth.
Amasia
A Los Angeles-based production and investment firm that emphasizes compelling storytelling and social impact, supporting projects with significant franchise and content development potential.
Spero Ventures
A venture capital firm comprised of former operators and founders that focuses on mission-driven technology companies within the wellbeing, sustainability, and learning sectors.
What's next for SkillShare?
With the recent influx of capital, SkillShare is well-positioned to accelerate its product roadmap and deepen its penetration into the corporate training market. The strategic focus will likely shift toward enhancing the user experience through advanced personalization algorithms and expanding its library of soft-skills content. As the edtech landscape becomes increasingly competitive, SkillShare's ability to maintain its community-driven ethos while scaling its enterprise offerings will be critical. The company is expected to leverage its current financial standing to explore new international markets and potentially integrate more sophisticated collaborative tools for its growing user base.
See full SkillShare company page
