Medley Raises $3.7M to Revolutionize Coaching | a16z

Medley Secures $3.7 Million Seed Funding

Medley, a group coaching platform dedicated to personal and professional growth, has announced the completion of a $3.7 million seed funding round. The investment was spearheaded by a16z today.

Investment Details

Connie Chan and Anne Lee Skates from Andreessen Horowitz guided the funding round. Additional participants included Aglaé Ventures, Foundation Capital, Ciara Wilson, Jen Rubio, Dara Treseder (Peloton), and Sanyin Siang (Duke University).

The Founding Vision

Medley was co-founded by Edith Cooper and Jordan Taylor, a mother-daughter team. They firmly believe that an individual’s personal and professional development are deeply interconnected.

The platform initially launched in July 2020. Its primary aim was to facilitate focused discussions within small groups, guided by a professional development coach.

Prioritizing Diversity and Inclusion

Groups are intentionally curated to promote diversity and inclusion. This involves representing a wide range of age groups, genders, ethnicities, and backgrounds within each cohort.

Medley emphasizes accessibility, offering a membership with an opportunity-based sliding scale for the annual fee.

Introducing Medley Moments

Alongside this funding announcement, Medley is preparing to launch Medley Moments in the coming months.

These are focused courses designed to help members achieve specific objectives. Jordan Taylor cited examples such as navigating new parenthood, developing leadership skills, managing relocation, and making career transitions.

Evolving Needs and Employer Support

“When we initially launched, there was growing awareness of the importance of understanding different perspectives,” stated Edith Cooper. “Now, this understanding is central to what people seek in group participation.”

“There’s also a rising expectation that employers genuinely care for their employees and offer resources that benefit them as individuals, not just in a tactical work context.”

Expanding into the B2B Sector

Based on these insights and a successful pilot program with LinkedIn, Medley is exploring B2B opportunities. This includes offering programs to larger organizations for their employees’ benefit.

LinkedIn Partnership Growth

The LinkedIn pilot program achieved a remarkable 99% Net Promoter Score (NPS). Consequently, the professional networking platform will be expanding this partnership in 2022.

Focus on Talent Acquisition

The new funding will support hiring efforts at Medley this year. Edith Cooper, who serves on the boards of companies like Amazon and PepsiCo, highlighted attracting and retaining top talent as a significant challenge.

“The most rewarding aspect of entrepreneurship is collaborating with individuals who inspire me, from whom I learn, and with whom I genuinely enjoy working,” said Jordan Taylor. “Building a team with a continuous learning mindset, alongside Edith, is a challenge I am truly grateful for.”