NewSchools Venture Fund

Founded in 1998, NewSchools Venture Fund is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to transforming public education. It invests in innovative educational solutions and supports entrepreneurs focused on improving outcomes for disadvantaged students, particularly those from low-income and minority backgrounds. The fund blends philanthropy and venture capital approaches, investing in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations across various stages of development.

Liz Arney

Partner

Scott Benson

Partner

Tonika Clayton

Managing Partner

Deborah M. McGriff

Managing Partner

Amy Omand

Director of Finance and CFO

Past deals in Education

Outline It

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Outline is an interactive writing platform designed to assist students and educators in producing better-structured essays more efficiently. The platform aims to alleviate writer's block, organize thoughts effectively, and enhance the pre-writing process, providing educators with valuable insights into their students' work. By streamlining the writing experience, Outline not only aids in the academic success of college and graduate school students but also supports their admission into higher education institutions and advancement in their careers. This tool emphasizes the importance of clear and concise writing, positioning itself as a vital resource in the educational landscape.

Tutored by Teachers

Series A in 2022
Tutored by Teachers is an e-learning platform that connects students with certified teachers to provide personalized online education. The company focuses on addressing educational disparities by offering teacher-led virtual learning tailored to the needs of high-need, underserved students. Through its platform, Tutored by Teachers aims to enhance academic outcomes while ensuring that teachers receive fair compensation and opportunities for professional growth within the education sector. By partnering directly with schools, the company seeks to close the achievement gap and promote equity in education, thereby improving access to quality learning experiences for disadvantaged communities.

Educators for Excellence

Grant in 2019
Educators for Excellence is a non-profit dedicated to giving teachers a voice in policies that affect their students and profession. The company was founded in 2012 by Sydney Morris and Evan Stone.

TECA

Grant in 2019
TECA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the support of educators of color in Tennessee. Diarese George, a former classroom teacher in the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, founded the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance in the fall of 2016 to provide a platform to amplify the voice and presence of educators of color.

GiveThx

Grant in 2019
GiveThx is a digital program that strengthens student wellbeing and social-emotional skills using gratitude science. Students and staff use digital thank you notes to recognize and reinforce positive behaviors that nurture relationships and build self-esteem. GiveThx is a powerful social-emotional learning system that schools can use on a daily basis, leveraging technology to create safe and inclusive communities. GiveThx is a nonprofit based in Oakland, CA with a mission to increase belonging and emotional wellbeing for all students.

Move This World

Grant in 2019
Move This World is a proactive mental health platform for PreK-12 students, staff, and families. Its evidence-based, interactive social-emotional learning programs are delivered via multimedia experiences that create a common language, support social-emotional development, and strengthen school communities where learning thrives. The platform is designed for seamless delivery and aligns with MTSS frameworks, enabling learning at school or home and supporting families to navigate changing realities through approaches grounded in creative arts therapy and positive psychology. The programs have reached over 4 million students across 45 states and 9 countries.

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.

Mursion

Series A in 2019
Mursion is a virtual reality training platform that provides immersive, personalized simulations to help professionals practice essential workplace interpersonal skills. The platform combines artificial intelligence with live actors to recreate authentic, high-stakes interactions across a range of environments, enabling users to rehearse challenging exchanges and risk-free experiments to improve day-to-day performance. It serves sectors including healthcare, education, hospitality, and finance, among others, and focuses on mastering communication, collaboration, leadership, and conflict resolution through realistic practice scenarios.

Teton Science Schools

Grant in 2018
Teton Science School is a learning organization that uses a place-based methodology to increase participation, education, and community impact. They provide programs consisting of field education, classroom education, and educator development.

NexusEdge Education

Seed Round in 2018
NexusEdge Education Inc. operates an AI-powered education-to-career platform that helps students explore career options and enables employers to build targeted candidate pipelines. The platform provides mentoring networks, micro-credentials, digital badges, a job board, and built-in video chat with industry mentors. It supports learning management system integration and automatic issuance of micro-credentials upon assessment success, while offering pathways to interview opportunities. The company serves high schools, community colleges, universities, and alumni, focusing on partnerships with employers to align classroom training with market needs. Founded in 2016 and based in Los Angeles, California, NexusEdge aims to connect education to employment by tailoring skills development to individual strengths and labor-market demands.

RaiseMe

Grant in 2018
RaiseMe is a financial aid information and networking platform focused on improving access to higher education through innovative scholarship opportunities. The company addresses the challenges faced by millions of students in the college admissions process by allowing them to earn "micro-Scholarships" based on their individual achievements throughout high school. This approach enables students to receive financial assistance early, rather than waiting until the end of high school, thereby positively influencing their college ambitions and application decisions. Through partnerships with various universities, RaiseMe has facilitated the distribution of over $2 billion in micro-scholarships, demonstrating its commitment to transforming educational pathways and enhancing the college experience for students.

Strive for College

Grant in 2018
Strive for College connects aspiring college students with free, one-on-one, online mentoring through the entire college admissions and financial aid application process. Strive for College recruits and trains volunteer mentors throughout the country. Mentors work with high school students interested in attending college and provide one-on-one virtual mentoring to help them access and pay for college. From the spring semester of junior year until application deadlines are complete, Strive mentors and mentees meet for about one hour each week online. Mentoring pairs work through the year-long Strive for College curriculum, developed with college deans and admissions administrators, to cover every aspect of researching, applying to and paying for a student’s best-fit, four-year college.

