NewSchools Venture Fund is a nonprofit organization founded in 1998, dedicated to improving public K-12 education, particularly for low-income and minority students in urban areas. It focuses on closing the achievement gap by funding and supporting innovative educational entrepreneurs who create scalable solutions to critical challenges in education. The organization has invested significant capital in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, aiming to promote student achievement and provide access to quality education. NewSchools actively collaborates with educational leaders nationwide and advocates for effective educational policies. Its investment strategy encompasses a range of financial structures, including equity, loans, and grants, while also seeking to take board seats in portfolio companies to ensure active engagement in their operations. With offices in Oakland, Boston, and Washington, D.C., NewSchools targets its investments in key cities across the United States and Canada, fostering organizations that serve underserved communities and facilitate the outsourcing of school facilities needs.
OurWorlds is an edutainment company creating technologies that empower communities to illuminate their narratives in immersive realities by geolocation in environments throughout the world, in order to inspire transformative new understandings of our collective histories; improve our education system; inform new approaches to environmental stewardship; and reframe a more equitable and just future.
Tutored by Teachers
Series A in 2022
Tutored by Teachers is an e-learning platform that connects students with certified teachers to provide customized online education. The platform aims to close the opportunity gap and promote equity in education by offering evidence-based, teacher-led virtual learning. It partners directly with schools to deliver supplemental, small-group instruction to high-need, underserved students. This approach not only enhances educational outcomes for students but also ensures fair compensation for teachers while creating pathways for them to advance into educational management roles. Through its national tutoring program, Tutored by Teachers seeks to improve access to quality education, particularly for disadvantaged communities, thereby contributing to the reduction of the achievement gap.
EduMotion
Grant in 2019
EduMotion offers transformative school programs, including SEL Journeys, a digital platform that connects students all over the world to cultural dance lessons and Social-Emotional Learning activities.
NexusEdge
Seed Round in 2018
NexusEdge is a career development platform designed to support lifelong learning for community college students through the use of artificial intelligence. Established in 2016 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the platform offers various resources, including a mentor network, digital badges, free classes from Lynda.com, and a jobs board tailored for entry-level positions. By facilitating video chat interactions with industry professionals, NexusEdge helps students gain insights into potential career paths and fill existing skills gaps. The company also focuses on collaborating with local corporations in Kansas City to provide employees with micro-credential badges, further enhancing workforce preparedness. Overall, NexusEdge aims to connect learners with the appropriate educational resources and career opportunities to align with their talents and aspirations.
ClassWallet
Seed Round in 2018
ClassWallet, founded in 2014 and based in Hollywood, Florida, offers a comprehensive funds management and tracking platform tailored for educational institutions and government agencies. The platform streamlines the management of public funds by minimizing paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing users to efficiently track classroom stipends, grants, donations, and other financial activities. ClassWallet's patented digital wallet technology ensures that funds are appropriately allocated and utilized, enhancing compliance while reducing costs and time associated with traditional methods. Serving clients across 32 states, ClassWallet has facilitated the effective use of over $2.7 billion in public funds. Its integrated marketplace includes partnerships with leading retailers, providing educators with access to essential resources. In 2023, ClassWallet was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and ranked highly among software companies by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500.
Spotlight
Grant in 2018
Business intelligence company currently focused on education. Proprietary software converts data into natural language for "everyday users," either as narrative text-based reports or as personalized videos. Early traction includes paid partnerships with some of the most significant players in education, including ETS, the College Board and NWEA, as well as major school systems, including Oakland Unified School District, Long Beach Unified and Green Dot Public Schools.
RaiseMe
Grant in 2018
The college landscape today is broken for millions of students. Equal access to higher ed has become one of the greatest issues of our time. At RaiseMe, we're reinventing educational pathways and changing the way students access billions of dollars each year in financial aid for college. Rather than waiting until the end of high school to award financial aid, which is too late to affect students' college ambitions or specific application decisions, RaiseMe enables students to earn "micro-Scholarships" automatically throughout high school based on their individual achievements in and outside of the classroom. Students have already earned over $2 billion in micro-scholarships from our university partners. We're on the look out for talented individuals to help us build a large, impactful business and a product that will change millions of lives.
