National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency established in 1950 and based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is dedicated to supporting research and education in science and engineering across a wide range of disciplines. The NSF provides significant non-dilutive funding, up to $1.5 million, to startups and small businesses through its America's Seed Fund initiative, which is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program mandated by Congress. With an operating budget of approximately $7.8 billion, the NSF is committed to advancing fundamental research and education, thus fostering innovation and technological development in the United States.

James Donlon

Program Director

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Child Care

Kentucky Community and Technical College System

Grant in 2024
Founded in 2002, Somerset Community College is a relatively young school, but it has all of the knowledge and resources of institutions that have been around for decades. SCC serves over 15 counties, offering personal, professional, and economic development for residents of southern Kentucky. Somerset provides one-year certificate and diploma programs and 2-year associate’s degree programs, with easy transfer opportunities to any Kentucky university. SCC’s rapidly growing academics includes currently consists of eight divisions: * Business & Information Technology * Construction & Manufacturing * Education & Consumer Sciences * Health * Humanities & Fine Arts * Natural Sciences & Mathematics * Social Sciences * Transportation To help stimulate the local economy, the school also funds several adult education programs including GED preparation and career coaching. These courses are designed to get Kentuckians to work by teaching essential skills and targeted job training. Somserset currently has six locations throughout southern Kentucky, so you can study at the campus that’s most convenient for you. In addition to federal grants and loans, Somerset offers a number of academic and endowed scholarships to eligible students. The Elliott Family Trust and Roscoe Kelley Memorial Scholarship are among the financial aid opportunities available.

OneSeventeen Media

Grant in 2022
OneSeventeen Media, Inc. is a company focused on developing social media tools aimed at promoting the well-being of children aged 10 to 14. Based in Austin, Texas, the company offers a range of services, including MyMobileMentor, a digital first responder that equips kids with essential skills to navigate challenging situations during their teenage years. Additionally, OneSeventeen Media has created reThinkIt!, a telebehavioral mental health platform that utilizes live chat and chatbot assistants to help children process difficult emotions and understand their behaviors. The company also provides an integrated real-time behavior management system for schools, supporting both parents and educational institutions in addressing complex issues related to children's social-emotional health with evidence-based and personalized content. Since its incorporation in 2008, OneSeventeen Media has aimed to empower young individuals to make informed decisions in various environments, including school and home.

Cognitive ToyBox

Grant in 2022
Cognitive ToyBox, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing early childhood education by creating evidence-based games and applications that assess kindergarten readiness in children. Founded by Tammy Kwan and Dr. Brenden Lake in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company develops mobile solutions for both Android and iOS platforms. Its technology combines observational methods with game-based learning, allowing educators to collect real-time data on children's cognitive skills and progress. Supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, Cognitive ToyBox aims to ensure that all children are well-prepared for the challenges of kindergarten through innovative assessment tools and engaging educational experiences.

CodeCrew

Grant in 2021
CodeCrew empowers kids from underrepresented communities to be tech innovators and leaders through practical, hands-on computer science training. Today, they have multiple summer camps, multiple after-school programs, eight in-school electives programs, a young adult Code School, and a number of special events.

Mechanismic

Grant in 2021
Mechanismic provides after-school and camp programs, curricula, and tutorials for children using a robotics product. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Saint James, New York.

Cognitive ToyBox

Grant in 2021
Cognitive ToyBox, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing early childhood education by creating evidence-based games and applications that assess kindergarten readiness in children. Founded by Tammy Kwan and Dr. Brenden Lake in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company develops mobile solutions for both Android and iOS platforms. Its technology combines observational methods with game-based learning, allowing educators to collect real-time data on children's cognitive skills and progress. Supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, Cognitive ToyBox aims to ensure that all children are well-prepared for the challenges of kindergarten through innovative assessment tools and engaging educational experiences.