Weird Enough Productions

Grant in 2018
Weird Enough Productions is a multimedia production company focused on creating original content and promoting media literacy education. The company aims to address media misrepresentation by developing projects that highlight the complexities of the human experience, particularly from perspectives often ignored by mainstream media. Through its initiatives, Weird Enough Productions empowers children and communities to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media content, ultimately enhancing traditional literacy and improving standardized test scores. By fostering creativity and collaboration, the company seeks to challenge stereotypes and provide valuable educational resources.

Reasoning Mind

Grant in 2017
Reasoning Mind, Inc. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 and based in Houston, Texas, dedicated to delivering high-quality mathematics education solutions for elementary and middle school students. As a subsidiary of Imagine Learning, the organization focuses on developing blended learning programs that integrate internet-based learning environments with classroom instruction. Reasoning Mind collaborates with schools to implement these innovative math education programs, providing resources and support to both students and teachers. With over 18 years of experience in the United States, Reasoning Mind aims to ensure that every child has access to an exceptional math education.

Mawi

Grant in 2017
Mawi Learning was founded by Mawi Asgedom, an Ethiopian refugee who persevered against all odds to successfully graduate from Harvard. Mawi chronicled his family’s journey in his best-selling autobiography Of Beetles and Angels and in speeches to over a million students and teachers worldwide.

MIND Research Institute

Grant in 2017
The MIND Research Institute enables elementary and primary students to reach their full academic and career potential through developing and deploying math instructional software and systems - working closely with community leaders, school administrators and educators, and civic leaders and donors. As non-profit organization, MIND also conducts basic neuro-scientific, mathematics, and education research to improve math education and advance scientific understanding.

Waterford.org

Grant in 2017
Waterford.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to achieving universal literacy for children by promoting equity, access, and family empowerment in early education. The organization develops innovative educational tools that create adaptive, individualized learning paths, fostering fluent reading and lifelong learning. By empowering parents as primary educators and equipping teachers with the necessary resources, Waterford.org enhances the educational experience for students. The organization currently serves over 300,000 children annually across the United States. Waterford.org's initiatives have garnered support from various governmental and philanthropic entities, highlighting its commitment to improving educational outcomes through effective teaching models and technology-driven solutions.

Brightwheel

Grant in 2017
Brightwheel is a comprehensive software platform designed for early education providers such as preschools, childcare centers, camps, and afterschool programs. It streamlines daily operations by automating billing, managing admissions, tracking attendance, and facilitating real-time communication between staff and families.

codeSpark

Grant in 2017
codeSpark is an educational technology company based in Pasadena, California, founded in 2014. It specializes in developing interactive learning games aimed at teaching computer science concepts to children aged five to eight. The company's flagship product, codeSpark Academy, features The Foos, a self-directed game platform that accommodates various learning styles and fosters inclusive education. With a blend of structured challenges and imaginative play, the platform enables children to master fundamental programming skills and apply them creatively by designing, coding, and sharing their own video games. codeSpark's games have reached millions of children across 201 countries, highlighting its global impact on early childhood education in technology.

Family Engagement Lab

Grant in 2017
Family Engagement Lab, LLC is a company dedicated to enhancing student outcomes in underserved communities through a focus on family engagement. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the company has developed an online platform featuring FASTalk, a text-based program that enables teachers to connect with families. This program aligns with curriculum-driven, at-home activities that foster students' social, emotional, and academic growth. In addition to facilitating teacher-family communication, the platform offers resources for families to build critical academic skills and cultivate effective learning habits and mindsets. By collaborating with various partners, Family Engagement Lab aims to understand and address the barriers to family engagement, providing solutions that respect and honor the diversity of families and communities.

WriteReader

Grant in 2017
WriteReader is an educational platform that teaches children reading skills by encouraging them to write their own digital books. It enables users to take pictures and compose stories, fostering both literacy and digital writing abilities.

Cognitive ToyBox

Grant in 2017
Cognitive ToyBox, Inc. is a company focused on enhancing early childhood education through the development of evidence-based games and applications designed to assess kindergarten readiness in children. Founded by Tammy Kwan and Dr. Brenden Lake in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company creates technology that combines game-based education with observational assessments. This hybrid platform allows teachers and schools to track children's cognitive skills and number foundations in real time, providing valuable insights to improve learning outcomes. Supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, Cognitive ToyBox aims to ensure that all children are prepared to succeed when they enter kindergarten. The company's solutions are accessible on both Android and iOS mobile platforms.

Sparkler

Grant in 2017
Sparkler is a mobile application designed to enhance early childhood learning and development for parents, pediatricians, teachers, and young children. The platform provides education organizations and employers serving families with tools that harness the principles of early child and brain development. Through its enterprise solutions, Sparkler empowers parents, grandparents, and caregivers by offering personalized content, coaching, and resources aimed at improving child outcomes. The company collaborates with educational, healthcare, and social service organizations to equip families with the necessary tools to support healthy child development, ultimately preparing children for learning and life.