Cognitive ToyBox
Grant in 2017
Cognitive ToyBox develops technology to improve early childhood education. It is an early childhood platform to help all children start kindergarten ready to succeed. The company was founded by Tammy Kwan and Dr. Brenden Lake, with support from the National Science Foundation, the Robin Hood Foundation and NewSchools Venture Fund.
Sparkler
Grant in 2017
Sparkler is a learning and development mobile application designed for parents, pediatricians, teachers, and children, focusing on early childhood development. The app offers tools and resources for education organizations and other employers that engage with parents of young children. By harnessing the science of early child and brain development, Sparkler helps caregivers, including parents and grandparents, optimize the early years of a child's life. The platform measures child development and provides personalized content and coaching to improve child outcomes. Sparkler collaborates with various education, healthcare, and social service organizations to equip families with the necessary tools to foster healthy child development and prepare children for future learning and life experiences.
Family Engagement Lab
Grant in 2017
Family Engagement Lab, LLC is dedicated to enhancing student outcomes in low-income communities by fostering family engagement through its online platform. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the organization offers FASTalk, a text-based program designed to facilitate communication between teachers and families. This program provides curriculum-aligned activities that promote the development of students' social, emotional, and academic skills. Additionally, the platform equips families with strategies to support learning, focusing on building essential academic skills, cultivating positive learning mindsets and habits, and enhancing social and emotional competencies. By collaborating with partners, Family Engagement Lab seeks to identify barriers to family engagement and create respectful, inclusive solutions that honor the diversity of families and communities.
Teachley
Grant in 2017
Teachley, LLC is an educational technology company based in New York that specializes in developing math applications grounded in cognitive science research. The company's offerings include Addimal Adventure, an iPad app designed for students in grades K-2 that focuses on single-digit addition, and Mt. Multiplis, which teaches complex multiplication strategies to students in grades three to five. In addition to its educational applications, Teachley provides Teachley Analytics, a tool that helps schools assess student progress against Common Core standards, identify at-risk students, and customize classroom instruction. By focusing on foundational math concepts, Teachley aims to enhance students' conceptual understanding, fluency, and problem-solving skills, thereby promoting overall student achievement.
codeSpark
Grant in 2017
codeSpark is an educational technology company that creates engaging learning games focused on computer science concepts for children aged five to eight. Founded in 2014 and based in Pasadena, California, the company offers a platform known as codeSpark Academy, featuring The Foos, which combines structured challenges with creative play. This platform caters to various learning styles, enabling millions of children in 201 countries to learn programming and critical thinking skills. Through codeSpark Academy, children master fundamental computer science principles and apply their knowledge by designing, coding, and sharing their own video games. The company's mission emphasizes inclusivity and creativity, allowing young learners to explore and express their ideas freely.
Kaymbu
Grant in 2017
Kaymbu Inc. is a cloud-based documentation and media management solution designed for early education centers, facilitating connections among teachers, families, and administrators. The company provides an iPad-based application that enables educators to capture and document classroom activities through photos and videos, fostering secure communication with families. Teachers and administrators can access this content via web and mobile devices, allowing for the addition of contextual notes and alignment with various assessment frameworks or accreditation criteria. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kaymbu aims to make learning visible and strengthen the relationships between home and school through its innovative platform.
Peekapak
Grant in 2017
Peekapak Inc. is a Toronto-based company that specializes in a digital language arts program focused on character education for children. Founded in 2013, Peekapak provides an engaging learning platform that combines digital stories and lessons with interactive games to teach essential social-emotional skills, such as empathy, teamwork, and self-regulation. The program is designed for both classroom and at-home use, enabling educators and parents to foster essential character traits in children. Developed by education experts, Peekapak's resources are standards-aligned and research-based, making it easier for teachers to integrate social-emotional learning into their literacy curriculum. The company has received backing from prominent educational organizations and has garnered attention in various media outlets, highlighting its innovative approach to nurturing compassionate and empathetic citizens.
PowerMyLearning
Grant in 2017
PowerMyLearning is a national non-profit that leverages technology to strengthen the learning relationships among students, teachers, and families so that all students can succeed. Our work fosters growth in teachers as instructional leaders; in families as support partners; and in students as learners who can meet the challenge of high academic standards.