Quinsigamond Community College

Grant in 2020
Quisigamond Community College, located in Worcester, MA, serves over 13,000 students and offers more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs. In addition to the traditional student academic program, Quisigamond offers online classes specifically geared toward working students or professionals who want to enhance their skills or build new ones. Those classes include Business Administration, Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Computer Science and Hospitality Management. Certificates are available in business administration/insurance or medical office options, Hotel and Restaurant Management, Early Childhood Education, and Law Enforcement. Various healthcare certificates are also offered including Surgery Technology, basic Paramedic and Dental Assisting. Associate Degrees are offered in Deaf Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Electromechanical Technology, Telecommunications Technology and Energy Utility. Quisigamond has developed outstanding relationships with potential employers in the central Massachusetts area including Intel, Verizon, Kennedy Diecasting, UPS and Ken-Weld and sponsors regular collaborations for workforce training. The Children’s School is available for enrolled students and members of the community with children between the ages of 2 to 5 years and also operates as a training center for Early Childhood Education students . The Division of Continuing Education hosts non-credit courses, workshops and seminars that are widely attended by the community and students.

Kean University

Grant in 2019
For students in or nearby Union, New Jersey, looking to earn a bachelors or masters degree, why not head down Morris Avenue to visit Kean University and see if it’s the perfect place for you? Programs include Accounting, Behavioral Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Finance, Fine Arts, and Visual Communications, among many, many more. Among the student resources are a bookstore, child care center, food services and a career development center. The career center was built to help students write resumes, prepare for interviews, search for jobs and find the perfect major for their career goals. Kean University also features a campus full of activities, clubs, and cultural offerings. You can see a show at the Wilkins Theater, or join one of the university’s many clubs. Or you could take a short trip to New York City, which is less than an hour away! The decision to go to college shouldn’t have to depend solely on monetary matters. The financial aid resources of Kean will help you fill out the FAFSA, which could lead to federal loans and grants. There are also work-study programs, veteran’s benefits and many scholarships for eligible students. In fact, Kean University has a whole office dedicated to scholarship services.

MathBRIX

Grant in 2019
MathBRIX is a for-profit EdTech business, with initial support from the National Science Foundation Small Business Research Program (NSF/SBIR). The venture is developing a SaaS math program for children 3-8, which emphasizes higher-order thinking skills and concept acquisition. Children are guided through visual puzzles and games designed to help them see the big ideas behind math, rather than memorize facts. Virtual toy building bricks take the place of traditional manipulatives, with studs on the surface representing numeric value. The platform adjusts to each child's level and comes with a suite of analytics that track learning outcomes. Off computer hands-on projects further extend learning. The MathBRIX mission is to create new learning technologies that will make a significant social and economic impact over time. For the US to remain a world economic leader, all children must be able to think mathematically and problem-solve. Children behind in kindergarten, often stay behind through the remaining school years. Only 40% of U.S. fourth grade students are deemed proficient on national math assessments. Early intervention is key. The visual strategies are derived from the federally-funded Comprehensive School Mathematics Program. Twenty years of research found CSMP students had greater ability to solve novel math problems. CSMP was effective with the gifted as well as the learning challenged. MathBRIX testing with over 500 students confirms high student engagement, feasibility, promise of learning. A larger test is underway in 34 districts nation-wide. In 2018, pre-school and parent education components will be developed with the Parents as Teachers National Center.

Teaching It Right

Grant in 2019
Teaching It Right is an educational curriculum development company focused on serving children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The company creates supplementary materials and curricula tailored for individuals and educational institutions, as well as professionals involved in autism education. Their offerings include an integrated mobile application designed to teach social skills and a multi-sensory therapy program aimed at enhancing eye contact. These services are intended to help children engage more fully in society, prepare for self-sufficiency, and improve their future employment opportunities.

Chef Koochooloo

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Chef Koochooloo is an educational company that offers a unique platform combining cooking with learning to teach children essential skills in math, science, and global awareness. The program integrates culinary activities with academic lessons, allowing students to explore different cultures through cooking while aligning with various educational standards, including Common Core and NGSS. Chef Koochooloo features a range of products, such as a TV show, a kid-friendly cookbook, and an interactive app that guides students through recipes while reinforcing relevant concepts in math, geography, and science tailored to their grade levels. The company’s mission focuses on engaging kids and educators in healthy, collaborative cooking experiences enriched with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) principles. With a team of nutritionists, chefs, curriculum specialists, and game designers, Chef Koochooloo aims to provide adaptable educational enrichment programs for the classroom and beyond.

Mechanismic

Grant in 2019
Mechanismic provides after-school and camp programs, curricula, and tutorials for children using a robotics product. The company was founded in 2017 and is based in Saint James, New York.

Moondrop Entertainment

Grant in 2018
Moondrop Entertainment is an iPad app that motivates kids and families to create, save, share, and print artwork. Their feeatures that include uncomplicated and safe, professional grade printing, designed for families, encourages creativity, trouble-free sharing, and all fun, no mess.

