As a result of the pandemic, a vast number of individuals chose to leave traditional employment and take a chance on themselves, leading to what has now become known as “The Great Resignation.” This term is not merely a coined phrase, as studies have demonstrated that many people who did not leave their jobs are still considering doing so. For instance, a poll conducted by LinkedIn, which surveyed 2,000 workers, revealed that almost three-quarters of Gen Zers and two-thirds of millennials are considering resigning this year. Even older generations are not exempt from this trend, with 55% of Gen Xers and a third of Baby Boomers also contemplating resignations.
Meeting the needs of this emerging group of ambitious entrepreneurs requires providing them with both the resources and support they need to launch and grow their businesses. This includes offering access to established CEOs as mentors, connecting them with a community of like-minded founders, and equipping them with all the necessary content and tools to launch and fund their ventures.
Co-founded by Ranbir Arora and Taras Polik in 2012, Oneday, a London-based edtech startup, is paving the way for aspiring entrepreneurs by creating the first formal education system specifically designed for entrepreneurship. This innovative platform is not only guiding individuals towards achieving their passions but also helping them transform their ideas into a profitable, revenue-generating businesses. Now the edtech has announced to have scored $6.2 million in Series A funding round.
Ananda Impact Ventures, which has previously invested in OroraTech, and Brighteye Ventures, an edtech VC that has invested in Sdui and HackTheBox, were among the investors in the latest funding round for the company. Outward VC, Flint Capital, and Sparkmind.vc also participated in this round, bringing the total amount raised by the company to $10.2 million. In a seed funding round last year, the company raised £2.5 million, which was also co-led by Brighteye VC and Outward VC.
AI-driven MBA
The recent investment secured by Oneday will be utilised to introduce an accredited MBA program. This launch is taking place during a time of transition in the business landscape, which is being brought about by the rapid advancements in AI that are heralding the onset of the next industrial revolution.
Oneday’s decision to introduce this program is particularly significant considering that more than a quarter of Britons believe that AI technology and chatbots such as ChatGPT will impact their jobs over the next five to ten years. It has been projected that AI could displace up to 300 million jobs in the future.
Ranbir Arora, founder and CEO of Oneday said, “Following a successful fundraise of $6.2 million, we are hugely excited to launch our new MBA programme, which is just the first step in creating a broader education system around entrepreneurship. It’s clear to see that AI is fundamentally taking over routine knowledge work jobs, and at Oneday, we see this as an exciting opportunity to reposition our society into solving new problems for humanity through creating new businesses, instead of teaching students how to do things we already know how to do.”
Benoit Wirz, Founding Partner of Brighteye Ventures said, “Formal education is too often theoretical, detached from the real world. Oneday breaks that mould by offering the first-ever practical degree in entrepreneurship. This isn’t just about studying textbooks and passing exams. It’s about hands-on training and building as you go, fostering a mindset of innovation and resilience. We’re proud to back Oneday as they pave the way for a new era of practical, impactful learning.”
Johannes Weber, General Partner at Ananda Impact Ventures said, “Accessible, practically-oriented entrepreneurial education holds the key to unlocking individual financial independence, driving economic growth, and fostering innovation. With Oneday, this opportunity becomes accessible to all. We are delighted to be actively involved in this transformative endeavour.”
Entrepreneurial education for the 21st century
Oneday is an edtech platform that is disrupting the conventional higher education sector in the UK by developing a formal education system around entrepreneurship. In recognition of the growing number of individuals opting for entrepreneurship, self-employment, and the creator economy over traditional corporate jobs, Oneday believes that there is a pressing need for a new type of education.
The company’s goal is to reimagine education for the 21st century, where knowledge-based jobs are increasingly being replaced by AI, rendering rote memorisation and essay writing less relevant. Unlike traditional education systems, Oneday places a strong emphasis on providing practical, hands-on experience that prepares aspiring entrepreneurs for the challenges and opportunities presented by the modern business environment.
To date, over 2,000 students have already launched their businesses through Oneday’s platform, which enables them to earn an accredited MBA degree while simultaneously building a profitable, revenue-generating enterprise.
