Biz ‘Bites:’ Sage Growth Capital invests in Native English Institute Inc

Sage Growth Capital has announced its final investment from Fund I in Native English Institute (NEI). Its
clients are major Japanese corporations concentrated in pharmaceuticals, IT and banking, according to the announcement.

“The support from Sage Growth Capital helps us to make an impact faster in a world where confident communication in English is critically important for businesses,” Native English Institute Founder Frith Maier said in a statement.

These companies rely on NEI to train their employees in effective spoken English in each learner’s area of expertise. The approach is to transform language learning through a data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing solution.

“We are pleased to make this investment in an exciting company that is using technology to improve teaching techniques,” Sage Growth Capital Managing Partner Denise Dunlap stated in the announcement. “We are honored to be a partner in their continued growth. ”

HappyNest expands to Boise

HappyNest, a tech-enabled laundry pickup and delivery service, has expanded into Boise through a partnership with laundromat Rave Laundry. The Boise-based facility touts providing next-day, affordable and eco-friendly pickup and delivery laundry services to residents and businesses in Ada County, including Garden City.

Residents and businesses use the HappyNest consumer-friendly mobile app to easily auto-schedule pickup and delivery each week or on an as-needed basis, the announcement stated. Customers drop their dirty clothes, towels, and/or bedding in a laundry bag outside their door or other arranged location for pickup. HappyNest returns it all clean and folded the next day.

“We are seeing a significant need for pickup and delivery laundry services in Boise, and we love what HappyNest is providing for their partners,” said Bre Cohen, marketing manager at Rave Laundry, in a statement. “Partnering with HappyNest was an easy decision for us.”

The new Boise location is now accepting customer sign ups.

“As we continue to expand throughout the U.S., we are always excited to launch in new states, this time in Idaho,” John MacKrell, CEO and founder of HappyNest, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with Rave Laundry in building their pickup and delivery business throughout Boise and bringing the convenience of HappyNest next-day pickup and delivery services to residents and business in this beautiful area of the country.”

Department of Labor adds mobile locations

The Idaho Department of Labor has announced it has added mobile locations in Grangeville, Kamiah, Kendrick, Moscow, Potlatch, Orofino, Riggins and Weippe. These locations assist with writing resumes, filling out job applications, preparing for an interview, accessing job training resources, filing for unemployment insurance benefits and other services. Business services include support for listing jobs, recruiting employees, organizing hiring events, employer seminars and gaining access to job training programs.

Three local office employees from the Lewiston Idaho Department of Labor office visit Kendrick, Moscow and Potlatch, the announcement stated. The remaining five offices are managed by Monica Jones and Heather Lerandeau. Together, they deliver a wide range of employment services to local job seekers and employers in Orofino, Weippe, Grangeville, Kamiah and Riggins, which opens April 14.