BrainChild Technologies

Grant in 2017
BrainChild Technologies is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and focuses on developing digital applications and smart devices aimed at enhancing parent-infant communication. The company's flagship product is a low-cost smart pacifier designed to improve the early identification of hearing loss in infants. This innovative device measures changes in an infant's sucking behavior in response to various images and sounds, enabling parents to engage in interactive activities with their children. By tracking behavioral data, BrainChild Technologies helps parents recognize potential hearing issues early, allowing for timely interventions that are crucial for effective treatment.

Chef Koochooloo

Grant in 2017
Chef Koochooloo is an educational company that offers a unique platform combining cooking with learning to teach children essential skills in math, science, and global awareness. The program integrates culinary activities with academic lessons, allowing students to explore different cultures through cooking while aligning with various educational standards, including Common Core and NGSS. Chef Koochooloo features a range of products, such as a TV show, a kid-friendly cookbook, and an interactive app that guides students through recipes while reinforcing relevant concepts in math, geography, and science tailored to their grade levels. The company’s mission focuses on engaging kids and educators in healthy, collaborative cooking experiences enriched with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) principles. With a team of nutritionists, chefs, curriculum specialists, and game designers, Chef Koochooloo aims to provide adaptable educational enrichment programs for the classroom and beyond.

Teaching It Right

Grant in 2017
Teaching It Right is an educational curriculum development company focused on serving children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The company creates supplementary materials and curricula tailored for individuals and educational institutions, as well as professionals involved in autism education. Their offerings include an integrated mobile application designed to teach social skills and a multi-sensory therapy program aimed at enhancing eye contact. These services are intended to help children engage more fully in society, prepare for self-sufficiency, and improve their future employment opportunities.

Kiko Labs

Grant in 2016
Kiko Labs is a game development company based in San Carlos, California, founded in 2013. The company specializes in creating neuroscience-based games aimed at enhancing cognitive skills essential for academic success in children. Its flagship product, Thinking Time, is an adaptive cognitive training game designed for early learners aged 3 to 7. This game focuses on developing executive functions such as memory, inhibition, focus, and cognitive flexibility through engaging challenges. Additionally, Thinking Time targets reasoning and spatial skills, providing a comprehensive approach to cognitive development. Parents, teachers, and caregivers can utilize an in-app metrics dashboard to monitor children's progress across various skill areas, ensuring a supportive learning environment.

Moondrop Entertainment

Grant in 2016
Moondrop Entertainment is an iPad app that motivates kids and families to create, save, share, and print artwork. Their feeatures that include uncomplicated and safe, professional grade printing, designed for families, encourages creativity, trouble-free sharing, and all fun, no mess.

SILAS

Grant in 2016
SiLAS specializes in providing social, emotional, and behavioral solutions aimed at practitioners and students, particularly those on the autism spectrum. The company offers a comprehensive program that includes social-emotional learning (SEL) screenings and curricula for various age groups, in addition to curricula focused on applied behavior analysis (ABA), executive functioning, and transitional and vocational skills. SiLAS also features a data-driven animation platform designed to assist children in recognizing facial expressions, enhancing language abilities, and improving social interactions. This platform encompasses three tiers of social skills and vocational training, while allowing educators to track student performance metrics associated with individual animation projects. By enabling children to collaborate on creating animation scripts, the platform promotes essential skills such as topic generation, eye contact, and appropriate social responses.

Cognitive ToyBox

Grant in 2016
Cognitive ToyBox, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing early childhood education by creating evidence-based games and applications that assess kindergarten readiness in children. Founded by Tammy Kwan and Dr. Brenden Lake in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company develops mobile solutions for both Android and iOS platforms. Its technology combines observational methods with game-based learning, allowing educators to collect real-time data on children's cognitive skills and progress. Supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, Cognitive ToyBox aims to ensure that all children are well-prepared for the challenges of kindergarten through innovative assessment tools and engaging educational experiences.

The Fred Rogers

Grant in 2013
Founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 (as Family Communications, Inc.) to produce "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and other materials for children and families. This past year we changed our name to The Fred Rogers Company. We're proud to be building on Fred's legacy in innovative ways through a wide variety of media, and engaging new generations of children and families with his timeless wisdom.
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