NextStep Interactive Secures $3 Million to Expand Mobile-Based Healthcare Job Training Platform

On August 1, 2019, VCBeat (WeChat ID: vcbeat) learned that NextStep Interactive, a medical professional training company, had completed a $3 million financing round. The investors included SEI Ventures, JAZZ Venture Partners, Learn Capital, Springrock Ventures, City Light Capital, Frontier Angels, and three managing directors from Pioneer Square Labs.

Following this round of financing, NextStep Interactive will further expand its business scale and develop new training models to help more unemployed workers re-enter the healthcare industry.

It is reported that NextStep Interactive completed a $3.275 million seed funding round on October 18, 2018. The round was led by JAZZ Venture Partners, with participation from Learn Capital, SpringRock Ventures, and Pioneer Square Labs.

NextStep Interactive, headquartered in Seattle, USA, is dedicated to training unemployed workers to help them secure jobs in the healthcare industry and enabling employers to screen candidates based on their competencies and skills. By delivering 10–15-minute lessons via mobile devices, NextStep Interactive helps formerly unemployed workers from low-wage service sectors transition into higher-paying healthcare roles with greater potential for career advancement. These workers not only receive vocational training from NextStep but also benefit from targeted job placement services.

As the U.S. population ages, demand for healthcare jobs continues to rise. Data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 60% of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States are in the healthcare sector. By 2026, demand for positions such as home health aides is projected to increase by 41%. A 2016 study found that global demand for healthcare jobs would exceed 15 million.

Chris Hedrick, CEO of NextStep Interactive, is a seasoned entrepreneur who previously served as CEO of the venture capital firm Intrepid Learning and as Science and Technology Advisor to Gary Locke, Governor of Washington State. He also led Kepler, a higher education initiative in Senegal aimed at expanding educational opportunities in Rwanda.

Chris Hedrick stated, “Unemployed workers displaced by automation represent an untapped talent pool for the healthcare industry. The sector is facing a severe labor shortage, with significant vacancies in roles such as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Home Health Aides, and Community Health Workers. We provide healthcare-specific training to these individuals, leveraging NextStep’s innovative training model to deliver differentiated instruction tailored to their schedules and capabilities. Furthermore, we offer targeted job placement services, as we are confident that they can demonstrate exceptional personal potential.”

Terry McDonough, Managing Director at SEI Ventures, stated, “NextStep combines novel assessment methods with training models to help unemployed individuals rapidly enhance their job skills and secure better employment opportunities. We strongly support companies that not only deliver high returns on investment but also help narrow the social skills gap.”

SEI Ventures, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Washington, USA, focuses on investing in innovative enterprises.

JAZZ Venture Partners, established in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, USA, is a leading venture capital firm focused on investing in companies at the intersection of digital technology and neuroscience.

Learn Capital, founded in 2008 and headquartered in San Francisco, USA, focuses on investing in startups in the field of educational innovation.

Springrock Ventures, headquartered in Washington, D.C., focuses on investing in innovative companies in the fields of digital health, oral health, healthcare, e-commerce, and IT.

City Light is a venture capital firm focused on investing in impactful startups.

Frontier Angels, established in 2003 and headquartered in Montana, USA, specializes in investing in companies at the angel round.

Pioneer Square Labs is a venture capital fund established in 2015, headquartered in Seattle, United States.

(Compiled by Hu Yifan)