This week, Wilmington-based Skillmaker announced the close of its oversubscribed $4.5 million Seed round to scale its AI-powered training and productivity platform for the skilled trades.
For those who may not be familiar with that platform, Skillmaker’s AI-native workforce development technology combines automated knowledge collection with extended reality (XR) to deliver immersive, hands-on training experiences that “reduce learning time from months or years to days.” (You can read more about the platform’s origin in our early profile.)
How the raise came about
Skillmaker raised this round by bringing together a wide range of strategic investors across edtech, K-12, and higher ed, as well as impact funds, regional VCs, and strategic angels.
“There wasn’t a single lead on this one, and that was by design,” said Founding Partner and CRO Camden Weis. “We raised on a SAFE, and given the size and caliber of who came in, we’re calling it a Seed that builds on our pre-seed. It sets up our priced Series A in the first half of 2027.”
Among the investors involved are Potencia Ventures and Full Circle (impact and workforce-development funds); Lee Provost (whom Weis identified as a pioneer in K-12 software); NC State’s Wolfpack Investor Network; Workshop Ventures; IDEA Fund Partners (Juan Carlos sits on the Skillmaker board); and Richard Stroupe and Lelon Winstead, both of whom sit on the board each of whom doubled down on an initial early investment.
Traction beyond the raise
In their own official press release sharing the news, Skillmaker noted that the closing of the Seed round comes alongside a milestone that is “rare at this stage”—a product “already shipping across early deployments” and recognized by the industry’s leading standards and certification body.
Specifically, the startup has built and deployed the NAPA Autotech XcceleratoR, which Founder and CEO Robin Cowie characterized as their first white label solution, targeted within the automotive industry.
“It’s an AI-native, XR-based training and productivity platform built to solve the automotive industry’s most urgent problem: There aren’t enough skilled technicians, and the traditional path to competence takes far too long.”
The XcceleratoR takes what could previously be around two years’ worth of training and compresses it to under 30 days, bringing about a ~95% reduction in training time.
“We do it by pairing immersive training with AI-powered smart glasses, all under a single license per technician that follows them across both devices,” Cowie said. “The VR builds the foundational skills in a safe, repeatable, hands-on environment. The smart glasses then go with the technician onto the shop floor, delivering real-time, AI-guided support right at the vehicle.”
Cowie shared that Skillmaker built this product under a five-year distribution agreement with Genuine Parts Company and NAPA, as well as a two-year exclusive partnership with ASE (the industry’s certification standard).
“It’s already in the market and well-regarded,” he said. “We were named NAPA’s Auto Care Strategic Partner of the Year in 2025. A shipping product with real validation at this stage is rare, and it’s a big part of why this round came together the way it did.”
A mission to support workers
In addition to receiving validation from industry leaders, the XcceleratoR has been embraced by technicians—in large part because Skillmaker has conveyed that the technology is meant to support, rather than supplant them.
“Any time you put new technology in front of skilled tradespeople, the first reaction can be, ‘Is this here to replace me?’” Cowie explained. “Once technicians actually used it, that flipped fast. They realized it gives them agency and support, not a threat to their job.”
Noting that younger and older techs alike are recognizing a boost to their efficiency, he added, “When the people doing the work start describing your product as empowerment, you know you’re onto something.”
Weis noted that Skillmaker’s mission to support skilled workers has resonated with investors, too.
“Our investors care about the business, of course, and the business and growth trajectory are strong. But the reason the right people have come to the table is the mission. We lead with it…. Tech for a better world isn’t a tagline for us, it’s the filter we run every decision through.”
New sectors and building in Wilmington
Skillmaker’s announcement included the note that the team intends to take its platform to “other trades that keep the economy running,” having started with a close focus on the automotive repair industry.
Expanding on this intriguing tease, Cowie and Weis told us that they are in active conversations with “several large players across other sectors,” with data centers and telecommunications representing the most likely next steps.
“These are the technicians building the infrastructure that powers the new economy, including AI-driven solutions like ours, and they need to be trained fast and well, and supported in the field,” Cowie said.
They also noted that they’re receiving steady inbound interest from HVAC, plumbing, and home services.
To meet the needs that come with expanding to new sectors (as well as scaling solutions across the transportation domain), Skillmaker aims to use its influx of funds to expand the team—with a heavy emphasis on North Carolina talent and a commitment to Wilmington.
“NC-based talent is a real focus for us,” Cowie shared. “We even have leadership relocating to Wilmington to be here.”
As for why Wilmington, meanwhile, his answer was simple: because they believe in it.
“We could have planted our flag anywhere, and we’re choosing to hire local and build here on purpose. We want to prove you can build and scale a serious tech company in Wilmington, and in doing so help make North Carolina an even better place to start and grow a business.
“If we can be part of the reason the next founder decides to build here too, that’s a win we care about.”
See Skillmaker’s release here.
