Austin-based SchooLinks, a leading software platform providing College and Career Readiness (CCR) resources to K-12 students across the U.S., today announced an $80 million minority growth investment led by Susquehanna Growth Equity (SGE).
Additional Series B funding round investors include Stephens Group, Strada Education Network, and American Student Assistance (ASA).
This new capital infusion will enable SchooLinks to expand its suite of products and enhance its growing ecosystem, connecting K-12 students with higher education institutions and employers.
The need for comprehensive college career readiness solutions has never been more pressing. Recent data shows that only 1 in 5 high school graduates in the class of 2023 are prepared to succeed in core introductory college classes, according to an analysis of ACT scores. SchooLinks addresses this challenge through its innovative CCR platform, which engages students through assessments, gamified lessons, scholarship applications, and interactive videos. The platform is designed to help students and families navigate the post-graduation landscape with individualized roadmaps tailored to their unique skills, interests, and goals.
Founded by Katie Fang, a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, SchooLinks aims to democratize access to CCR resources for all students. Silicon Hills News profiled Schoolinks shortly after its launch in 2015.
Now operational in 40 states, the platform has become a vital tool for public school districts. It offers a modern solution that meets the specific needs of administrators, counselors, Career and Technical Education (CTE) departments, students, families, and workforce development professionals. SchooLinks is also setting a new standard for student engagement, outpacing its peers in the CCR space and addressing the country’s workforce development challenges at a deeper level.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with mission-aligned investors in this latest funding round,” Katie Fang, CEO of SchooLinks, said in a news release. “SGE brings invaluable experience in SaaS and the education industry, which will help us evolve our platform and expand our workforce solutions. This investment will enable us to extend our impact from school districts to employers, accelerating our growth and expanding our reach.”
Josh Elser, Managing Director of SGE, praised SchooLinks for redefining the CCR space. “They’ve achieved product-market fit and transformed the CCR industry in ways not seen in the past 25 years. We’re excited to support Katie and her team as they enter this next phase of growth.”
SchooLinks has seen exponential growth over the past three years, serving 15 times the number of districts and ten times the number of students since its Series A round. The platform is now recognized as one of the most reliable and innovative CCR solutions in the market, positioning itself as a crucial player in workforce development by bridging the gap between education and employment.
Ryan Morrow, Managing Director at The Stephens Group, added, “We believe SchooLinks is poised for even greater success with its commitment to product innovation and best-in-class customer service. This investment will help further solidify its status as the premier CCR platform for K-12 students.”
With this new round of funding, SchooLinks is set to expand its offerings and continue its mission of equipping students with the tools they need to succeed after graduation—whether that path leads to higher education, technical training, or direct entry into the workforce.