The UK edtech unicorn Multiverse, which builds apprenticeship programs, has acquired Searchlight, a talent intelligence and skills assessment platform that uses AI to help companies close their skills gaps.

California-based Searchlight was founded in 2018 by twins Anna Wang and Kerry Wang. The Stanford graduates started their journey with Y Combinator, and have since been recognized by Forbes 30 under 30. The company also received investment from top venture capital firms including Founders Fund and Accel.

Accelerating AI implementation at Multiverse

The combination of Searchlight’s technology and talent will accelerate the use of generative AI and machine learning at Multiverse. Searchlight’s custom-built and bias-free AI engine will enhance Multiverse’s ability to identify, analyze, and close skills gaps within organizations through programs that are closely mapped to customer business needs, the company stated. 

Multiverse partners with more than 1,000 organizations to deliver training in areas such as data analytics and software engineering. Its training model is built on a new kind of apprenticeship that is measured, applied, guided, and equitable, and its tech platforms exist to ensure learners have access to a high-quality, personalized experience that delivers measured ROI for their employers.

Searchlight is the second acquisition for the company, following the purchase of Eduflow, another Y Combinator company, in May 2023.

The Searchlight team will join Multiverse to spearhead the integration of its talent intelligence technology into Multiverse’s platform and lead Multiverse’s AI initiatives. Searchlight’s CEO, Kerry Wang will become Director of Product. Searchlight’s CTO, Anna Wang, will become Head of AI.

Founder and CEO of Multiverse, Euan Blair, said: “After meeting Anna and Kerry and digging into the Searchlight product, I was really excited at how they were using AI to spot patterns and identify skilling solutions both within and outside of the workforce. Most companies are on a journey of tech transformation and they want to do it in a way that is both equitable and effective. What often holds them back is the gap between the transformation they want to see, and the skills that will unlock it.” 

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Accenture announced that it will be acquiring Udacity, a digital education pioneer with expertise in the development and delivery of proprietary technology courses. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Udacity’s team of more than 230 professionals will join Accenture LearnVantage, a new service that provides the company’s clients with technology learning and training services to reskill and upskill their people in technology, data and AI. The acquisition is part of Accenture’s larger effort to invest $1 billion in LearnVantage over next three years. It comes at a time when the demand for technology skill development has risen, especially around AI and generative AI.

With the new investment and acquisition, Accenture is tapping into the growing need for developing the right tech skills in the industry. An Accenture research points out that business leaders consider inability to upskill their workforces as the No. 1 challenge, with 51% of organizations starting to see negative impacts from worsening IT skills shortages.

The acquisition will bring to Accenture Udacity’s capabilities in integrating proprietary content, expert services and scalable learning technology while seamlessly bridging the gap between online education and workplace relevance, the company stated. 

Since its founding in 2011, Udacity has evolved from primarily consumer-focused to a talent transformation platform bringing customer value creation through career development in AI and tech. Through its network of more than 1,400 experts and a vast library of exclusive content co-created with industry leaders, Udacity has served more than 21 million registered learners in 195 countries, providing localized course offerings in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Korean and Spanish. In a crowded market, Udacity has differentiated itself through its combination of high-quality content and ‘human in the loop’ learning, coupled with an outcome-focused approach.

“The rise of generative AI represents one of the most transformative changes in how work gets done and is driving a growing need for enterprises to train and upskill people in cloud, data and AI as they build their digital core and reinvent their enterprises,” said Kishore Durg, global lead of Accenture LearnVantage. 

“As we join forces with Accenture, we are thrilled to embark on this next chapter of our journey. Together, we are dedicated to delivering impactful and cutting-edge tech education that enables individuals and organizations to unlock their potential,” said Kai Roemmelt, CEO of Udacity. “

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