Florence, a UK-based startup that provides temporary staff in the social care sector, has raised $35 million in a Series B funding round from Axa Venture Partners, Root Capital, and SEEK Investments.
Founded in 2017 by Charles Armitage and Dan Blake, Florence connects local nurses and caregivers looking for extra work with vacant positions in care homes. The company aims to make the lives of nurses more manageable, profitable, and to address the shortage of healthcare personnel by eliminating intermediaries and giving healthcare workers direct access to open shifts.
This funding round allows Florence to expand its offering beyond elderly care services. The startup, which currently operates in the UK, plans to use the funds to expand its services geographically and further develop its technology platform.
Axa Venture Partners, one of the investors in this latest funding round, is the venture capital arm of French insurance company, Axa Group. Founded in 2015, Axa Venture Partners invests in companies across different stages, from early-stage to growth-stage, and has a portfolio of more than 50 companies.
Root Capital, another investor in the funding round, is a US-based nonprofit social investment fund that provides loans, training, and financial management advice to small and growing businesses in developing countries.
SEEK Investments, the third investor in the funding round, is the corporate venture capital arm of SEEK, an Australian-based online employment marketplace. SEEK operates in over 20 countries and has a portfolio of over 150 investments in startups and early-stage companies.
Overall, this funding round is expected to help Florence expand its services and continue its mission to revolutionize the social care workforce.
