Acorn raises $12.3M to reshape workforce development with AI-driven learning and performance tools
Vancouver-based company announces Series A funding and unveils software to automate capability frameworks.
Photo credit: Acorn
Acorn, a performance learning management system (PLMS) provider, has secured $12.3 million in Series A funding. The round was led by investment firm Level Equity and will support international expansion, product development, and strategic partnerships.
Founded in Vancouver, Acorn’s platform integrates learning and performance management with AI to automate the creation of personalized development plans for employees. The platform includes a library of more than 1,600 capabilities and 4,800 proficiency levels. It uses proprietary models to map job roles to core capabilities, with the goal of increasing both engagement and business alignment.
Charles Chen, partner at Level Equity, says: “Acorn is bridging the gap between learning and performance with an AI-native solution that’s both timely and differentiated. In a market saturated with many legacy technologies, Acorn’s focus on business-specific capabilities over generic skills gives organizations a clear path to measuring and driving employee impact. We’re proud to back the Acorn team as they scale a category-defining platform transforming workplace performance.”
Capabilities AI and the shift toward performance-aligned learning
Alongside the investment, Acorn has launched Capabilities AI. The new tool is designed to automate the generation of capability frameworks and development plans aligned to business objectives. According to Acorn, this process—which previously took months—can now be completed in minutes.
Blake Proberts, CEO and founder of Acorn, says: “Corporate learning has been broken for a long time now. Most organizations still aren’t showing people what they need to do in their roles. By using AI to build capability frameworks and map learning content to those capabilities within Acorn, development becomes relevant, timely, and useful. It’s how we move past tickbox training with low engagement to learning that truly drives performance.”
The company’s PLMS model, introduced in 2023, aims to replace traditional learning management systems by connecting role-specific competencies with measurable performance outcomes.
Grace Savides, senior market research analyst at G2, comments: “The HR landscape is shifting. Organizations are seeking solutions to integrate eLearning and performance management. More companies are aligning their L&D and performance initiatives to respond effectively to the ever-growing skills gap and demands for faster growth.”
