Talespin Raises $15M to Bring Virtual Reality Into Workplace Training

by Gordon Gottsegen
March 3, 2020
Talespin
Photo: Talespin

When most people think about virtual reality or augmented reality, they think about how it’s being used in the next generation of video games. But VR and AR can be used for serious business too, particularly in the workplace.

Culver City-based startup Talespin is building virtual, augmented and extended reality solutions for the workplace. Its platform helps enterprises use XR for employee training and learning, or as a way to support job performance.

For example, one of Talespin’s simulations has the user practice managerial skills by firing a virtual worker named Barry. Other simulations help with sales and customer service training by teaching users how to cold call or handle complaints. Talespin even partnered with Farmers Insurance to help Farmers employees brush up on their interpersonal skills.

But the company is gearing up for the next step thanks to a $15 million Series B funding round announced on Tuesday. This brings its total funding raised to $20 million.

Cornerstone OnDemand, a company that helps businesses train and manage employees, led the Series B round. Cornerstone is also partnering with Talespin to develop HR products and offer Talespin’s VR learning content through the Cornerstone platform.

Talespin says it’ll also use the new funding to add more VR content and invest in research and development.

“Creating better alignment between skills and opportunities is the key to solving the reskilling challenges organizations across the world are facing,” Kyle Jackson, CEO and co-founder of Talespin, said in a statement. “That’s why it’s critical companies find a way to provide accelerated, continuous learning and create better skills data.”

He continued, “Our new funding and partnership with Cornerstone will allow us to expand our product offerings to achieve these goals and to continue building innovative solutions that redefine what work looks like in the future.”

Jobs at Talespin

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