Emerge, a global early-stage VC firm, has announced the close of its second fund, an oversubscribed $73 million investment dedicated to startups focused on the future of work and learning. This new fund takes Emerge’s total managed assets to $100 million, more than tripling the firm’s original fund size.
Emerge’s partners, coming from backgrounds where education was a critical stepping stone, are committed to helping founders increase access to learning and empower people to grow their careers, especially through AI-based tools. They aim to level the playing field for a new generation of workers.
Fund II’s backers include KfW Capital, Laerdal Invest, Jacobs Foundation and Southern New Hampshire University. Over the past decade, Emerge has made over 80 investments in companies that are now valued collectively at more than $2 billion, impacting over 31 million people globally. The firm’s portfolio includes successful exits and a range of AI-focused investments, such as Solvely, Colossyan and Popp, which are redefining how individuals learn and develop professionally.
Emerge stands apart as a community-powered, thesis-driven VC. Supported by over 100 Venture Partners, Emerge’s network includes founders and executives from major work and learning companies, such as Udemy, Kahoot, Andela, and Springboard, alongside HR leaders from top firms like IBM, Boeing, and Kraft Heinz.
These Venture Partners provide hands-on support throughout a portfolio company’s lifecycle, aiding in everything from market research to due diligence, and even joining as board members or clients. With over half of its partners based in the US, Emerge is well-positioned to help European founders expand into American markets and beyond.
The closing of Fund II follows multiple successful exits for Emerge, including Zavvy’s acquisition by Deel earlier this year, as well as numerous portfolio companies seeing significant up-rounds from leading investment firms. Examples include Yoto ($22M Series B led by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative); Edurino (€10.5M Series A led by DN Capital); Mattilda ($19M Series A led by GSV); and Unibuddy ($20M Series B led by Highland Europe).
Investments already out of Fund II include Colossyan, the AI video platform for workplace learning that enables users to create videos from text with AI avatars. In June this year, Colossyan announced a $22M Series A with new investors including Lakestar (known for their collaborations with leading companies such as Revolut and Spotify).
“AI is reshaping how we learn, find and do our jobs, and the companies that harness this shift will define the future. With the expertise of our Venture Partners – who’ve built some of the world’s leading future of work and learning companies – we’re equipping founders with the strategic insights they need to seize this unprecedented opportunity.”
– Jan Lynn-Matern, founder and GP
“The choices we make now about how to move forward as a society – whether we take everyone with us or not – will determine whether AI ultimately exacerbates or reduces inequalities. Working with Emerge to solve these challenges is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life: I get to do what I do best, coaching world-class entrepreneurs who are building companies that will define the future of work and learning. And it’s a pleasure to do so alongside a team that cares deeply about its mission and has access to the best entrepreneurs on the planet.”
– Christina Sass, CEO, International Youth Foundation; founder, Andela; Emerge VP
“Emerge has unrivalled dealflow and insights in this space, not to mention lived experience, which they bring together with a unique approach to investing: a world-leading Venture Partner community, gathered to support companies that help every individual adapt and thrive in an AI-powered world. It’s inspiring to be part of this community enabling me to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs to solve the biggest problems of our time.”
– Abakar Saidov, CEO, Beamery
“Emerge has been a great partner – their excellent reputation, deep understanding of the future of work and learning sector, ability to move quickly and the immense value added by their Venture Partners network were the main reasons we chose them over other funds at our Seed round.”
– Sean Hirons and Kharis Yanakidis, co-founders, MyEdSpa
