AI Skill Verification Startup NextWork Raises $4.45M to Expand Workforce Solutions

NextWork has raised $4.45 million in seed funding to accelerate its mission of helping individuals develop practical AI skills and demonstrate them through real-world project portfolios.

The funding round was led by Shakti VC with participation from Cake Ventures. Existing investors including GD1 VC, Blackbird Ventures, Icehouse Ventures, and Phase One Ventures also joined the round, alongside several angel investors.

According to Keval Desai, artificial intelligence is reshaping how people work and create, potentially enabling individuals to achieve more across disciplines. However, realizing this potential requires both creativity and the ability to use AI tools effectively. Desai noted that NextWork aims to equip individuals with the practical AI mastery needed to participate fully in this emerging digital economy.

HR Technology Insights: Go1 Launches Go1 Pay to Power Manager-Led Employee Development

As AI adoption accelerates across industries, organizations face a growing skills gap. Many hiring systems still rely heavily on traditional credentials and job titles, which often fail to accurately reflect a person’s real technical abilities. NextWork seeks to close this gap by focusing on proof-of-work portfolios rather than theoretical qualifications.

The platform enables learners to build hands-on projects such as AI chatbots and automated workflows while verifying and showcasing the skills they used to create them. These portfolios provide employers with tangible evidence of a candidate’s capabilities, helping shift hiring decisions toward demonstrated outcomes rather than inferred expertise.

Amber Winton explained that historically, learning systems were designed around solving real-world problems. Over time, however, education became more focused on credentials that do not always indicate what someone can actually build or deliver. NextWork’s platform aims to reconnect learning with real-world problem solving in an AI-driven economy.

HR Technology Insights: Leadership Update: Heather Kivett Transitions from Bespoke Partners to Industra Talent Partners

Since launching in 2024, the platform has attracted more than 190,000 learners across over 190 countries. Around 22% of completed projects come from users in the United States, with many learners aged between 25 and 35 who are using the platform to transition into AI-related roles or advance their careers.

Natasha Ong said the platform’s project-driven model allows the team to continuously adapt its learning content based on user feedback and evolving market demand for AI skills.

The newly raised capital will support NextWork’s expansion in the United States, including establishing its headquarters in Austin, Texas. The company also plans to invest in engineering and growth teams to further develop the platform and scale adoption among learners worldwide.

For users like Shane Brown, the platform has already demonstrated real impact. After struggling to secure an IT job despite completing cybersecurity training, Brown built a portfolio on NextWork that showcased his practical skills helping him transition from a custodial role into an IT position and opening new career opportunities.

HR Technology Insights: AI/R Launches Intelligent Recruitment Operations Agent in Microsoft Marketplace

To participate in our interviews, please write to our HRTech Media Room at  info@intentamplify.com