LiftEd
Grant in 2017
LiftEd is a continuous monitoring, intervention, and instructional support platform. It empowers teachers, related service (speech/occupational therapists, behaviorists, psychologists, etc.) and other Special Education professionals to rigorously track progress data, intelligently refine instruction/intervention strategies, and accelerate outcomes for learners with disAbilities or differences ages 3-22.
Branching Minds
Grant in 2017
Branching Minds solves a large and growing problem for teachers, principals and superintendents: educators have no clear way of figuring out why students are struggling to learn, or what teachers should do to help them get back on track. Our platform helps teachers to identify students’ cognitive learning strengths and challenges, algorithmically matches them with research-backed learning supports, and then tracks and reports data on student progress.
Kinems
Grant in 2017
Kinems is a movement-based educational platform designed to support special education students in reaching their full potential. Founded in 2013 by Michael Boloudakis and Simos Retalis in New York, the platform combines therapeutic body movements with computer-based learning games aligned with state educational standards. This innovative approach allows therapists and teachers to customize activities to meet the unique learning and developmental needs of each child. Kinems integrates academic content in math and literacy, ensuring that physical therapy and occupational therapy sessions reinforce rather than detract from academic learning. The platform also includes progress monitoring and documentation features, enabling professionals to track improvements in attention, eye-hand coordination, and motor planning skills for children with disabilities.
iTherapy
Grant in 2017
iTherapy specializes in developing innovative technology aimed at enhancing communication skills for students with autism and other special needs. Founded by Matthew Guggemos and Lois Jean Brady, the company utilizes a multi-sensory approach that combines science, technology, and play to create educational tools. These tools incorporate AI-powered language-learning features and video self-modeling, facilitating improved teaching methods and learning experiences for individuals with learning disabilities. By focusing on the unique requirements of this population, iTherapy aims to significantly enhance their quality of life.
Enuma
Grant in 2017
Enuma, Inc. is a developer of accessible, game-based learning applications aimed at helping children, including those with special needs, learn independently. Founded in 2012 and based in Berkeley, California, Enuma offers a range of products, such as Todo Math, which focuses on foundational math skills for pre-K through 2nd grade, and Todo Telling Time, designed to teach children about time-telling through engaging mini-games. The company also provides Kid in Story, a visual storytelling app that supports early literacy and social modeling, along with Todo Number Matrix, which challenges children with various mathematical concepts. Enuma's mission is to empower all children, regardless of their resources, to become confident and independent learners. In recognition of its innovative approach to education, Enuma won the Global Learning XPRIZE competition in 2019 for achieving significant learning gains in a field test.
Education Modified
Grant in 2017
Education Modified LLC is a company that focuses on enhancing educational outcomes for students with diverse needs through its EdMod App. Founded in 2011 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the application offers educators access to research-based professional development, easy-to-implement strategies, and tools for monitoring student progress. The platform is designed to support teachers by providing critical information on special education, including ADHD and dyslexia professional development, and features that enhance curriculum and standards. Developed by special educators and leveraging artificial intelligence, the EdMod App aims to bridge the gap between compliance and effective classroom practices, fostering collaboration among educators to improve student achievements.
CodeHS
Seed Round in 2016
CodeHS is a comprehensive teaching platform for helping schools teach computer science. We provide web-based curriculum, teacher tools and resources, and professional development. Schools have access to a 6th-12th grade computer science curriculum for free, and much more on pro — including lesson plans, a gradebook, progress tracking and dedicated support.
Talkingpoints
Grant in 2016
TalkingPoints’ mission is to meaningfully connect teachers, parents, and students across to build relationships, so students can feel better supported in their learning. The company helps parents meaningfully engage in their students’ education, regardless of the backgrounds they have or the languages they speak.
Speak Agent
Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Speak Agent, Inc. is an education company dedicated to closing the academic achievement gap for special populations like ELLs (English Language Learners). The company was born out of the CEO’s frustration as a former teacher with the lack of tools to teach academic English. Its solution is an online platform for teaching vocabulary in all subjects. It has received awards from the Dept. of Education, DARPA, NSF, TEDCO, and NewSchools Venture Fund.
Spotlight
Grant in 2016
Business intelligence company currently focused on education. Proprietary software converts data into natural language for "everyday users," either as narrative text-based reports or as personalized videos. Early traction includes paid partnerships with some of the most significant players in education, including ETS, the College Board and NWEA, as well as major school systems, including Oakland Unified School District, Long Beach Unified and Green Dot Public Schools.
