Laying the groundwork for Modal, Darren Shimkus former president of Udemy, several years ago, engaged in a dialogue with Dennis Yang regarding skill development.
Shimkus perceived skill building within the corporate sphere as a challenging yet solvable issue, one potentially remedied with appropriate technology. This notion was shared with Yang, then CEO of Udemy.
“At Udemy, Yang and I addressed the ‘access’ hurdle to learning — enabling anyone within any organization to access high-quality video content on desired skills,” Shimkus explained to TechCrunch. “However, merely addressing access to video content proved insufficient.”
This exchange eventually led to the inception of a new startup: Modal.
Revolutionizing Skills Training: The Modal Approach
Modal offers personalized technical skills training for corporate teams, delivering on-demand coaching and employing a pedagogical model that organizes users into semi-structured online learning communities.
“Our platform evaluates each team member, identifies skill gaps, and tailors a customized plan to mitigate the ‘skill risk’ enterprises encounter in achieving their strategic objectives,” Shimkus elaborated. “We accommodate various goals, including modernization initiatives, digital transformation, and the onboarding of newly acquired employees.”
While the upskilling market is competitive, with players like GrowthSpace, Learnsoft, Pollen, Scaler, and Workera, Modal aims to stand out through strategic focus and application-oriented learning.
Strategic Differentiation: Data, AI, and Real-World Application
Modal strategically focuses on emerging trends such as data and AI. Initially, their e-learning courses center exclusively around these areas, aligning with current market demands.
“The rise of AI is bringing more visibility to data teams than ever before,” Shimkus observed. “Expectations are high, driving the urgent need for rapid AI capability development, broad technical acumen, and enhanced business skills within teams.”
Additionally, Modal emphasizes real-world application. Coaches assist learners in contextualizing key concepts as they progress through courses, setting Modal apart from traditional e-learning platforms.
This emphasis on practicality resonates well with clients. Modal, adopting a unique pricing model charging companies only upon course completion, boasts over 100 clients, primarily from the Fortune 1000.
Modal recently secured $25 million in funding led by Left Lane Capital, totaling $32 million raised. The company plans to expand its team to meet growing demand and extend its offerings worldwide.
Shimkus concludes, “Modal is tailored for today’s ever-changing workplace landscape, where predicting and improving team skills is challenging. As the need for upskilling intensifies, we’re positioned to help companies transform their teams and businesses effectively.”
