NextStep

About NextStep

NextStep Interactive operates as a workforce development and job placement company specifically targeting the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) crisis in the United States healthcare sector. The company was co-founded in 2018 by CEO Chris Hedrick and Charissa Raynor, spinning out of the Seattle-based startup studio Pioneer Square Labs. Hedrick brings a diverse background to the venture, having previously served as CEO of the learning technology firm Intrepid Learning Solutions, led a higher education program in Rwanda, and directed the U.S. Peace Corps efforts in Senegal. Raynor is a healthcare industry veteran who formerly led the development of a large home care training initiative as the executive director of The Benefits Group. The founders were reconnected with the idea of retraining workers displaced by automation for crucial roles in the growing, yet understaffed, healthcare industry.

The company's core business involves recruiting, training, and placing workers in high-demand, entry-level healthcare jobs, with a primary focus on CNAs. NextStep's platform provides training through mobile-first courses delivered in short, 10-15 minute modules, making it accessible for workers looking to transition from other industries. Upon completion, graduates receive an industry-recognized certification and are algorithmically matched with employer partners, which include long-term care facilities. The business model addresses both sides of the market: it offers a career pathway for displaced workers and provides healthcare employers with a vetted pipeline of qualified talent.

A key service differentiator is the post-placement support system. For the first 90 days on the job, placed CNAs receive mentorship, access to skill refresher videos, and other resources. Concurrently, NextStep conducts regular turnover risk assessments with these new hires. Employer partners are alerted if a CNA shows signs of struggling, a feature designed to reduce churn and improve job satisfaction in a field known for high turnover. In 2023, the NextStep learning platform and its nursing assistant training content were acquired by CareAcademy, a company specializing in caregiver training, to be integrated into its own offerings. Over its active years, NextStep raised approximately $15.5 million through several funding rounds from investors including JAZZ Venture Partners, Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures, and Pioneer Square Labs.