Sokanu Secures Growth Capital from USA Funds

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Company poises for the next phase of expansion as demand accelerates for a better way to find the perfect career

"There are nearly 6 million jobs in the US that can’t be filled today, yet 70% of US workers are not reaching their full potential – a problem that has significant implications for the economy and individuals alike," said Spencer Thompson, CEO, Sokanu.

Sokanu, a career discovery platform designed to help people match their natural traits, interests and abilities to specific careers, announced today that it has closed a round of growth capital with USA Funds, a nonprofit corporation that promotes student success in college and career. Sokanu will use the funds to accelerate the development of its career test and vast database of 750 career profiles.

Launched in 2012, Sokanu offers a unique psychometric test that evaluates people based on 186 traits across eight categories including personality, needs, culture, interests, and abilities. More than one hundred schools and universities are already using Sokanu, including NYU, University of Nevada, University of Texas, University of Miami, and many others.

This round of investment was led by USA Funds, an organization that supports “Completion with a Purpose,” increasing the percentage of students who finish college or other postsecondary programs, while ensuring those graduates a smoother transition from education to employment in the 21st Century global workforce.

“There’s a big difference between finding a job and finding a career,” said Spencer Thompson, CEO, Sokanu.    “There are nearly 6 million jobs in the US that can’t be filled today, yet 70% of US workers are not reaching their full potential – a problem that has significant implications for the economy and individuals alike. Sokanu is good at helping people find the intersection of where they thrive and where they are needed, and this round of funding will help us to continue developing our platform at grow our market, extending into universities across North America. In the last three years, we’ve created the most viable career test ever developed, and have succeeded in formulating partnerships with many major universities and governmental organizations. With this next round of funding, we will further our mission by continuing to help people find their ideal careers.”

Sokanu offers the most advanced and sophisticated career-matching solution ever built – all available on desktop and mobile for free. Incorporating the most recent advancements in organizational psychology and technology, the Sokanu career discovery platform consists of two primary components:

1. The Sokanu Career Test. Developed by industrial psychologists, this holistic test takes into account the career seeker’s history and goals, workplace preferences, interests, and personality traits. The test is based on real-time, predictive analysis, using sophisticated algorithms that are then matched to Sokanu’s vast career database for the best potential options.
2. The Sokanu Career Database. Sokanu’s vast database of 750 career profiles, with completely original content and videos, offers the most comprehensive, up-to-date data-driven and informative source of career info in the world.

“Sokanu’s innovative approach to career preparation aligns perfectly with USA Funds’ focus on helping students chart a more purposeful path through college to rewarding careers,” said Mark Pelesh, USA Funds executive vice president, Corporate and Business Development. “Sokanu’s technology platform is so much more effective than the traditional pen and paper bubble sheets that career-seekers and schools alike are embracing it as a better way for students to plot a career course while still in school.”

About Sokanu
Launched in 2012, Sokanu offers a career discovery platform to help the next generation of workers match their natural traits, interests and abilities to specific careers. The company’s mission is to fundamentally change the way people prepare for the workforce by helping them to find the career that is right for them and the unique path to getting there. Sokanu is already being used in more than one hundred schools and universities, including NYU, University of Nevada, University of Texas, University of Miami, and many others. Sokanu is based in Vancouver, BC and funded by top Silicon Valley, NYC and Vancouver-based angel investors in education technology, social networking and career psychology.

About USA Funds
USA Funds is a nonprofit corporation that supports Completion With a Purpose, building a more purposeful path for America’s students to and through college and on to rewarding careers and successful lives. USA Funds pursues its nonprofit mission through philanthropic activities and partnerships, policy research, and programs and services that enhance preparation for, access to and success in higher education. Learn more at http://www.usafunds.org.

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Rebecca West

Spencer Thompson
Sokanu
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