Dealflow | August 1, 2019

Jobs for the Future grows investment capacity with Employment Technology Fund acquisition

Jessica Pothering
ImpactAlpha Editor

Jessica Pothering

ImpactAlpha, August 1 –  Jobs for the Future got its start 35 years ago helping Connecticut’s workforce meet the state’s jobs needs. The non-profit organization’s work has since expanded across the country.

The organization acquired Employment Technology Fund, an investment firm focusing on workforce training tech.

Employment Technology Fund launched in 2017 with backing from the Joyce, Kellogg, Rockefeller, Walmart and ECMC foundations. It has since invested in seven early-stage companies, including Palo Alto-based Cell-Ed, which caters to low-literacy and low-skilled adults, and Denver-based PAIRIN, a software company focusing on soft skills training.

The acquisition by Jobs of the Future supports the expansion of an education and workforce tech incubation initiative the organization started last year, called JFFLabs. Employment Technology Fund will become Jobs of the Future’s investment arm, making debt and equity investments, EdSurge reports.