NewSchools Venture Fund

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.

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 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.

Centervention specializes in developing game-based online programs aimed at enhancing social and emotional skills for elementary and middle school students. Their offerings incorporate an intelligent social tutoring system that evaluates behavioral readiness and social-emotional competencies, allowing for the creation of personalized avatars for each child. These avatars engage students in a variety of simulated social scenarios, providing a practical platform for skill development. The interactive nature of the programs ensures that learning is enjoyable while automatically collecting data to enable educators to monitor student progress effectively. Centervention's approach allows educators to address individual student needs in a fun and impactful manner.

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.

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.

Purpose Project helps both children and adults in developing skills such as self-awareness, self-direction, and community impact. The company is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco that is supported by Plussed and IDEO.

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.

Beloved Community creates regional coalitions with common goals for economic equity, sustainability, and equitable population distribution as a result of diverse schools and communities. They provide industry cohorts, equity assessments, facilitations, DEI training, consulting, and online courses.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Spotlight is a business intelligence company based in Davis, California, that specializes in the education sector. The company has developed proprietary software that transforms educational data into natural language, producing narrative text-based reports and personalized videos for everyday users. This innovative approach aims to make complex data more accessible and actionable. Spotlight has established paid partnerships with prominent organizations in education, including ETS, the College Board, and NWEA, as well as significant school districts such as Oakland Unified, Long Beach Unified, and Green Dot Public Schools. Through its online education data analytics platform, Spotlight enables users to gain insights and enhance their educational experiences.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Kaymbu Inc. is a technology company that provides a cloud-based documentation and media management solution tailored for early education centers. Founded in 2012 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kaymbu enables teachers to document classroom activities through an iPad-based application, allowing for secure communication with families. The platform facilitates the capturing of photos and videos of significant classroom events, fostering stronger connections between home and school. Additionally, it offers features that allow teachers and administrators to access content via web or mobile devices, add contextual notes, and align documentation with various assessment frameworks or accreditation criteria. Kaymbu's tools are designed to enhance engagement and visibility in the learning process, ultimately strengthening school communities.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Timocco is a platform that uses motion-based technology to support children, including those with special needs, in developing core motor, cognitive, and communication skills through online virtual-motion games. The system offers a range of adjustable options that tailor activities to individual abilities, enabling physical therapists and parents to guide practice and help children perform everyday tasks more independently. The games provide a safe, engaging environment that targets therapy-related goals and emphasizes non-violent, age-appropriate play.

iTherapy specializes in innovative educational tools for students with autism and other learning disabilities. Utilizing multi-sensory technology, the company enhances communication skills through engaging, science-based methods, improving teaching outcomes.

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.

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.

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.

Kinems is a movement-based educational platform that combines computer-based learning games with therapeutic body movements to support students with disabilities. The platform integrates math and literacy content, offers Kinect-based games and a cloud-based monitoring system that tracks progress and documents interventions, allowing teachers, therapists, and parents to tailor settings to individual learning and development needs. It aims to improve attention, eye-hand coordination, and motor planning while aligning activities with state standards. Founded in 2013 and based in Athens, Greece, Kinems serves schools, healthcare professionals, therapists, and families seeking accessible, customized special education solutions.

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.

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.

VocaliD is a technology company that creates custom, natural-sounding digital voices for assistive communication. Using machine learning, proprietary voice blending algorithms, and a crowdsourced Voicebank, it can generate high-quality voices in hours rather than months. The company offers a text-to-speech mobile solution that enables users who rely on devices to speak to create digitized voices tailored to their vocal identity. Its voices integrate with vocal identity software and compatible devices to form digital vocal identities that reflect human speech. By simplifying voice creation and delivery, VocaliD supports people with speech impairments to express themselves and participate in everyday interactions with others and technology.

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 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.

TalkingPoints facilitates meaningful communication between educators, parents, and students by offering an AI-powered translation platform. This enables parents to engage with their children's education regardless of language barriers.

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.

Spotlight is a business intelligence company based in Davis, California, that specializes in the education sector. The company has developed proprietary software that transforms educational data into natural language, producing narrative text-based reports and personalized videos for everyday users. This innovative approach aims to make complex data more accessible and actionable. Spotlight has established paid partnerships with prominent organizations in education, including ETS, the College Board, and NWEA, as well as significant school districts such as Oakland Unified, Long Beach Unified, and Green Dot Public Schools. Through its online education data analytics platform, Spotlight enables users to gain insights and enhance their educational experiences.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

CueThink Inc. is a Boston-based company that provides a peer-to-peer platform aimed at enhancing math problem-solving skills for students in grades 4-12. Founded in 2012, CueThink's platform allows students to develop systematic problem-solving abilities, improve mathematical language, and build a repository of visual assessments. It also supports teachers by offering analytics on student progress and helping them meet Common Core standards, while providing parents with insights into their children's strengths and weaknesses. The company has developed a mobile application, Quantum, specifically for grades 4-8, which encourages collaborative learning and critical thinking. By integrating familiar social media and gaming elements, CueThink aims to engage students more effectively in their math education. The platform's development has been supported by grants and has shown promising results in classroom pilots.

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

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.

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 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.

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.