AUSTIN, Texas — Interplay Learning announced it has completed a $5.5 million Series A round of financing. S3 Ventures led the investment round with participation from Shasta Ventures, Sierra Ventures, Holt Ventures, Wild Basin Investments, and Shelter Capital Partners. Charlie Plauche, Partner with S3 Ventures, will join Interplay Learning’s board of directors. The round will support onboarding talent in its Austin offices and customer success team, in addition to aggressively accelerating expansion into new markets and developing new platform features.

“HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other skilled trade companies traditionally have had a massive ‘skills gap’ and worker shortage issue,” said Charlie Plauche, partner with S3 Ventures. “Until now, there was no way for job candidates to get experiential training online. Interplay Learning’s game-changing platform utilizing VR and 3D simulations is revolutionizing the way skilled trades are taught. It has already been used to train thousands of workers. When I spoke with current customers, it was clear that Interplay Learning helps skilled labor companies attract and train talent faster with its state-of-the-art 3D simulations at a lower cost.”

“Interplay's platform, coupled with on-the-job training, has quickly become the foundation for our internal training program,” said Robyn Hass, chief financial officer of Core Mechanical. “The content really engages our junior technicians, so they actually use it and can see a clear path on how to grow their technical skills. This means we can hire for attitude and train for skill.”

Interplay Learning’s new way to on-ramp and advance skills for the industrial workforce features a catalog that includes dozens of interactive video courses by top industry experts and state-of-the-art 3D troubleshooting simulations. Course materials are accessible by desktop, laptop, or VR-headset and provide an immersive learning experience for engagement and field-like experience. The solution delivers continuing education units (CEUs) as well. An administration capability allows service managers to track their team’s skill advancement. The subscription-based solution offers monthly and annual pricing.

Publication date: 5/21/2019

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