Aptem (MWS Technology Ltd) has secured over £3m investment at a £33m valuation to evolve and expand its portfolio of EdTech products

Aptem (MWS Technology Ltd), the market-leading SaaS software provider for apprenticeships, vocational training and employability, has secured additional funding from long-term investors 24Haymarket and Guinness Ventures.

This funding round led by 24Haymarket will enable Aptem to continue to meet the technology needs of the rapidly expanding skills sector. Increasing numbers of learners embarking on higher level apprenticeships, coupled with the much-needed agenda to fill skills-gaps through vocational training continue to present exciting technology opportunities. The nature of Aptem’s products, and capabilities within the team, have set the business up well to respond to market challenges and new market opportunities.

Aptem supports nearly 200 training providers, universities and colleges across the UK. Over 100,000 learners and jobseekers use the products daily. The team comprises over 100 people, with 65% of its resource dedicated to product and engineering.

Founded as MyWorkSearch in 2010 to provide a scalable technology solution addressing unemployment following the financial crash, Aptem has since developed both employability and vocational training products. It launched the market-leading apprenticeship delivery system Aptem Apprentice in 2016 in response to the Apprenticeship Levy, opening up a new technology category for end-to-end SaaS solutions. There followed Aptem Skills to support the delivery of AEB training, Traineeships and Bootcamps, and Aptem Enrol for colleges to solve the issue of onboarding high volumes of students. Aptem continues to develop its portfolio with exciting new launches planned in Q4 2022.

Jamie Dunnett at 24Haymarket explains why they led this round of investment. “The company has performed very strongly since we first invested in 2019 and we are delighted to be able to invest again at this juncture. Our view is that vocational training has a very important role to play in upskilling/ reskilling the workforce to bridge the UK’s skills gap. Aptem has established itself as a key player in this market; we look forward to watching the team grow the customer base and further develop Aptem’s functionality to deliver the next phase of growth!”

Shane Gallwey at Guinness Ventures concurs, “Aptem continues to represent an excellent investment. We have been involved with the organisation since 2018 and they have dominated the apprenticeship technology market space. The Aptem team has the skills, capability and resource to continue to develop their market leading products with great vision and drive. In addition, there are a number of exciting new areas they are exploring that will continue to benefit existing customers and open up new markets”.

Richard Alberg, CEO of Aptem says “this investment by 24Haymarket and Guinness Ventures, both of whom have been long-term investors, partners and supporters of Aptem, is proof that we’re going in the right direction. These forward-thinking investors think our model and execution represent a real opportunity to support how vocational training and employability programmes are delivered and optimised using technology.
“The pace of change within the vocational training sector in particular has been rapid. These are exciting times for Aptem and the customers we serve. Thank you to everyone who has helped us in our journey so far. This investment helps to ensure the resources to push forward and continue to deliver on our vision.”

About MWS Technology Ltd:
Aptem was created to produce innovative technology products that support the delivery of complex, regulated skills and employability programmes. The company has a simple mission – to develop technology that helps people find rewarding work and enables them to equip themselves with the skills they need to progress. There are currently four products in the Aptem portfolio with others to follow in Q4 2022.

About 24Haymarket:
Headquartered in London and with a regional office in Edinburgh, 24Haymarket follows a strict investment thesis with a focus on verticals in the nascent stages of high growth where they are able to leverage proprietary insight from their Investor Network. 24Haymarket focuses on early-stage equity investments in companies that have demonstrated initial commercial traction. It adheres to an active investment philosophy with an involved post-investment model.
www.24haymarket.com

About Guinness Ventures:
Guinness Ventures is part of Guinness Asset Management, a London-based specialist fund management company, established in 2003.  Guinness manages over £4 billion for institutional and retail investors, investing in public and private companies.  Guinness Ventures is a leading EIS Investor, who since 2010 has raised and invested over £200 million into more than 100 companies. A generalist investor with an ethical focus, several of the fastest growing companies in the UK are held in their EIS portfolio.
www.guinnessgi.com/ventures