Learning Genie

Grant in 2017
Learning Genie provides a parent-teacher engagement platform for early childhood education, offering portfolio and assessment tools for documenting child development, observation, and rating to meet reporting requirements for funded programs. The platform supports two-way communication between teachers and families, enabling authentic assessments, analytical reporting, and personalized lesson planning. It includes a daily reporting feature that involves families by sharing learning content such as ebooks, songs, and interactive media, along with parenting tips, to strengthen home-school connections and engage parents in their children's learning. The solution helps preschools and kindergartens optimize operations, track progress, securely share information, and improve early learning outcomes through enhanced family involvement and evidence-based documentation.

Peekapak

Grant in 2017
Peekapak Inc. is a Toronto-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in a digital language arts-based character education program aimed at children. The platform focuses on enhancing social-emotional learning by providing educators and parents with engaging tools to teach essential skills such as empathy, teamwork, and self-regulation. Peekapak's award-winning resources include digital stories and lessons that align with educational standards, making it easier for teachers to integrate character education into their classrooms. The program is designed to foster compassionate and empathetic behavior in children, helping them develop into successful individuals. By combining educational expertise with innovative technology, Peekapak offers a unique and effective approach to character education for both in-class and at-home learning environments.

AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation

Grant in 2017
AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation is an educational institution based in Washington, D.C., founded in 1996. It operates seven public charter preschool campuses that serve as models for effective teaching and learning. The institute emphasizes instructional quality, a standards-based curriculum, quality classroom environments, and a commitment to data-driven decision-making. In addition to its preschool operations, AppleTree includes a research and development component aimed at enhancing educational practices. Through its innovative approach, AppleTree seeks to improve early childhood education and foster positive outcomes for children.

Teachley

Grant in 2017
Teachley develops educational applications grounded in cognitive science research. It focuses on foundational math concepts, offering iPad apps like 'Addimal Adventure' for K-2 addition and 'Mt. Multiplis' for complex multiplication strategies. Teachley Analytics helps educators track student progress and differentiate instruction.

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.

Majorwise

Pre Seed Round in 2017
Majorwise’s mission is to revolutionize how students find jobs out of high school. Majorwise was started by Peter Silverman and Max Robbins in December of 2015. Peter and Max were college roommates at the University of Vermont, and both were having trouble finding local jobs for the summer related to their major. Peter ended up getting a digital marketing internship in Boston, and Max was a waiter in Cape Cod. Neither of us could believe there were no local jobs we could find. So, we started investigating where all these jobs are. It turned out, most of the companies in Vermont are small, as in less than 10 employees. These businesses don’t normally hire students for internships because internships are often too big of commitments. They do need help executing marketing strategies, making graphics, and communicating with customers, but they can’t afford that for 30 hours a week. Figuring this out, Peter and Max created a simple job board called BeaconVT to help Vermont students find local jobs, internships, projects, and gigs.

PhET

Grant in 2017
PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations. They extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. These tests include student interviews and observation of simulation use in classrooms. The simulations are written in Java, Flash or HTML5, and can be run online or downloaded to your computer. All simulations are open source. Multiple sponsors support the PhET project, enabling these resources to be free to all students and teachers.

ExceptionALLY

Grant in 2017
ExceptionALLY is a company focused on providing personalized solutions to assist parents in navigating the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process for their children. It aims to empower parents by helping them understand and organize the necessary information to advocate effectively for their child's educational needs. ExceptionALLY offers collaborative educational assistance services that include tailored recommendations for accommodations, modifications, and goals specific to each child's requirements. By facilitating better communication and understanding of the special education process, the company enables parents to ensure their children receive the appropriate support and resources needed for their academic success.

Education Modified

Grant in 2017
Education Modified LLC is a specialized education technology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2012. It develops the EdMod App, a research-driven platform designed to enhance educational outcomes for students with diverse needs, particularly in special education. The app offers educators easy access to evidence-based strategies, professional development resources, and workflow tools that monitor student progress. Its features include strategies tailored for ADHD, co-teaching, and Dyslexia professional development, along with a Learning Biography that supports curriculum enhancement and standards alignment. By combining insights from special educators with artificial intelligence, Education Modified aims to bridge the gap between compliance and effective classroom practices, enabling educators to better support students with varying requirements.

Branching Minds

Grant in 2017
Branching Minds is a cloud-based educational platform that enables schools to identify the root causes of students' learning challenges and tailor supports accordingly. The software gathers data on students’ observable behaviors through a questionnaire process to identify cognitive strengths and issues, and it algorithmically matches those findings with research-backed learning supports. It enables teachers, specialists, and psychologists to track observations, organize records, and generate reports, supporting instruction across response to intervention and multi-tier systems of support. The platform unites learning science and artificial intelligence to help educators and parents quickly understand cognitive and behavioral profiles and implement personalized interventions. Branching Minds was established in 2013 and is based in New York.

