UK-based edtech unicorn Multiverse has acquired talent intelligence platform Searchlight to assist businesses in addressing skills gaps more effectively.
Multiverse revolutionizes the intersection of work and learning by providing equitable access to economic opportunities. Through its innovative apprenticeship model, Multiverse leverages human-centered coaching, AI, and technology to deliver a learning approach that is measured, applied, guided, and equitable. The company collaborates with over 1,000 organizations to deliver training in data analytics and software engineering.
In June 2022, Multiverse raised a significant $220 million in a Series D funding round, making it the UK’s first edtech unicorn with a post-money valuation of $1.7 billion. The funding round was co-led by StepStone Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, and General Catalyst.
Searchlight, headquartered in California and founded in 2018, offers a talent intelligence platform powered by ethical AI to help organizations build high-performing teams. Its bias-free AI technology identifies top candidates, assesses applicants, and validates the quality of hires. Searchlight’s unique learning loop leverages employee outcome data to continually improve the hiring process.
Following the acquisition, Searchlight’s CEO, Kerry Wang, will serve as Director of Products, while its CTO, Anna Wang, will take on the role of Head of AI at Multiverse. The Searchlight team will lead Multiverse’s AI initiatives and integrate their talent intelligence technology into Multiverse’s platform.
Kerry Wang, Co-Founder and CEO of Searchlight, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, “By joining forces, we can apply Searchlight’s tech and expertise at scale with some of the world’s largest companies, effectively becoming the workforce development platform of the future.”
Euan Blair, Founder and CEO of Multiverse, highlighted the potential of Searchlight’s AI technology to diagnose skills needs within companies and deliver impactful solutions, emphasizing the alignment of goals between the two companies.
The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. This marks Multiverse’s second acquisition, following the purchase of Eduflow in May 2023, another Y Combinator company.
