Inclusively, a startup pioneering inclusivity in the workplace, has successfully raised $13 million in a Series A funding round led by Firework Ventures, a venture capital firm based in Menlo Park, California. The St. Louis-headquartered company, founded in 2020, focuses on assisting companies in recruiting and retaining employees with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and military veterans.
The recent funding injection will be instrumental in propelling the accessibility and adoption of Inclusively’s workforce personalization product, Retain. This innovative tool aids companies in managing accommodation requests from employees with disabilities, ultimately enhancing productivity, boosting retention rates, and maximizing return on investment.
The Series A funding comes on the heels of a $4.3 million convertible note round closed by Inclusively in early January. Noteworthy participants in this funding round include existing investors such as Benson Capital, the venture arm associated with Gayle Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans.
Inclusively’s unique platform serves as a jobs marketplace designed to connect companies with diverse talents, encompassing individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and military veterans. The platform incorporates advanced software allowing job applicants to specify and identify necessary accommodations for both interviews and job roles with prospective employers.
“We believe the future of work requires solutions like Inclusively — their AI-driven workplace personalization will enable all individuals to thrive at work,” remarked Ashley Bittner, General Partner at Firework Ventures. She also expressed excitement about Inclusively broadening its offerings to support caregivers, veterans, and other communities that have been traditionally underinvested in but play crucial roles in the workforce.
Inclusively currently boasts a clientele of over 50 enterprises, including renowned names such as Delta, Pfizer, Accenture, Charles Schwab, and Edward Jones. The Series A funding positions Inclusively to further expand its impact on workforce inclusivity and innovation in the years to come.