Interplay Learning

Interplay Learning operates as a specialized software company delivering online training solutions for the skilled trades. Founded in 2016 by Doug Donovan and Stephen Quirk, the Austin-based firm aims to address the significant skills gap in sectors such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, solar, and facilities maintenance. CEO Doug Donovan, who holds an MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business, brought prior entrepreneurial experience from founding two other software companies and a ski area, identifying a need to apply modern educational technology to hands-on professions.

The company's core offering is a subscription-based platform, SkillMill, which provides immersive and interactive training through 3D and virtual reality (VR) simulations. This approach allows technicians to engage in realistic, hands-on practice in a safe and controlled environment, accessible anytime on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and VR headsets. The platform is designed to accelerate skill acquisition, enabling workers to become job-ready in weeks rather than years. The content, which Interplay develops in-house using a proprietary authoring engine, covers a range of activities from installation and diagnostics to preventive maintenance. Revenue is generated through tiered subscription plans for individuals, teams, and large enterprises, with custom pricing based on team size and needs.

Interplay Learning serves a diverse client base that includes individuals, educational institutions, unions, and businesses ranging from small operations to large enterprises with thousands of technicians. Corporate clients like Carrier, Rheem, and Goodman leverage the platform to onboard new hires, upskill their existing workforce, and reduce service callbacks. The firm has seen substantial growth, reporting a 300% year-over-year sales increase in 2020 and a 445% rise in customer usage. To fuel its expansion, Interplay has secured significant funding, including a $18 million Series B round in 2021 and a $20 million Series C round in 2024, bringing its total funding to over $47 million. In September 2024, the company also acquired Industrial Training International (ITI) to broaden its specialized industrial learning solutions.

Keywords: skilled trades training, virtual reality training, 3D simulation, HVAC training, plumbing training, electrical training, facilities maintenance training, edtech, workforce development, online learning platform, corporate training solutions, Doug Donovan, SkillMill, VR simulation, career development, upskilling, technical skills, hands-on learning, enterprise training, maintenance technician training