Skilledin Green at the recent edutech accelerator programme EdSpaze
Skilledin Green offers an online platform that connects sustainability-focused talent with recruiters and training providers. Launched in 2021, the platform combines technology and gamification to help users build green CVs, access relevant courses, explore job roles, and create personalised career plans.
With a presence in Singapore, the EU, and Indonesia, Skilledin Green’s mission is to make careers in the green economy a shared commitment to sustainability, providing individuals with the tools and resources to thrive in this rapidly growing sector.
Currently collaborating with organisations in Indonesia and Europe, Skilledin Green attracts diverse users, from budding sustainability experts seeking their first role to seasoned professionals looking to switch careers or upskill for advancement.
In an email interview with e27, Natasha Syed, Founder and CEO of Skilledin Green, explains how the company wants to make a difference and its upcoming plan.
The following is an edited excerpt of the interview.
Can you tell us about the problems Skilledin Green aims to solve and how your solution is better than the alternative?
Many people looking to start their sustainability journey often struggle to know what to learn first. Although a wide range of educational tools are available to help close the green skills gap, the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming. Our platform tackles this by offering job-based upskilling programmes focusing on emerging green skills, which also helps employers reap real benefits.
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While plenty of job platforms are available for hiring sustainability roles, the real challenge is finding candidates with the right mix of skills, especially for new types of jobs where experience might be scarce. We take a different approach by scoring candidates on green knowledge, soft skills, and other key abilities. This makes it easier to pick candidates who are just right for the job.
How did the Skilledin Green platform come to be? What is the product development like?
We began with a tool to identify skill gaps at the enterprise level but struggled to find the right market fit. After discussions with our team, we decided to specialise in sustainability and shift our approach to B2B2C.
Initially, this was meant to be a branch of our enterprise solution. However, due to significant market interest, we pivoted to make sustainability our primary offering.
As such, over the past 18 months, we have developed four web apps that function as one platform. This includes an LMS for training partners, an ATS for companies hiring in green sectors, and a talent community platform featuring mentors, experts, and job seekers.
Building everything in-house has allowed us to quickly adapt to emerging challenges in the professional sustainability field.
What are the most important milestones you have made recently?
We recently hit two major milestones: forming a partnership with Global Shapers Bali and securing a spot in EduSpaze’s ninth cohort. While it is still too early to discuss specifics about our collaboration with Global Shapers, we will share more information next month.
How does taking part in Eduspaze help your growth as a startup?
EduSpaze stands out for its unique approach to supporting startups in the education sector. The programme’s practical knowledge-sharing is highly valuable, with each session contributing significantly to our strategic improvements, innovation, and impact measurement. Additionally, the market immersion aspect of EduSpaze enables us to quickly penetrate multiple markets across SEA, a feat that would be challenging without their assistance.
Lastly, the program’s funding component is instrumental in preparing us for our first institutional funding round and provides access to an extensive network in SEA. Joining EduSpaze has been one of the best decisions for Skilledin Green this year, and we are deeply thankful for this chance.
Can you tell us more about your team at Skilledin Green?
As a single founder, I sometimes encounter challenges. However, I have been fortunate to gather an amazing team that shares our mission and provides full support by taking on some of my responsibilities when I need to zero in on strategic priorities.
Most of our team members are product-focused, handling various aspects of the product lifecycle—from design and development to deployment—and specialising in architecture, cloud services, and AI. I am proud to say that everyone on the team is a lifelong learner, a quality we value and encourage among ourselves and our users.
Currently, we are a strong team of seven, and we are excited about the prospect of expanding our team into European markets shortly.
Has Skilledin Green raised any external funding?
Up until now, our journey has been supported through bootstrapping and contributions from family and friends.
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However, we have entered a new chapter: our first formal fundraising period. We have carefully crafted plans for the subsequent two funding rounds.
Our immediate goal is to secure a strong market fit, ensuring our product effectively meets customer needs. Following that, in the next round, we aim to steer the company towards profitability. These strategic objectives are pivotal for our growth and long-term success.
What is coming up for Skilledin Green in 2024?
As we move into the final months of the year, we are excited to see the fruits of our work from the past months. Our team has been tirelessly laying the groundwork for several significant achievements that we anticipate will come to fruition during this period.
One of the key milestones we are excited about is the launch of our first long-term upskilling programme. This initiative represents a major step forward in our commitment to continuous learning and development. We are also preparing for the launch of the career mentorship and revamped community to facilitate global peer-to-peer sharing.
As I mentioned, we are also preparing to raise our first round of funding. This move is expected to propel our growth and enable us to scale our operations more effectively. The capital raised will be instrumental in supporting our strategic goals, user acquisition, and enhancing our product offerings.
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Lastly, we are on track to expand our footprint and establish our presence in new markets. This expansion has been a focus throughout the year, and we are now approaching the stage where we can see tangible results from our ongoing efforts. Breaking into the new territories is crucial for our long-term vision and will open up many opportunities for our business.
The upcoming months are shaping up to be a transformative period for Skilledin Green. We look forward to sharing these developments with you and continuing our journey towards greater success.
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Image Credit: Skilledin Green
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