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Achieve Partners Launches a $450 Million Fund

Achieve Partners has recently unveiled its second workforce fund, Achieve Partners Workforce II, which has successfully closed with a total of $450 million. This initiative aims to tackle the disruptions caused by artificial intelligence (AI) in the labor market, focusing on the rapid transformation of industries seeking skilled workers.

Financed by prominent institutions such as Cambridge Associates, JP Morgan Asset Management, and Prudential, among others, this new fund is more than double the size of its predecessor, Achieve Partners Workforce I. This expansion marks a strategic effort to elevate apprenticeship programs within segments of the economy that are experiencing a talent shortage.

Tyler Jayroe, a Portfolio Manager at J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Private Equity Group, expressed the potential impact of this partnership, noting, “Achieve is proving that private capital—paired with an innovative approach to talent—can drive meaningful economic mobility for American workers while delivering strong returns for investors.” This sentiment captures the essence of the fund's dual objectives: to generate returns while addressing the workforce challenges of today's economy.

As we witness the rapid evolution of the global economy due to AI, many traditional roles are being redefined, and new job categories are emerging—leading to an urgent demand for workers equipped with AI-ready skills. Achieve Partners’ model focuses on evolving its portfolio companies into centers of excellence for cultivating new AI talent, ensuring they can successfully integrate technology into their operations.

The first iteration of the fund, Achieve Workforce I, has already demonstrated a successful return on investment, ranking in the top quartile across various metrics in the Cambridge Associates U.S. Buyouts benchmark as of September 30, 2025. Furthermore, it also achieved impressive results, including three successful exits, one being the recent sale of Optimum Healthcare IT to Infosys for $465 million.

Daniel Pianko, co-founder of Achieve Partners, notes, “Throughout history, every technological revolution has created more jobs. While AI will cause immense disruption, it will also reward companies that can effectively deploy talent to succeed in a technology-enabled environment.” He highlights the pivotal role of creating AI-ready workforces aiming for both company and national economic success.

At the crux of Achieve Partners’ strategy is the apprenticeship model, which allows individuals to earn while they learn. This model reportedly yields a 144% return on investment for businesses, as per the U.S. Department of Labor. With the new fund, Achieve plans to deploy capital across high-growth industries facing a talent crunch, including behavioral health, biotech, cloud migration, data centers, and energy—intending to scale apprenticeship programs in each company they acquire.

Ryan Craig, another co-founder of Achieve Partners and author of works like Apprentice Nation, emphasizes a shift in perspective by asking, “How do you build the talent that makes technology actually work?” He posits that while AI tools offer transformative potential, they cannot function to their full capabilities without skilled personnel to manage and innovate upon them. Investing in human talent is essential, not solely for the benefit of companies but also for the overarching health of the U.S. economy.

Samuel Rundle, Head of Financial Markets Investments at Ingka, remarked on the necessity for innovative projects that enhance life quality. He supports Achieve’s approach, affirming that their focus on apprenticeships presents a robust method for talent development, especially amid the ongoing AI transformation.

About Achieve Partners
Achieve Partners is dedicated to shaping the future of work through strategic investments in innovative technologies and business models designed to advance skill development. By embracing digital transformation, Achieve aims to create fresh opportunities for learning and employment, contributing to improved socioeconomic mobility and revitalizing the American Dream.

For more information, visit Achieve Partners.