This could be a historic year for female-led companies that have achieved $1 billion valuations. The education software startup Guild Education announced today the close of its $157 million Series D round, making it one of the few female-led companies to join the elusive unicorn club this year.
The funding round was led by former American Express CEO Ken Chenault through the venture firm General Catalyst, and was joined by Laurene Powell Jobs’ Emerson Collective, Iconiq Capital and Lead Edge Capital. Founded in 2015 by Stanford University graduates Brittany Stitch and Rachel Carlson, Guild connects employers to online programs offered by nearly a dozen universities—among them, Purdue Global, Southern New Hampshire University and the University of Central Florida. Some of the partner employers include Chipotle, Walmart, Lowe’s and the Walt Disney Co.
Guild works with employers to offer education as a company benefit to those employees who don’t yet have an advanced degree. Employees gain access to various education programs, including trade diplomas, certificates, high school completion programs, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. About 400,000 working adults have used Guild’s program to date.
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