Today’s tech roundup includes funding rounds for a healthcare staff scheduling platform for both internal and external workers, background check firms and an investment by Accenture into a training provider that uses extended reality.

Kevala

Kevala announced a $12.1 million Series A funding round earlier this month.

Seattle-based Kevala is a staff scheduling platform that enables healthcare employers to schedule shifts for both internal and external agency workers, curate float pools and manage healthcare workers’ credentialing.

“The staffing crisis has made it difficult if not impossible for schedulers to keep shifts full, compliant and productive,” Co-Founder and CEO Todd Owens said. “Healthcare operators, stretched thin and unable to rely on permanent staff alone, are looking for more flexible staffing options, including agency and internal float teams.”

The Series A round was led by Cercano Management with participation from existing investors Costanoa Ventures, High Alpha and PSL Ventures.

Fama

Social media screening provider Fama this week announced a $10 million Series B funding round.

Los Angeles-based Fama’s product checks social media to get background information on candidates’ behavior and flag potential instances of intolerance and harassment. Fama says it has more than 1,500 client businesses in 32 countries, including executive search firms.

Silverton Partners led Fama’s Series B funding round alongside Bullpen Capital Crosscut, Navigate VC, Gaingels and private investors.

Yardstik

Yardstik, a background-screening company with a focus on serving gig economy and software-as-a-service companies, announced an $8 million Series A funding round earlier this month.

Plans call for the funding to support growth at the Edina, Minnesota-based company, whichgrew to 131 customers in 2021 from 38 customers in 2020. Funding will also go toward hiring of additional employees and product development.

The round was led by Grotech Ventures with participation from Great North Ventures and continued funding from existing investors Rally Ventures and Crosslink Capital.

Accenture, Talespin

Accenture announced its in investment in Talespin, a platform that delivers extended reality-based learning and training applications. Talespin’s extended reality includes 3D, virtual humans and environments to help people practice conversational skills and take part in simulated jobs with feedback and skills analytics.

Tom Lounibos, managing director of Accenture Ventures, said the need for immersive learning is clear and he believes Talespin can help address the challenge.

“Over 90% of executives who responded to a recent Accenture survey believe that their existing training methods need to be more effective and efficient,” Lounibos said. “Yet conventional approaches to training, such as instructor-led classes or online video series, are not always effective; in fact, research shows that learners forget 70% of this type of content within 24 hours and nearly 90% in a month.”

Terms of the investment were not announced.