AI Skills Verification Platform NextWork Raises $4.45M

The $4.45M seed round for NextWork was led by Shakti VC, with participation from Cake Ventures, GD1 VC, Blackbird Ventures, and others. The company, founded by Amber Winton, will use the funds to expand its US presence, establishing Austin, TX as its headquarters, and to scale the platform through engineering and growth hiring. NextWork's platform is designed to bridge the AI skills gap by allowing users to build practical AI projects, such as chatbots and automated workflows, and then publish them in a "proof-of-work" portfolio. Since launching in 2024, over 190,000 users in more than 190 countries have used the platform. The primary users are professionals between 25-35 looking for career advancement. The platform's focus on demonstrable skills aligns with a growing demand for practical AI expertise. Reports from early 2026 show that demand for AI-related skills has more than doubled year-over-year, with the fastest growth in areas like AI video generation, AI integration, and automation engineering. This has created a tight hiring market, with many tech leaders finding it more complex to hire for AI and machine learning roles. For engineers in NYC, the AI startup scene is a significant source of opportunity. The city's access to major financial, media, and healthcare institutions has fueled a surge in enterprise AI startups. Companies like Hebbia (AI for finance and legal), EliseAI (conversational AI for real estate and health), and Dataminr are actively hiring for roles like Machine Learning Engineer and AI Product Manager. Early-stage fundraising in the AI sector remains active, with VCs looking for founders who can demonstrate not just technical depth but also a clear path to a multi-billion dollar outcome. NYC-based firms like Insight Partners and Thrive Capital are major players in AI investment. Technical founders are advised to focus their pitch on a compelling narrative, clearly articulating the problem, the "why now," and their unique advantage. For those building consumer or social apps, user acquisition is a critical focus. Successful strategies often involve a mix of organic efforts like App Store Optimization (ASO) and paid campaigns on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. A key is to drive high-quality users who are more likely to engage and convert, rather than just maximizing install numbers. Indie hackers and those building on the side often find success by focusing on niche vertical SaaS opportunities. This involves identifying specific industry pain points and building targeted solutions. The emphasis on "proof-of-work" is a core principle for this path, validating ideas through small, shippable projects before seeking larger funding rounds. Personal productivity is paramount for engineers balancing a full-time job with a side project. Ruthless prioritization and leveraging automation tools for personal workflows are common tactics. The journey often starts with a single, well-defined project that solves a personal pain point, which then can be expanded into a larger business.