Dealflow | July 9, 2018

Cell-Ed raises $1.5 million to upskill underserved U.S. workers

Jessica Pothering
ImpactAlpha Editor

Jessica Pothering

ImpactAlpha, July 9 – The Palo Alto-based company is among an expanding group of workforce development startups that are trying to help American workers acquire new skills and stay ahead the changing jobs landscape.

Cell-Ed supports American workers who read at or below a 6th grade level acquire basic language and literacy and work-related skills. “A lack of consistent internet access and digital literacy significantly hamper today’s online training and app-only offerings for this underrepresented, and often misunderstood, population,” Cell-Ed said in a statement. It offers three-minute lessons that can be used on any type of mobile device, including feature phones.

  • Reaching billions… Cell-Ed’s target market is two billion low-literacy and low-skilled adults worldwide, including 100 million in the U.S. It’s content is being used in the U.S. by companies like Discovery, the Los Angeles Public Library system, and state government agencies.
  • Investor support… The three-year old, women-run company has raised $1.5 million from Lumina Foundation’s impact fund, Lumina Impact Ventures, Strada Education Network, Partners Group’s employee foundation, Partners Group Impact (Verein), and Twilio.org Impact Fund.