Motion Math
Grant in 2016
Motion Math Inc. is a developer of movement-based mobile math games aimed at enhancing children's understanding and enjoyment of mathematics. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company creates engaging educational games that help students master challenging K-6 math standards through interactive visuals and an innovative learning model. The games focus on building math fluency and conceptual understanding, utilizing a growth mindset approach to foster a love for intellectual challenges. Motion Math's products enable learners to perceive and estimate various representations of fractions, such as numerators, denominators, percents, decimals, and pie charts, by connecting these concepts to their positions on a number line. As of November 2017, Motion Math operates as a subsidiary of Curriculum Associates LLC.
ZEARN
Grant in 2016
The only curriculum top-rated by EdReports that unites hands-on instruction and immersive digital learning.
Kaizena
Seed Round in 2015
Kaizena operates a student assessment platform designed to enhance the feedback process in educational settings. The platform enables students to request feedback from teachers and peers on their work, fostering a continuous learning cycle. Users can provide relevant feedback, record voice comments, and assess students on various skills demonstrated in their assignments. By facilitating productive feedback, Kaizena supports learners in their pursuit of improvement across different disciplines, making the feedback process an integral part of their educational experience.
ClassWallet
Seed Round in 2015
ClassWallet, founded in 2014 and based in Hollywood, Florida, offers a comprehensive funds management and tracking platform tailored for educational institutions and government agencies. The platform streamlines the management of public funds by minimizing paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing users to efficiently track classroom stipends, grants, donations, and other financial activities. ClassWallet's patented digital wallet technology ensures that funds are appropriately allocated and utilized, enhancing compliance while reducing costs and time associated with traditional methods. Serving clients across 32 states, ClassWallet has facilitated the effective use of over $2.7 billion in public funds. Its integrated marketplace includes partnerships with leading retailers, providing educators with access to essential resources. In 2023, ClassWallet was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and ranked highly among software companies by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500.
Zaption
Seed Round in 2015
Zaption, Inc. operates an online platform that transforms passive video content into active learning experiences through interactive video tools. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, Zaption provides educators—including teachers, trainers, and instructional designers—with intuitive authoring tools to enhance existing online videos from sources like YouTube and Vimeo. Users can easily incorporate images, text, quiz questions, and discussions into these videos, creating customized interactive lessons. These "learning tours" can be shared privately or embedded within various learning management systems. Additionally, Zaption's analytics feature tracks learner engagement, offering educators immediate data to improve instruction and personalize learning experiences. The platform is compatible with all major web browsers and includes a native app for iPhones and iPads. As of June 30, 2016, Zaption operates as a subsidiary of Workday, Inc.
Tales2Go
Series A in 2015
Tales2Go Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, offers a subscription-based mobile audiobook service that provides educators, parents, and students with on-demand access to a vast library of audiobook titles. Founded in 2009, the platform streams thousands of audiobooks from leading publishers directly to desktops and mobile devices, making it a valuable resource for classrooms. Recognizing the importance of listening skills in literacy development, Tales2Go supports educational initiatives by enhancing students' reading comprehension and vocabulary through engaging audio content. This innovative approach aligns with contemporary educational standards, which emphasize the integration of audiobooks in literacy programs, particularly for younger students. As schools increasingly adopt technology, Tales2Go serves as an effective solution for modernizing media centers and improving reading outcomes.
CodeHS
Seed Round in 2015
CodeHS is a comprehensive teaching platform for helping schools teach computer science. We provide web-based curriculum, teacher tools and resources, and professional development. Schools have access to a 6th-12th grade computer science curriculum for free, and much more on pro — including lesson plans, a gradebook, progress tracking and dedicated support.
Newsela
Series A in 2014
Newsela, Inc. is an educational technology company that publishes daily online news articles to support students in developing advanced literacy skills. Founded in 2013 and based in New York, the company transforms real and current content from trusted providers into accessible learning materials. Its platform features news articles across various categories, including war, science, health, law, arts, and sports, presented at five levels of complexity. This approach enables students of different grades to enhance their non-fiction reading fluency and critical thinking skills in an engaging and user-friendly manner.