Enuma

Grant in 2017
Enuma Inc., established in 2012 and based in Berkeley, California, specializes in designing accessible games and applications that promote independent learning for children aged preschool through second grade. The company's flagship products include Todo Math, Todo Telling Time, Kid in Story, and Todo Number Matrix, each focusing on different aspects of math and language skills development. Enuma's mission is to empower all children, including those with special needs or limited resources, to become independent learners. Notably, the company won the Global Learning XPRIZE competition in 2019 for achieving the highest learning gains in a 15-month field test.

Zyrobotics

Grant in 2017
Zyrobotics LLC is an assistive technology company based in Atlanta, Georgia, that specializes in developing educational play applications aimed at children. Founded in 2013 as a spin-off from Georgia Tech Venturelab, Zyrobotics focuses on creating accessible tools for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. The company offers a range of products, including interactive math applications such as OctoPlus and OctoMinus, which are designed to reinforce core math skills while also improving fine motor skills and visual perception. Zyrobotics' innovative approach combines education and therapy, supporting children of all abilities in achieving their developmental milestones.

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.

Education Leaders of Color

Venture Round in 2017
Education Leaders of Color is an organization that ensures young people of color have the support they need. They elevate the leadership, voices, and influence of people of color in education and promote more inclusive and sustainable efforts to improve education. They enable them to become critical thinkers, have choices, capitalize on opportunities, and secure continuing economic advancement.

TCSC

Venture Round in 2017
TCSC is a movement dedicated to effective policy, excellent schools, competent operators, and well-informed communities. The Tennessee Charter School Association and Tennessee Charter School Incubator merged in 2013 to form TCSC, which has a long history of providing comprehensive support to Tennessee's growing charter sector since 1998 and is critical to its continued growth.

Education Reform Now

Venture Round in 2017
Education Reform Now helps to improve outcomes for students who have been historically prohibited and underserved so that the system accrues benefits for everyone. They provide education policies that empower students and enable them to fulfil their limitless potential.

CodeHS

Seed Round in 2016
CodeHS is a platform that provides a comprehensive K-12 computer science education solution for schools. It offers a web-based curriculum, a full coding learning management system, an online integrated development environment, and teacher tools to support instruction in programming, JavaScript, graphics and game design, data structures, HTML/CSS, and related topics. The service includes a free 6th-12th grade CS curriculum with additional paid features such as lesson plans, a gradebook, progress tracking, and dedicated support, along with professional development resources to help teachers deliver effective CS instruction.

Speak Agent

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Speak Agent is an education technology company that operates an adaptive audiovisual learning platform focused on vocabulary instruction for English and Spanish language learners. The platform enables educators to create and share customized interactive games and activities, define vocabulary sets from a bilingual word bank, and bundle games, videos, and activities into English, Spanish, or bilingual lessons assigned to students. It supports cross‑subject learning by adapting to curricula and current practices, delivering interactive experiences that aim to improve outcomes in language and STEM subjects. Founded in 2011 and based in Rockville, Maryland, Speak Agent seeks to close the academic achievement gap for English language learners and has earned recognition from education and research organizations.

StoryWorld

Grant in 2016
StoryWorld provides language learning through a range of stories. Additionally, they also offer embedded multimodal, multilingual, and multisensory tools that provide encouragement and support for a variety of learning styles.

Listenwise

Grant in 2016
Listenwise curates engaging non-fiction stories from public radio, transforming them into educational content. Its subscription-based e-learning platform enhances student listening skills and supports literacy development.

ZEARN

Grant in 2016
The only curriculum top-rated by EdReports that unites hands-on instruction and immersive digital learning.

ThinkCERCA

Grant in 2016
ThinkCERCA is an educational technology company that offers a personalized literacy platform aimed at enhancing students' reading, writing, and critical thinking skills through argumentative writing. The platform enables educators to design, share, deliver, and assess lessons while tracking real-time progress in reading and writing. It fosters collaborative discussions and debates in classrooms, allowing students to engage with various subjects through the process of argumentation. With a presence in all 50 states and 130 countries, ThinkCERCA has partnered with notable education leaders and has received recognition for its innovative approach, including being a finalist for the SIAA CODiE Awards and being featured by The Atlantic and EdSurge. The company has also been acknowledged by Common Sense’s Graphite as one of the best tools in educational technology.

Mathalicious

Grant in 2016
The World Is an Interesting Place. Math Class Should Be, Too. At Mathalicious, they think the world is an interesting place full of interesting questions. Do people with small feet pay too much for shoes? Do taller Olympic sprinters have an unfair advantage? How have video game consoles changed over time…and are they building the Matrix? They also think math class is the perfect place for students and teachers to explore questions like these, and that it can be the most interesting part of the day.

Carnegie Learning

Grant in 2016
Carnegie Learning is a publisher and education technology provider focused on mathematics education. It develops research-based curricula for middle school, high school, and postsecondary students and delivers differentiated instruction to schools across the United States to support math achievement and graduation readiness. Its education technology platform serves regional school districts with math curricula, textbooks, professional development, and data analytics services, emphasizing conceptual learning, developmental support, and project-based computer science content with adaptive, personalized instruction.

