Humly, a Swedish education technology company, has announced that it has received funding from Alfvén & Didrikson and Viking Venture. While the amount of money is unknown, this financial support will likely propel Humly’s quick expansion in its present markets. The startup is actively addressing the teacher shortage issue in Sweden and the United Kingdom, with locations including Fareham, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Newcastle.
The Company’s priority with this fundraising will be expanding further within the UK market through mergers and acquisitions, boosting network effects, and reinforcing the market. Its strategy will remain focused on continuous innovation and improving the user experience.
Humly, which began operations in 2015, is a marketplace for substitute teachers that serves both the private and public educational sectors. The platform has the honour of helping over 3,000 schools and preschools with their supply staffing needs. It allows the school and the teacher to function in a modern, user-friendly interface. It swiftly facilitates flexible employment for supply instructors and high-quality teachers for schools to cover the demand that emerges when regular teachers are away. Humly Group consists of Humly, Simply Supply, Supply Teaching, and Eyears. The startup covers most of the English market and provides supply teachers to nurseries and primary and secondary schools.
Speaking about the Company, Chief Executive Officer of Humly, Gustav Bild-Tofftin, said:
Humly is in the business of empowering educators, affording them the liberty to choose their work hours, locations, and load. Our digital platform is making this autonomy a reality.
Bild-Tofftin added:
By 2030, the void of a teacher may haunt as many as 69 million classrooms and nurseries. Yet, a single push of a button on our platform can pave the way for educators to find and seize jobs that echo their calling. This investment is the fuel propelling us on this ambitious journey.
The investment from Alfvén & Didrikson and Viking Venture underscores their commitment to driving innovation and positive transformation within the educational industry.
Commenting on the fundraising, Maria Åhr, Partner at Alfvén & Didrikson, said:
We are impressed with Humly’s efficient marketplace and how closely they work with their customers to create a long-lasting and healthy business. It is a dedicated and humble team that we look forward to working with. The opportunities are enormous, and Alfvén & Didrikson’s experience from scaling growth companies internationally with existing investor Viking Ventures’ long software expertise is a good match with the Company’s needs going forward.
Meanwhile, Viking Venture, the leading investor in Humly, specialises in helping B2B software companies grow. The Company has a community of over 20 companies that share knowledge, ideas, and experiences.
Eivind Bergsmyr, Partner, Viking Venture & Chairman of the board of Humly, commented:
It’s been a great pleasure to work closely with founders Gustav Bild-Tofftin and Kristoffer Persson and the rest of the great Humly team and follow their growth journey so far,” says Eivind Bergsmyr, partner at Viking Venture and chairman of the board of Humly. Introducing A&D as a co-investor strengthens the team and proves that Humly is on the right path forward.