SchoolMint
Seed Round in 2014
SchoolMint is a cloud-based platform designed to simplify student enrollment and school choice for PreK-12 educational systems worldwide. Established in 2013, it has been adopted by over 6,000 schools to manage various aspects of the enrollment process, including student registration, applications, lottery management, and digital document submissions. The platform is accessible online and on mobile devices, and it seamlessly integrates with leading student information systems (SIS). By transforming the enrollment experience, SchoolMint enhances communication between parents and schools, facilitating a more efficient admission process for independent, charter, and district schools.
Ellevation
Venture Round in 2014
Ellevation, LLC is a software development company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in educational technology for English language learners (ELL). It offers a web-based platform designed to support educators in managing and enhancing the educational experience for multilingual students. The Ellevation program organizes essential student data, facilitates critical monitoring and reporting processes, and aids in instructional planning. Additionally, it provides research-based instructional practices and activities to assist teachers in effectively teaching English learners. The company's offerings include Ellevation Math, which helps students access grade-level math content. Ellevation serves a diverse range of clients, including public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, principals, and students throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the company was previously known as ESL Innovations, Inc. before rebranding in 2011.
Tuva Labs
Seed Round in 2014
Tuva Labs provides data literacy solutions for K-12 schools, businesses, and organizations working in sustainable development. It offers Tuva, a data literacy platform that enables teachers to use interactive, visual graphing tools and curated datasets to teach problem solving, modeling, evidence-based thinking and other essential skills. The company's Tuva provides a library of modules and lessons that enables participants to learn foundational concepts in data, statistics, and analytics in various languages, such as English, Spanish, and Arabic. Tuva Labs was founded in 2012 and is based in New York.
ClassWallet
Pre Seed Round in 2014
ClassWallet, founded in 2014 and based in Hollywood, Florida, offers a comprehensive funds management and tracking platform tailored for educational institutions and government agencies. The platform streamlines the management of public funds by minimizing paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing users to efficiently track classroom stipends, grants, donations, and other financial activities. ClassWallet's patented digital wallet technology ensures that funds are appropriately allocated and utilized, enhancing compliance while reducing costs and time associated with traditional methods. Serving clients across 32 states, ClassWallet has facilitated the effective use of over $2.7 billion in public funds. Its integrated marketplace includes partnerships with leading retailers, providing educators with access to essential resources. In 2023, ClassWallet was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and ranked highly among software companies by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500.
Tales2Go
Seed Round in 2014
Tales2Go Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, offers a subscription-based mobile audiobook service that provides educators, parents, and students with on-demand access to a vast library of audiobook titles. Founded in 2009, the platform streams thousands of audiobooks from leading publishers directly to desktops and mobile devices, making it a valuable resource for classrooms. Recognizing the importance of listening skills in literacy development, Tales2Go supports educational initiatives by enhancing students' reading comprehension and vocabulary through engaging audio content. This innovative approach aligns with contemporary educational standards, which emphasize the integration of audiobooks in literacy programs, particularly for younger students. As schools increasingly adopt technology, Tales2Go serves as an effective solution for modernizing media centers and improving reading outcomes.
BrightBytes
Series B in 2014
BrightBytes provides the first SaaS-based data analytics platform that measures and links technology use in education to learning outcomes. It leverages data to understand and improve learning with technology. Its team is made up of Data Scientists, Educational Researchers, Developers, and Data Visualization Experts. The platform also enables educators to cleanse, integrate, and bi-directionally to manage complex data from multiple systems. It was founded in 2012 and is located in San Francisco, California.
EdSurge
Series A in 2014
EdSurge, Inc. operates a community focused on innovation in education technology, providing news, insights, and resources for educators, entrepreneurs, and investors. Founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, EdSurge features a product browser that allows users to filter information by subject, audience, and technology platform. The organization is recognized for its comprehensive database of edtech products and companies, as well as its regular reporting on the education technology ecosystem. EdSurge publishes a weekly newsletter, hosts events such as the San Francisco education technology meetup and a series of nationwide summits, and runs the Digital Innovation in Learning Awards. Additionally, it offers a jobs board and the Edtech Concierge service to assist education leaders in selecting appropriate tools. With a mix of technologists, educators, and journalists, EdSurge aims to foster the effective adoption of education technology through impartial reporting and community engagement. The organization has received venture funding and grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Kidaptive
Series B in 2013
Kidaptive, Inc. is an education technology company based in Redwood City, California, founded in 2011. The company focuses on developing interactive educational content tailored for preschoolers, offering products such as Leo's Pad, a series of interactive applications designed to enhance children's learning experiences, and Parent's Pad, an assessment tool to aid parents in tracking their children's progress. Kidaptive's Adaptive Learning Platform integrates observations from various learning contexts to create detailed profiles of individual learners, allowing for personalized learning experiences. By leveraging innovative technology and insights from learning sciences, Kidaptive aims to engage children, optimize their educational outcomes, and foster a lifelong love of learning, while also supporting parents and educators in their roles.