Motion Math

Grant in 2016
Motion Math Inc. is an educational game developer based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on creating engaging mobile games to help children develop a love for math and intellectual challenges. Established in 2010, the company offers a suite of movement-based games that facilitate the understanding of fundamental math concepts, particularly fractions, through interactive visuals and adaptive content. These games connect various representations of fractions, such as numerators, denominators, percents, and pie charts, to their positions on a number line, thereby enhancing learners' perceptual skills. Motion Math's offerings include over 900 levels of adaptive content accessible via web and iPad applications, aligning with K-6 educational standards and fostering math fluency and conceptual understanding based on growth mindset research. Since November 2017, Motion Math has operated as a subsidiary of Curriculum Associates LLC.

Kaizena

Seed Round in 2015
Kaizena is a student assessment platform designed to enhance the feedback process in educational settings. The company's software allows students to request and receive constructive feedback from teachers and peers on their work. By enabling users to provide relevant feedback, record voice comments, and evaluate students' skills, Kaizena fosters an environment where learners can continuously improve their abilities. This platform supports a natural learning approach by encouraging students to try, compare, and refine their skills, making the feedback process an integral part of their educational experience.

Tales2Go

Series A in 2015
Tales2Go Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, is an audiobook subscription service that provides educators, parents, and students with on-demand access to thousands of titles from leading publishers and storytellers. Founded in 2009, the company offers a mobile and desktop streaming solution designed to enhance literacy through audiobooks, which foster listening comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary development. By integrating audiobooks into educational settings, Tales2Go supports the Common Core Standards that emphasize the importance of listening skills in early literacy. The service is particularly beneficial in classrooms equipped with laptops and mobile devices, serving as an innovative upgrade for school media centers to engage students and improve reading outcomes.

CodeHS

Seed Round in 2015
CodeHS is a platform that provides a comprehensive K-12 computer science education solution for schools. It offers a web-based curriculum, a full coding learning management system, an online integrated development environment, and teacher tools to support instruction in programming, JavaScript, graphics and game design, data structures, HTML/CSS, and related topics. The service includes a free 6th-12th grade CS curriculum with additional paid features such as lesson plans, a gradebook, progress tracking, and dedicated support, along with professional development resources to help teachers deliver effective CS instruction.

Edcamp Foundation

Seed Round in 2014
A bit of history: back in late 2009, a group of passionate, dedicated Philadelphia area educators – most of whom who had never met in person, but were connected by social media – somehow found themselves together at an unconference called Barcamp Philly. Despite the name, there was no alcohol and no camping (“Occupy” style or otherwise). There was, however, intense excitement as the event began, the day’s conference schedule was created before our eyes, and sessions got underway. By the end of the day, we’d all attended many workshops, led a few of our own, and collectively reached a powerful conclusion:

Nepris

Seed Round in 2014
Nepris Inc. is a cloud-based platform that connects educators with industry professionals, enhancing the relevance of curriculum topics for students from K-16 and beyond. Founded in 2013 and based in Austin, Texas, Nepris matches the expertise of industry professionals with specific learning objectives, facilitating virtual interactions that bring real-world experiences into the classroom. The platform enables professionals to engage with students through discussions, project mentoring, virtual tours, mock interviews, and workplace experiences, thereby bridging the gap between education and industry. This innovative approach allows educators to leverage industry connections effectively, fostering engagement and providing students with valuable insights into potential career paths.

Newsela

Series A in 2014
Newsela is an educational technology startup based in New York that publishes online news articles daily to help students develop advanced literacy skills. Founded in 2013, the company takes real-time content from trusted sources and adapts it into learning materials tailored to different reading levels. Newsela offers a range of topics including war and peace, science, health, arts, and sports, providing digital content that enhances non-fiction fluency and critical thinking for students across various grades.

FreshGrade

Seed Round in 2014
FreshGrade Inc. is an online education platform based in Kelowna, Canada, founded in 2011. It is designed for teachers, parents, and students, facilitating enhanced communication and assessment of learning moments through various media, including videos, pictures, audio, and notes. The platform serves as an all-inclusive tool for classroom assessment and documentation, allowing teachers to engage with students effectively while providing parents with insight into their child's academic progress. FreshGrade aims to foster personalized learning and greater parental involvement, aligning with contemporary communication methods and technology usage. By offering resources for administrators, teachers, and parents, FreshGrade strives to improve learning outcomes and support student development.

Ellevation

Venture Round in 2014
Ellevation, LLC is an educational technology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing a web-based software platform tailored for English learners (EL) and the educators who support them. Founded in 2006, the company offers a comprehensive EL program management solution that organizes student data, facilitates essential monitoring processes, and aids in instructional planning for multilingual students. Ellevation's platform is designed to improve teacher practices and enhance student achievement by providing research-based instructional strategies and activities. Additionally, the company offers Ellevation Math, which equips English learners with the necessary tools to access grade-level math content. By serving public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, and students across the United States, Ellevation aims to foster a culture of accountability and support for the academic success of English language learners.

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.

Mystery Science

Seed Round in 2014
Mystery Science is an educational company that offers multimedia science and STEM lessons designed for K-5 students. The company aims to enhance children's curiosity about scientific subjects by providing ready-to-teach lessons that can be easily integrated into classroom settings. It addresses common questions that children ask about the world, having initially focused on the 150 most frequently posed science inquiries. By equipping elementary school teachers with engaging and accessible resources, Mystery Science fosters scientific inquisitiveness and helps students effectively understand and investigate academic concepts.

