Upskilling platform Ivee has raised a $1m seed round backed by entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett and Social Impact Enterprises, as it expands its focus to help jobseekers get to grips with rapidly evolving AI tools.
The London-based company was cofounded in 2024 by sisters Amelia and Lydia Miller, inspired by watching their mother struggle to find work after a career break.
The pair brought their vision to BBC reality show Dragons’ Den last October, walking away with £75k worth of investment, split between Bartlett and fellow judge Deborah Meaden.
Ivee initially set out to help women re-enter the workforce, but broadened its scope after hearing from men facing similar challenges following redundancy or time taken out for caregiving. The platform, which also picked up cheques from several angel investors, has since pivoted to AI upskilling.
"Companies are investing in AI technology their workforce isn't trained to use," says CEO Amelia. "Most employees were hired long before generative AI existed, so they don't know how to use it effectively — let alone keep up with the latest tools."
Miller says that businesses are caught in an "adoption lag paradox”, in which the technology keeps improving but usage isn't keeping up. Ivee's answer is a platform that connects jobseekers with employers actively seeking returners, pairs them with a network of peers and mentors, and offers bootcamps designed to sharpen AI knowhow.
"The AI talent war is here to stay. Demand for AI-fluent workers is skyrocketing — and we've built the platform to find them," Miller adds.
