June 25, 2021
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The use of paper-based manuals in factories may be a thing of the past. Poka, an EdTech platform built specifically for manufacturing companies, seeks to improve training and collaboration in factories by offering an online hub for operational knowledge. To access this hub, Poka users simply scan a QR code with a tablet to gain immediate access to digital manuals, training videos, and helpful posts from colleagues. This “Facebook for factories” recently secured $30 million in an all-equity series B financing round led by 40 North Ventures and is looking to position itself as the ultimate tool for manufacturing productivity.
This fresh capital comes at a time when the manufacturing sector is facing a number of challenges. In a recent study from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute, 77% of the manufacturers surveyed expect to face ongoing difficulties attracting and retaining workers in the years the come. In this context of workforce volatility, it is unsurprising that Poka saw demand skyrocket over the past year with its user base growing 115 percent. The company hopes to help its clients, both old and new, overcome these continuing challenges by providing a service that allows factory workers to learn, develop new skills, and solve problems both efficiently and autonomously.
Poka has big plans for its recent investment. With the help of the new capital, the startup is looking to strengthen its product development capabilities and improve its go-to-market strategy. Further, the company wants to develop new ways to better serve its existing clients, while also growing its client base. This base already includes companies such as Nestlé, Kraft, and Danone. Finally, Poka wants to grow its team from 105 employees to nearly 250 by the end of 2022.
Currently, Poka is available in 30 countries and 20 languages. As the industrial skills crisis continues, the EdTech platform will likely find itself expanding even further across the globe.
Author: Jennifer Linde
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