Mystery Science

Seed Round in 2014
Mystery Science is an educational company that offers multimedia science and STEM lessons designed for K-5 students. The company aims to enhance children's curiosity about scientific subjects by providing ready-to-teach lessons that can be easily integrated into classroom settings. It addresses common questions that children ask about the world, having initially focused on the 150 most frequently posed science inquiries. By equipping elementary school teachers with engaging and accessible resources, Mystery Science fosters scientific inquisitiveness and helps students effectively understand and investigate academic concepts.

Tales2Go

Seed Round in 2014
Tales2Go Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, is an audiobook subscription service that provides educators, parents, and students with on-demand access to thousands of titles from leading publishers and storytellers. Founded in 2009, the company offers a mobile and desktop streaming solution designed to enhance literacy through audiobooks, which foster listening comprehension, fluency, and vocabulary development. By integrating audiobooks into educational settings, Tales2Go supports the Common Core Standards that emphasize the importance of listening skills in early literacy. The service is particularly beneficial in classrooms equipped with laptops and mobile devices, serving as an innovative upgrade for school media centers to engage students and improve reading outcomes.

EdSurge

Series A in 2014
EdSurge, Inc., founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, operates a platform dedicated to providing news and information on innovation in education technology. It serves a diverse audience comprising educators, entrepreneurs, and investors, helping them navigate the edtech landscape. EdSurge offers a comprehensive database of educational technology products, facilitating access to independent reviews that enable schools and colleges to select appropriate tools for their needs. The organization publishes a weekly newsletter, hosts an array of events including summits and meetups, and manages a jobs board tailored for the education sector. Additionally, it runs the Edtech Concierge service to assist education leaders in making informed technology choices. By blending technology and journalism, EdSurge aims to promote the effective adoption of educational technology through impartial reporting and community engagement.

Kidaptive

Series B in 2013
Kidaptive, Inc. is an educational technology company focused on developing interactive learning content for preschoolers. Founded in 2011 and based in Redwood City, California, Kidaptive offers products such as Leo's Pad, a series of interactive educational applications, and Parent's Pad, an assessment tool designed for parents. The company’s Adaptive Learning Platform (ALP) aggregates observations from diverse learning contexts to create comprehensive profiles of individual learners, enabling personalized educational experiences. By leveraging innovative technology and insights from learning sciences, Kidaptive aims to enhance engagement, optimize learning outcomes, and foster a lifelong love of learning in children. The company's mission emphasizes empowering parents and educators with tools and insights to support early learning effectively.

Newsela

Seed Round in 2013
Newsela is an educational technology startup based in New York that publishes online news articles daily to help students develop advanced literacy skills. Founded in 2013, the company takes real-time content from trusted sources and adapts it into learning materials tailored to different reading levels. Newsela offers a range of topics including war and peace, science, health, arts, and sports, providing digital content that enhances non-fiction fluency and critical thinking for students across various grades.

Curriculet

Seed Round in 2013
Curriculet is a digital reading platform that enhances the educational experience for both teachers and students. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, Curriculet allows educators to create, customize, and share curriculum and lesson materials that align with Common Core standards. The platform also facilitates the purchase of ebooks for school districts, enabling them to expand their libraries and provide a broader selection of reading materials for students. By focusing on the integration of technology in education, Curriculet aims to make reading more enjoyable and engaging, recognizing the importance of reading as a foundational element of learning. The company operates as a subsidiary of Waterford Institute Inc. and was previously known as Gobstopper, Inc.

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 an educational technology company dedicated to enhancing writing skills for students in grades 4-12. Its web-based platform offers adaptive, engaging exercises and peer-review processes, along with detailed performance data for educators. Used in over half of U.S. school districts, NoRedInk aims to empower every student's writing potential.

Socrative

Seed Round in 2013
Socrative, Inc. is a technology company that offers an online smart student response system aimed at enhancing classroom engagement through interactive educational exercises and games. Founded in 2011 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Socrative's software enables teachers to conduct quick polling, utilize pre-made quizzes, and facilitate open response activities using laptops, smartphones, and tablets. The platform tracks student performance and provides real-time data, allowing teachers, parents, schools, and districts to personalize and improve learning experiences. As of July 2018, Socrative operates as a subsidiary of Showbie Inc.

Ellevation

Series A in 2013
Ellevation, LLC is an educational technology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing a web-based software platform tailored for English learners (EL) and the educators who support them. Founded in 2006, the company offers a comprehensive EL program management solution that organizes student data, facilitates essential monitoring processes, and aids in instructional planning for multilingual students. Ellevation's platform is designed to improve teacher practices and enhance student achievement by providing research-based instructional strategies and activities. Additionally, the company offers Ellevation Math, which equips English learners with the necessary tools to access grade-level math content. By serving public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, and students across the United States, Ellevation aims to foster a culture of accountability and support for the academic success of English language learners.

