Skills and training platform Anthropos has secured $2.7 million in funding to help organizations address challenges related to recruitment and retention. Founded by Stefano Bellasio and Giacomo Marinangeli, the company aims to help organizations map the skills of their employees with accuracy and detail, as well as help employees acquire new skills to bridge any gaps identified by their employers. Anthropos leverages automation and artificial intelligence technologies to scan data such as CVs, employment histories, and LinkedIn profiles to identify existing skills within an organization. The company has developed a “skills taxonomy” of over 60,000 specific skills and 18,000 job roles to provide employers with a more accurate assessment of the skills in their workplace.
Through skills verification using AI, Anthropos creates immersive real-life scenarios to test employees’ abilities to apply their skills in practice. These simulations range from developing digital marketing strategies to resolving maintenance issues, providing employees and employers with a comprehensive understanding of their skills in a safe environment. Employers can also use the platform to develop custom development plans for their employees based on their needs and aspirations for future growth. Bellasio highlights the importance of offering growth opportunities and clear paths to learning new skills for modern generations, stating that employees prioritize these aspects over salary and bonuses.
Anthropos has begun actively selling subscriptions to its platform this year, with early adopters primarily from the technology sector. However, the founders believe the platform is applicable across all industries, with potential benefits including cost savings on hiring due to improved retention rates and enhanced employee engagement. Despite facing competition from traditional enterprise solutions like Workday and SAP’s SuccessFactors, as well as other specialized providers, investors are optimistic about Anthropos’s prospects for success. The latest funding round, led by Switzerland-based Founderful with participation from other venture capital firms and angel investors, underscores confidence in the platform’s mission of democratizing career paths and skills development using AI.
Antonia Albert, Principal at Founderful, emphasizes the importance of career development and advancement in reducing employee turnover, noting that lack of opportunities for growth is a key driver of employees leaving their jobs. By using AI to facilitate skills development and career progression, Anthropos aims to address this issue and empower employees to evolve and expand their capabilities. With its unique approach to mapping skills, verifying abilities through simulations, and facilitating personalized development plans, Anthropos is poised to make a significant impact on how organizations manage talent, address skills gaps, and retain valuable employees in an increasingly competitive market.
