Multiverse, a UK-based apprenticeship service provider already backed by internet and technology conglomerate Alphabet and enterprise software producer Salesforce, secured $130m in its series C round yesterday.
The round was co-led by investment firm D1 Capital Partners and venture capital firm Bond, and the cash was raised at an $875m valuation according to TechCrunch.
Multiverse operates an online platform which provides access to apprenticeships across a number of industries and professional roles as an alternative to university.
Alphabet investment subsidiary GV took part in the company’s $44m series B round, in January 2021, which was led by VC firm General Catalyst and which included Latitude, Audacious Ventures, SemperVirens, Index Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Before it was rebranded from WhiteHat, Multiverse had raised $16m in a mid-2019 series A round led by Index Ventures that also featured Salesforce’s corporate venturing unit, Salesforce Ventures, and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Lightspeed had already led the company’s $4m seed round in 2018, participating alongside Village Global and private investors Anil Aggarwal and Wendy Tan White.
In a blog post, Multiverse said: “We know that talent is everywhere, but companies can only access the very best if they reach beyond traditional sources. As we grow geographically, across the US and UK, we have the opportunity to reach even more talented individuals from every part of society.
“We are committed to widening access to apprenticeships for individuals currently underrepresented in the sectors we work with. Reaching these individuals is at the core of our mission, delivered through innovative outreach programmes and our bespoke matching platform.
“As a result of our efforts, 53% of apprentices placed in their roles by Multiverse are people of colour and 36% are from economically disadvantaged communities.”