LearnZillion

Series A in 2013
LearnZillion, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Washington, District of Columbia, founded in 2011. It specializes in providing open and cloud-based curricula to schools, primarily focusing on mathematics and English. The company's platform offers a range of instructional materials, including video lessons and practice problems, which support teachers in delivering effective instruction and tracking student performance. LearnZillion's solutions are designed to cater to the specific needs of students, promoting interactive learning through task-implementation guides. Additionally, the company's services are accessible via a mobile application, enhancing the teaching and learning experience. As of January 2020, LearnZillion operates as a subsidiary of Weld North Education, LLC.

Tynker

Venture Round in 2013
Tynker is an online creative coding platform that aims to equip children aged 5 to 18 with foundational skills in computer science and programming. The platform offers self-paced courses for individual learners as well as a comprehensive curriculum tailored for educational institutions. Through its intuitive visual programming language, Tynker allows users to create a variety of projects, including web and mobile applications, animations, music, e-books, and games, while also enabling programming for robotics and drones. The organization's mission is to foster critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in children, preparing them for future career opportunities in a technology-driven world.

Ellevation

Venture Round in 2013
Ellevation, LLC is an educational technology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing a web-based software platform tailored for English learners (EL) and the educators who support them. Founded in 2006, the company offers a comprehensive EL program management solution that organizes student data, facilitates essential monitoring processes, and aids in instructional planning for multilingual students. Ellevation's platform is designed to improve teacher practices and enhance student achievement by providing research-based instructional strategies and activities. Additionally, the company offers Ellevation Math, which equips English learners with the necessary tools to access grade-level math content. By serving public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, and students across the United States, Ellevation aims to foster a culture of accountability and support for the academic success of English language learners.

Goalbook

Seed Round in 2012
Goalbook is a developer of a professional learning platform aimed at assisting educators in identifying learning barriers and implementing effective instructional strategies. The company offers the Goalbook Toolkit and Goalbook Pathways, which provide instructional support and facilitate the design of multiple pathways for learning. By integrating research-based strategies and model exemplars, Goalbook enables educators to plan specialized instruction that meets the diverse needs of their students. The platform not only supports individualized learning but also promotes universal design for learning, ensuring that all students receive the necessary support for their educational activities.

eSpark

Series A in 2012
eSpark, Inc. is an educational technology company that specializes in developing iPad-based applications for school students. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with an additional office in San Francisco, California, eSpark aims to enhance learning experiences through its innovative tools. The company's flagship products include Frontier, which motivates students to engage in writing, and eSpark, which offers differentiated instruction in mathematics and English Language Arts for elementary school learners. eSpark is committed to creating a student-centered learning environment, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their academic and personal aspirations.

EdSurge

Seed Round in 2012
EdSurge, Inc., founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, operates a platform dedicated to providing news and information on innovation in education technology. It serves a diverse audience comprising educators, entrepreneurs, and investors, helping them navigate the edtech landscape. EdSurge offers a comprehensive database of educational technology products, facilitating access to independent reviews that enable schools and colleges to select appropriate tools for their needs. The organization publishes a weekly newsletter, hosts an array of events including summits and meetups, and manages a jobs board tailored for the education sector. Additionally, it runs the Edtech Concierge service to assist education leaders in making informed technology choices. By blending technology and journalism, EdSurge aims to promote the effective adoption of educational technology through impartial reporting and community engagement.

Educreations

Series A in 2012
Educreations, Inc. is an educational software company based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2010. It provides a digital platform for iPad that empowers teachers and students to create, share, and collaborate on learning materials. The software allows educators to record their voice and iPad screen, creating dynamic video tutorials that can be enhanced with documents and images sourced from various platforms. This functionality supports engagement both inside and outside the classroom, facilitating communication with parents and capturing educational content. Educreations is dedicated to democratizing learning by enabling anyone to teach and learn through its open platform, which promotes self-paced education and the sharing of knowledge within a global community.

Engrade

Series A in 2012
Engrade, founded in 2003 by a high school student aiming to enhance communication with teachers, has evolved into a comprehensive learning management system. As a division of CTB/McGraw-Hill, Engrade offers a suite of web-based tools designed to connect school administrators, educators, students, and parents. Its platform facilitates online class management, enabling users to oversee curriculum planning, assessments, and communication effectively. Engrade provides real-time access to academic information, fostering collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the educational process.

LearnZillion

Seed Round in 2012
LearnZillion, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Washington, District of Columbia, founded in 2011. It specializes in providing open and cloud-based curricula to schools, primarily focusing on mathematics and English. The company's platform offers a range of instructional materials, including video lessons and practice problems, which support teachers in delivering effective instruction and tracking student performance. LearnZillion's solutions are designed to cater to the specific needs of students, promoting interactive learning through task-implementation guides. Additionally, the company's services are accessible via a mobile application, enhancing the teaching and learning experience. As of January 2020, LearnZillion operates as a subsidiary of Weld North Education, LLC.

ClassDojo

Seed Round in 2012
ClassDojo, Inc. is an online school communication platform founded in 2011 and based in San Francisco, California. The platform connects teachers, students, and families, fostering close-knit communities that enhance the educational experience. It allows educators to share classroom activities, including photos and videos, and facilitates communication through features like Class Story and private messaging with parents. ClassDojo aims to engage students and their families by providing a space where learning can be shared and celebrated, ultimately enriching the educational environment and promoting collaboration both in and out of the classroom. The company, previously known as Class Twist, Inc., rebranded to ClassDojo, Inc. in December 2017.

