Skills Union, a Singapore-based digital skills training provider, has recently raised $1.5 million in a seed investment round.
The global digital learning company provides specialist vocational courses and degree pathways to students globally and strives to meet the needs of the rapidly growing tech sector by offering digital skills training programs.
The funding round was led by Australia’s Online Education Services (OES), which is part of the Seek group of companies, with participation from notable investors, including KDV Capital, Hustle Fund, Koh Boon Hwee, Siu Rui Quek, Ishreth Hassen, Sumardy Ma, Simin Zhou, and Anvesh Ramineni.
Skills Union, started in 2020, has partnered with institutions, including Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and London’s Ravensbourne University, for its cohort-based, active learning courses. The startup aims to help working professionals and students identify their upskilling options to begin their journey in today’s leading technologies.
Its digital skills training programs are delivered online and in-person at Skills Labs at partner universities in cities around the world. Some of the popular courses offered by the platform include Software Development, UX/UI Design, Digital Marketing, Data Science, Business Analytics, and Cyber Security among others.
Speaking about the company, Skill Union CEO and co-founder Colin Mansell said, “Skills Union represents a partnership between learners, universities, and employers, delivering specialist online, part-time, and vocational courses that accelerate careers and businesses.”
The platform offers program management covering the complete student lifecycle, from marketing and assessment to training, credentialing, and placement. Its pedagogy is based on Active Social Learning, where students follow an industry-curated curriculum while learning through real portfolio projects, led by industry instructors in peer cohorts, with direct access to an online network of mentors and SMEs.
Denice Pitt, CEO of OES, said on the funding, “We have been impressed with Skills Union’s business offering, approach to growth, and global outlook. Their product has many impressive features, including a flexible, stackable set of courses with a clear path to accredited degrees. We look forward to working closely with them as they expand their business.”
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.
According to a statement, the new investment comes at a pivotal moment for the 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.
