# Paragon One

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/paragon-one

- Industry: Education/Training
- Headquarters: New York, US
- Total disclosed funding: $1.9M
- Latest round: Seed (May 25, 2017)
- Investors on record: 6

## About

Founded in 2015 by Byron Hsu and Matt Wilkerson, Paragon One operates out of New York, US. The company specializes in remote externships, which allow students to engage in professional projects across diverse fields. In May 2017, Paragon One successfully raised USD 1.9 mn in a Seed funding round with backing from prominent investors such as Altair Capital, Foundation Capital, Learn Capital, Liyuan Venture Capital, University Ventures, and Y Combinator. This funding marked its only funding round to date, bringing the total amount raised to USD 1.9 mn.

Paragon One offers a unique platform for remote externships, primarily focused on providing students with professional experiences that bridge the gap between academic training and real-world application. Their core offerings include structured externships in various fields such as consumer insights, market analysis, and venture capital, designed in collaboration with established brands like Beats by Dre. The externships typically span eight weeks and provide students with hands-on projects where they learn to conduct consumer behavior analysis, develop surveys, and utilize AI tools for data-driven decision-making. The end users of these services are primarily college students and recent graduates seeking valuable work experience across diverse industries, including tech, consumer goods, and consulting. Paragon One’s programs currently cater to students in the United States, with plans to broaden access to individuals from different academic backgrounds and geographical regions.

Paragon One generates revenue through its structured externship programs, which involve agreements with corporate partners for project-based work that students undertake during their tenure. These partnerships allow corporations to engage students for specific projects, thereby enhancing their workforce while providing valuable training for participants. The pricing model for these services involves fees paid by corporate partners for each externship program conducted, reflecting the value of the insights and deliverables produced by the students. By connecting students with industry professionals, Paragon One fosters a mutually beneficial ecosystem that enhances skill development and opens career opportunities.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, May 25, 2017, $1.9M — Foundation Capital, University Ventures, Y Combinator, Learn Capital, Altair Capital, Liyuan Venture Capital

## Investors

- Foundation Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/foundation-capital) — Seed
- University Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/university-ventures) — Seed
- Y Combinator (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/y-combinator) — Seed
- Learn Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/learn-capital) — Seed
- Altair Capital — Seed
- Liyuan Venture Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/liyuan-venture-capital) — Seed