Skillmaker Raises $4.5M Seed
Wilmington-based software startup Skillmaker has announced the closing of an oversubscribed $4.5 million Seed round to scale its AI-powered training and productivity platform designed for the skilled trades. The company combines automated knowledge collection with extended reality (XR) to deliver immersive hands-on training that significantly reduces the time required for technician certification.
Participating investors include Potencia Ventures, Full Circle, Lee Provost, NC State Wolfpack Investor Network, Workshop Ventures, IDEA Fund Partners, Richard Stroupe, and Lelon Winstead.
Skillmaker plans to use the new capital to expand its team with a focus on hiring talent in North Carolina. Additionally, the funds will support the platform's expansion from the automotive repair sector into new industries including data centers, telecommunications, HVAC, and plumbing.
Founded in North Carolina, Skillmaker is an AI-native workforce development company focused on modernizing training for the skilled trades. Its platform combines immersive virtual reality (VR) training with smart glasses that deliver real-time, AI-guided support on the job. By enabling workers to learn through hands-on experiences and access expert guidance in the field, Skillmaker aims to compress training timelines that traditionally take years into a matter of weeks.
Funding Details
Company Website: https://skillmaker.ai
Company: Skillmaker
Raised: $4.5M
Round: Seed
Funding Date: June 11, 2026
Investor: Potencia Ventures, Full Circle, Lee Provost, NC State Wolfpack Investor Network, Workshop Ventures, IDEA Fund Partners, Richard Stroupe, Lelon Winstead
Software Category: EdTech and Workforce Development