NextWork has raised $4.45 million in a seed funding round led by Shakti VC, with participation from Cake Ventures and returning investors including GD1 VC, Blackbird Ventures, Icehouse Ventures, and Phase One Ventures.

The company says the investment will support expansion in the United States, including the establishment of its U.S. headquarters in Austin, Texas, as it scales a platform designed to verify practical AI skills through project-based learning.

The funding reflects growing interest in platforms that connect learning outcomes with employment, as organizations increasingly look for ways to assess real technical capability rather than relying solely on degrees or traditional credentials.

Building portfolios to verify AI skills

NextWork positions its platform as a verification layer for AI skills, allowing learners to complete hands-on projects and publish portfolios that demonstrate what they can build.

The company says the approach is designed to address what it describes as a growing disconnect between formal credentials and demonstrable technical skills as AI tools reshape the workforce.

Keval Desai, Founder and Managing Director at Shakti VC, says: “The age of AI promises a new Renaissance where human potential is no longer siloed by specialization. In the AI age every person can be a Michelangelo because AI will provide abundant tools to do anything we want in the digital or physical domain.

“Achieving this future requires only two things: imagination and the mastery of AI. While the imagination is up to us, NextWork provides the mastery. This is Amber’s vision and we have never been more excited to invest in a founder and the future that she is building.”

Amber Winton, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at NextWork, says: “For most of history, learning existed to solve real problems. Somewhere along the way, we replaced that with credentials and titles that don’t tell you who can build anymore.

“As AI reshapes how work is done, the world needs systems that reward what people can actually build. NextWork exists to realign learning, work and value around solving real problems again.”

Global user base and project-based learning

NextWork launched in 2024 and says more than 190,000 learners across 190 countries have used the platform to build AI-focused projects, including chatbots and automated workflows.

The company reports that 22 percent of completed projects come from U.S.-based learners, many of whom use project portfolios to support career changes or progression.

Natasha Ong, Chief of Staff at NextWork, says: “Since we launched, I’ve been fortunate to lead the project writing team, turning user feedback into skills that directly reflect market demand. Watching learners complete projects and leverage their portfolios to unlock new jobs and opportunities has reaffirmed why this work matters so deeply.”

Expansion plans in the United States

NextWork says the new funding will support hiring across engineering and growth roles while expanding operations in the United States.

The company plans to establish Austin, Texas as its U.S. headquarters as it seeks to increase adoption of the platform among learners and employers.

Shane Brown, a NextWork learner in Arizona, says: “After completing an intensive cybersecurity training program, I still struggled to find a job because I didn’t have concrete proof of what I could actually do.

“To make ends meet, I worked a custodial job while building my portfolio on NextWork, and it worked! The skills I showed in my portfolio were what helped me move from school custodian to the IT department, opening new doors in my career.”

ETIH Innovation Awards 2026

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.

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