Securly
Seed Round in 2013
Securly, Inc. is a company that specializes in cloud-based filtering solutions for educational institutions. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Jose, California, with additional offices in various locations including Charlotte, North Carolina, India, Mexico, Glasgow, and London, Securly provides In-School Filtering and Take-Home Filtering software. This platform ensures secure access to learning tools for students in classrooms while also promoting their safety online. By utilizing language-sentiment analysis, Securly's technology not only filters inappropriate content but also detects potential incidents of cyberbullying and self-harm. This capability allows teachers and parents to effectively monitor and manage the websites accessed by students, fostering a safer digital environment for learning.
Newsela
Seed Round in 2013
Newsela, Inc. is an educational technology company that publishes daily online news articles to support students in developing advanced literacy skills. Founded in 2013 and based in New York, the company transforms real and current content from trusted providers into accessible learning materials. Its platform features news articles across various categories, including war, science, health, law, arts, and sports, presented at five levels of complexity. This approach enables students of different grades to enhance their non-fiction reading fluency and critical thinking skills in an engaging and user-friendly manner.
Curriculet
Seed Round in 2013
Curriculet is a digital reading platform designed to enhance the educational experience for both teachers and students. It enables educators to create, customize, and share curriculum and lesson materials that align with Common Core standards. Additionally, Curriculet allows school districts to purchase ebooks at reduced costs, thereby expanding their libraries and providing teachers with a broader selection of reading materials. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, Curriculet operates as a subsidiary of Waterford Institute Inc. The platform aims to make reading more engaging and accessible for students, emphasizing the importance of effective curricula developed through collaboration among educators.
ReadWorks
Seed Round in 2013
ReadWorks offers free, research-based, classroom-proven lessons and online training to help K-6 teachers explicitly teach the component skills and strategies of reading comprehension, while also supporting the much needed development of background knowledge and vocabulary.
NoRedInk
Seed Round in 2013
NoRedInk is a web-based learning platform focused on enhancing the writing and grammar skills of students in grades 4-12. It offers engaging, adaptive exercises that are tailored to individual interests, such as sports teams and pop culture, which helps make the learning experience more relatable and enjoyable. The platform identifies grammatical errors in students' writing, provides tailored tutorials, and offers follow-up exercises to reinforce learning. Additionally, it delivers actionable performance data to teachers and administrators, enabling them to assess each student's strengths and weaknesses effectively. With its usage in over half of the school districts in the United States, NoRedInk aims to unlock every student’s writing potential through a modern approach to writing education.
Socrative
Seed Round in 2013
Socrative helps teachers engage & assess the class with educational activities on laptops, smartphones and tablets. In the background, they track student performance and provide real-time data to help teachers, parents, schools and districts personalize and improve learning.
Schoolzilla
Seed Round in 2013
Schoolzilla offers a cloud-based data management and visualization platform designed to assist K-12 district and school leaders in making data-driven decisions. The company's flagship product, Mosaic District Progress Monitoring, facilitates the integration and analysis of data from over 100 commonly used student information systems, assessment tools, and operational software. This configurable solution enables educators to monitor key performance indicators, such as chronic absenteeism, assessment outcomes, and equity gaps. By transforming achievement and operational data into interactive reports, Schoolzilla empowers schools to implement effective interventions, track student progress, and ensure that students are prepared for college and career success.
