Digital Learning Provider Skills Union secures $1.5m to fuel expansion

Skills Union, a Singapore-based digital learning provider, announced raising $1.5 million in a seed funding round to kickstart its expansion plans and take its specialist vocational courses and degree pathways to students globally.

The funding round was led by Online Education Services (OES), part of the Seek group of companies, with notable investors including KDV, Hustle Fund, Koh Boon Hwee, Siu Rui Quek, Ishreth Hassen, Sumardy Ma, Simin Zhou, and Anvesh Ramineni.

Established in Singapore in 2020, Skills Union has partnered with institutions including Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and London’s Ravensbourne University for its cohort-based, active learning courses.

The edtech startup’s career-focused content ranges from software engineering and UX/UI design to growth marketing and digital entrepreneurship.

It offers courses that are in demand by high-growth companies, such as software development, user experience design, and growth marketing, aimed at both the consumer and business audiences.

Skills Union said the funding is a major milestone for its mission to become a global provider of university-accredited courses, which promise job-ready graduates to tech companies needing a digitally equipped workforce with trusted university credentials.

“This investment gives us the lift-off we want to further scale our programs and impact the lives of many more students,” said Skills Union CEO and co-founder Colin Mansell.

Skills Union takes its place in a rapidly growing online education sector, which is projected to reach $660 billion by 2027. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for one-third of the global market and is anticipated to experience the fastest growth over this period, according to the statement.

Commenting on its investment, OES CEO Denice Pitt said they have been impressed with Skills Union’s business offering, approach to growth, and global outlook.

“We are seeing a global shift in the way that universities and employers are working together to close the skills gap, and we are really excited to be able to play our part in the current revolution we are seeing in tech education,” Pitt said.