US-based education benefits software provider Guild Education completed a $40m series C round on Wednesday featuring Salesforce Ventures and Workday Ventures, respective subsidiaries of enterprise software providers Salesforce and Workday.
Venture capital firm Felicis Ventures led the round, which included Rethink Impact & Education, Silicon Valley Bank, Bessemer Venture Partners, Redpoint Ventures, Harrison Metal and Cowboy Ventures.
Guild has created an online platform that connects employers to a network of 90 non-profit universities and adult education providers that can help their workforce improve their education. It offers programs from high school completion courses to master’s degrees.
Wesley Chan, managing director at Felicis Ventures, will join Guild’s board of directors in conjunction with the round, which increased the company’s total funding to $71.5m.
Harrison Metal and Cowboy Ventures helped provide seed funding for Guild before participating in an $8.5m series A round in September 2016 led by Redpoint and backed by Social Capital and angel investor Fern Mandelbaum.
Bessemer Venture Partners led Guild’s $31.5m series B round in September 2017, investing together with Redpoint, Harrison Metal, and Cowboy Ventures.
Rachel Carlson, Guild Education’s chief executive, said: “Amidst record-low unemployment and impending automation, both employers and employees are fearful of how to prepare themselves for the future of work.
“Offering education as a benefit through Guild helps companies attract and retain employees for today’s job, while helping them upskill for the jobs of tomorrow.”