Ellevation
Series A in 2013
Ellevation, LLC is a software development company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in educational technology for English language learners (ELL). It offers a web-based platform designed to support educators in managing and enhancing the educational experience for multilingual students. The Ellevation program organizes essential student data, facilitates critical monitoring and reporting processes, and aids in instructional planning. Additionally, it provides research-based instructional practices and activities to assist teachers in effectively teaching English learners. The company's offerings include Ellevation Math, which helps students access grade-level math content. Ellevation serves a diverse range of clients, including public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, principals, and students throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the company was previously known as ESL Innovations, Inc. before rebranding in 2011.
LearnZillion
Series A in 2013
LearnZillion provides educators with curricular products for the new standards in digital and print. Its platform offers access to instructional materials for mathematics and literacy, as well as provides task-implementation guides for teachers that enable students and teachers to get benefited from each other through interactive learning. LearnZillion was founded in 2011 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.
Tynker
Venture Round in 2013
Tynker is a creative computing platform where millions of kids have learned to program and built games, apps and more. Tynker's mission is to provide every child with solid foundations in Computer Science, programming, and critical thinking skills to prepare them to become better architects of their future world. Tynker offers self-paced online courses for children to learn coding at home, as well as an engaging programming curriculum for schools. Tynker’s intuitive visual programming language enables kids to build web and mobile apps, design RPG and platformer games, control robots, program drones, and even modify Minecraft worlds.
Nearpod
Seed Round in 2013
Nearpod Inc. offers a cloud-based platform designed to enhance the learning experience in both traditional and remote educational settings. Founded in 2011 and based in Aventura, Florida, Nearpod enables educators to create and deliver interactive multimedia presentations that engage students through synchronized use of mobile devices, particularly iPads. The platform allows teachers to convert existing content into mobile-friendly formats, facilitating real-time feedback via features such as polls and quizzes. Additionally, Nearpod provides a certified educator community that shares webinars, lessons, and training materials, along with various curriculum services, including resources focused on digital citizenship, social-emotional learning, and college readiness. By leveraging technology in the classroom, Nearpod aims to transform students into active participants in their education.
BrightBytes
Seed Round in 2013
BrightBytes provides the first SaaS-based data analytics platform that measures and links technology use in education to learning outcomes. It leverages data to understand and improve learning with technology. Its team is made up of Data Scientists, Educational Researchers, Developers, and Data Visualization Experts. The platform also enables educators to cleanse, integrate, and bi-directionally to manage complex data from multiple systems. It was founded in 2012 and is located in San Francisco, California.
Ellevation
Venture Round in 2013
Ellevation, LLC is a software development company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in educational technology for English language learners (ELL). It offers a web-based platform designed to support educators in managing and enhancing the educational experience for multilingual students. The Ellevation program organizes essential student data, facilitates critical monitoring and reporting processes, and aids in instructional planning. Additionally, it provides research-based instructional practices and activities to assist teachers in effectively teaching English learners. The company's offerings include Ellevation Math, which helps students access grade-level math content. Ellevation serves a diverse range of clients, including public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, principals, and students throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the company was previously known as ESL Innovations, Inc. before rebranding in 2011.
Goalbook
Seed Round in 2012
Goalbook is a provider of a professional learning platform aimed at assisting educators in identifying learning barriers and developing effective instructional strategies. The platform features the Goalbook Toolkit and Goalbook Pathways, which offer instructional support and facilitate the design of multiple learning pathways. By integrating research-based strategies and model exemplars, Goalbook equips educators with the necessary tools and training to create specialized instruction tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. Through its services, Goalbook promotes universal design for learning, enabling educators to enhance the learning experience for all students.
eSpark
Series A in 2012
eSpark, Inc. specializes in developing educational applications for iPad, aimed primarily at elementary school students. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Chicago, with an additional office in San Francisco, the company offers tools such as Frontier, which engages students in writing, and eSpark, which provides differentiated instruction in math and English Language Arts (ELA). eSpark's mission focuses on creating a student-centered learning environment, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their academic goals, regardless of their background or circumstances.