MasteryConnect

Seed Round in 2011
MasteryConnect is an educational technology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, founded in 2009. It specializes in developing an assessment and curriculum platform that supports educators in identifying levels of student understanding and personalizing learning. The platform allows teachers to administer formative and benchmark assessments, automate grading, and effectively monitor student performance. By providing tools for data evaluation, MasteryConnect enables educators to target interventions and enhance their teaching practices, ultimately driving student growth and facilitating communication with parents and administrators.

Roxbury Preparatory Charter School

Grant in 2011
Roxbury Preparatory Charter School is a community where students feel loved and nurtured so they can be their best each and every day.

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 provides a professional development platform for K-12 educators. The platform connects teachers with personal coaches to set development goals, create individualized learning plans, and refine teaching strategies. It also offers a searchable library of lesson plans, classroom materials, and instructional resources, enabling educators to share curricula and collaborate with peers. The company emphasizes research-based professional learning centered on student outcomes, offering defined learning pathways, self-directed courses, workshops, and job-embedded coaching, along with learning walks to guide district-wide improvement. Founded in 2008 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, BetterLesson supports districts and schools in building effective instruction that meets diverse student needs.

Education Elements

Seed Round in 2011
Education Elements partners with schools nationwide to create dynamic learning environments. They specialize in designing blended learning models tailored to each school's unique needs, combining expertise in education, product design, and change management. Their services include goal setting, instructional model design, content selection, professional development, and software platforms for personalized learning.

Concentric Educational Solutions

Grant in 2010
Concentric Educational Solutions, established in 2010 by David Heiber, specializes in enhancing educational environments. The company offers a range of services, including home visits, mentoring, tutoring, professional development, and support for student culture, special education, and mental health. These services aim to address barriers impacting students, families, and staff, fostering a positive school climate and improving learning outcomes.

Guaranteach

Debt Financing in 2010
Guaranteach is an online math tutoring platform that offers a comprehensive library of bite-sized video tutorials covering a wide range of mathematical topics, including fundamentals, geometry, calculus, and more. Founded in mid-2008, the company utilizes a community-sourced approach to content creation, allowing a diverse group of tutors to contribute videos that are subsequently screened by educational professionals to meet specific educational standards. This ensures that students have access to high-quality explanations tailored to their learning needs. Guaranteach's proprietary software personalizes the learning experience by analyzing student preferences and prioritizing video recommendations based on effectiveness. The company was initially seed-funded by Innosight Ventures and underwent multiple funding rounds before being acquired by Sophia Learning in 2011, which was later acquired by Capella University in 2012. Through its innovative approach to math education, Guaranteach aims to make learning math accessible and engaging for students.

The Achievement Network

Venture Round in 2009
The Achievement Network provides leadership development, instructional assessments, and academic strategy. Their services include professional development and coaching for teachers, data analysis and reporting, and technology tools and resources.

Academy for Urban School Leadership

Venture Round in 2008
Academy for Urban School Leadership is a NPO that offers educational assist services for lower performing schools. The organization focuses on creating schools by developing skilled teachers and transforming educational outcomes for students in the lowest performing schools. It also assists its students in improving academic achievements and increasing student engagement in educational activities. Academy for Urban School Leadership was founded in 2001 and is based in Chicago, Illinois.

Uncommon Schools

Grant in 2008
Uncommon Schools is a charter school. The school offers different educational programmes and academic disciplines. They provide an outstanding education that will prepare them to graduate from college and achieve their dreams. They offer educators training and development.

Acero Schools

Grant in 2007
Acero Schools is an operator of public charter schools focused on providing educational opportunities that empower students for lifelong success. Through its charter management organization, Acero Schools aims to transform minds by fostering academic achievement and personal development. The institution is dedicated to preparing students for future challenges by equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge. Acero Schools emphasizes the importance of cultivating discerning and capable individuals who can effectively navigate their educational journeys and contribute positively to society.

Green Dot Public Schools

Venture Round in 2004
Green Dot Public Schools is an educational institution dedicated to serving students who may struggle within the traditional school system. The organization focuses on providing opportunities for academic preparation and acceleration, particularly for those in underserved communities. By collaborating with families and local communities, Green Dot advocates for diverse school options tailored to student needs. Its educational services emphasize a rigorous curriculum complemented by academic counseling and support, equipping students with the skills necessary for success in college, leadership, and life.

Aspire Public Schools

Grant in 1999
Aspire Public Schools is a not-for-profit organization that operates 38 public charter schools across California and Tennessee, serving over 14,600 students in grades K-12. Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Aspire focuses on providing a rigorous education aimed at preparing students for college. The organization has achieved notable success, with nearly 100 percent of its graduating seniors being accepted into four-year colleges and universities over the past five years. In addition to its educational mission, Aspire runs the Aspire Teacher Residency program in partnership with the University of the Pacific, which trains individuals to become highly effective teachers. This program combines theoretical coursework with practical classroom experience, enabling residents to earn their teaching credentials and a master's degree in education while receiving priority for teaching positions in California and Memphis.
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