A few years ago, Darren Shimkus, former president of Udemy, discussed the importance of skills building with Dennis Yang.
Shimkus recognized the challenge of building skills in the corporate sector but believed it could be overcome with the right technology. He shared his thoughts with Yang, who was then Udemy’s CEO.
As Shimkus explained to TechCrunch, despite solving the access problem to learning through video content at Udemy, they realized that access alone was not sufficient.
This conversation led to the creation of a new startup called Modal, focusing on providing personalized technical skills training for corporate staff.
Modal offers on-demand coaching and a pedagogical approach that forms online learning communities based on users’ needs.
Shimkus highlighted, “Our platform assesses each team member, identifies skill gaps, and develops custom skill improvement plans to help companies achieve their strategic objectives with reduced skill risk.”
Despite a competitive upskilling market, Modal aims to stand out by focusing on data and AI trends in their e-learning courses.
Image Credits: Modal
Another key advantage of Modal is its focus on real-world application, providing learners with coaches to contextualize and assist with key concepts.
Shimkus emphasized, “Our emphasis on applied practice and coaching sets us apart from traditional e-learning platforms, positioning us against a limited number of competitors.”
Modal’s business model charges companies only upon completion of a course, leading to over 100 clients, mostly from the Fortune 1000, according to Shimkus.
Recently, Modal secured $25 million in funding led by Left Lane Capital, totaling $32 million raised. The company plans to expand its team to meet growing demand and offer services globally.
Shimkus concluded, “The increasing need for upskilling due to generative AI advancements has made it essential for companies to invest in transforming their teams and businesses. Modal addresses this need in today’s rapidly evolving workplace environment.”