EdSurge
Seed Round in 2012
EdSurge, Inc. operates a community focused on innovation in education technology, providing news, insights, and resources for educators, entrepreneurs, and investors. Founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, EdSurge features a product browser that allows users to filter information by subject, audience, and technology platform. The organization is recognized for its comprehensive database of edtech products and companies, as well as its regular reporting on the education technology ecosystem. EdSurge publishes a weekly newsletter, hosts events such as the San Francisco education technology meetup and a series of nationwide summits, and runs the Digital Innovation in Learning Awards. Additionally, it offers a jobs board and the Edtech Concierge service to assist education leaders in selecting appropriate tools. With a mix of technologists, educators, and journalists, EdSurge aims to foster the effective adoption of education technology through impartial reporting and community engagement. The organization has received venture funding and grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Educreations
Series A in 2012
Educreations is a global community where anyone can teach what they know and learn what they don't. They''re on a mission to democratize learning by extending the reach of great teaching.
Engrade
Series A in 2012
Engrade was founded in 2003 by a high school student who wanted a better way to connect with teachers on homework, assessments, and messages. Over the years, user feedback and innovative ideas have shaped Engrade into a robust learning management system. Today, Engrade is a division of digital learning-focused CTB/McGraw-Hill and helps educators, parents, and students through all stages of the learning cycle from curriculum planning to assessments.
LearnZillion
Seed Round in 2012
LearnZillion provides educators with curricular products for the new standards in digital and print. Its platform offers access to instructional materials for mathematics and literacy, as well as provides task-implementation guides for teachers that enable students and teachers to get benefited from each other through interactive learning. LearnZillion was founded in 2011 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia.
MasteryConnect
Seed Round in 2011
MasteryConnect is an educational technology company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. It offers a comprehensive assessment and curriculum platform that supports educators in identifying student understanding, targeting interventions, and personalizing learning experiences. The platform enables teachers to conduct various formative and benchmark assessments, automates grading, and facilitates the monitoring of student performance against core standards. By leveraging data, MasteryConnect empowers educators to evaluate their teaching practices and communicate effectively with parents and administrators, ultimately driving student growth and success.
Grockit
Series D in 2011
Grockit is a pioneering online social learning company. Grockit has proven that people learn more, faster through combining social learning mechanics and multi-media learning content to help people teach and learn from others. Grockit.com offers Test Prep services for GMAT, IIM CAT, LSAT, GRE, ACT, SAT and AP Calculus and AP History tests. Grockit has built a social learning test prep platform for license and direct-to-consumer products. Florida Virtual Schools, KIPP Schools, Georgetown University and other schools have deployed Grockit services.
BetterLesson
Venture Round in 2011
BetterLesson, Inc. is a professional development platform aimed at K-12 educators, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and established in 2008. The platform connects teachers with personal coaches to establish professional development goals and create tailored learning plans. BetterLesson offers a searchable database that allows users to access lesson plans, classroom materials, and various instructional resources. The company emphasizes research-based professional development focused on enhancing student outcomes, equipping educators with the skills to foster meaningful, student-centered learning experiences. Its offerings include defined learning pathways, self-directed courses, in-depth workshops, and personalized coaching, all designed to support strategic learning initiatives within educational districts and improve teaching effectiveness and student performance.
Education Elements
Seed Round in 2011
Education Elements, Inc. is an educational consulting firm based in San Carlos, California, that collaborates with school districts to create and support effective learning environments tailored to the needs of all students. Founded in 2010, the company offers a range of services, including the design of blended learning models that consider school facilities, scheduling, and resources. Education Elements assists both new and existing schools in integrating technology and personalized learning strategies, ensuring that educators can better support students' individual learning styles and paces. Their solutions encompass a Hybrid Learning Management System, which facilitates online learning integration, and Touchpoint, a personalized learning platform that provides resources and timelines for districts. The firm works with various educational institutions, including public charter, district, and private schools, helping them enhance instructional practices and improve student outcomes across the country.
Guaranteach
Debt Financing in 2010
Guaranteach is an online math tutoring platform that provides students, parents, and teachers with access to a comprehensive library of instructional videos covering a wide range of mathematical subjects. The platform features thousands of bite-sized videos that explain various math topics, including fundamental concepts, basic math, geometry, and calculus. Content is community-sourced and rigorously screened by educational professionals to ensure high-quality educational standards. Guaranteach's proprietary software tailors video recommendations to individual students' learning preferences, enhancing the effectiveness of the tutoring experience. Founded in mid-2008 and initially seed-funded by Innosight Ventures, Guaranteach underwent a second funding round in 2009 and was subsequently acquired by Sophia Learning in 2011, which was later acquired by Capella University in 2012.
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