Lean Capital

Lean Capital, formerly known as Revolution Learning, is a venture capital and private equity firm established in 2008 and based in San Mateo, California, with additional offices in Austin, Texas, and Beijing, China. The firm specializes in early to mid-stage investments in the education technology sector, focusing on innovative learning content, platforms, and services. Lean Capital primarily targets companies that have developed or are in the process of commercializing innovative products in their home markets, particularly in emerging markets such as Latin America. The firm is dedicated to funding entrepreneurs who aim to enhance learning experiences through new technology platforms and applications, believing that advancements in education will play a crucial role in shaping the future.

Maia Sharpley

Partner

Paul Strange

General Counsel

Vinit Sukhija

Partner

Susan Wang

Principal

Past deals in EdTech

Podium Education

Series A in 2020
Podium Education, Inc. is an online education service provider based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2017, the company partners with colleges and universities to enhance undergraduate programs by integrating in-demand technology skills. Its mission is to help institutions expand access and increase enrollment while equipping students with the essential hard skills needed for successful employment outcomes. By focusing on the integration of practical skills into existing curricula, Podium Education aims to bridge the gap between academic preparation and the demands of the job market.

Podium Education

Series A in 2020
Podium Education, Inc. is an online education service provider based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 2017, the company partners with colleges and universities to enhance undergraduate programs by integrating in-demand technology skills. Its mission is to help institutions expand access and increase enrollment while equipping students with the essential hard skills needed for successful employment outcomes. By focusing on the integration of practical skills into existing curricula, Podium Education aims to bridge the gap between academic preparation and the demands of the job market.

Springboard

Series B in 2020
Springboard is an online learning platform that prepares students for the tech industry’s most sought after careers. With expert mentorship from top professionals, a bleeding-edge curriculum, and a network of support from day one, they make sure students have everything they need to excel in their program and in their next job. The platform one-size-fits-one approach is made for working professionals who are ready to level-up or make a major career shift. And our tuition back guarantee means students can take charge and invest in themselves. Springboard data science career track comes with a job guarantee, ensuring students secure a job within six months of graduation or get a full refund. The platform's self-paced courses offer students the opportunity to develop job-ready skills that they display in an industry-worthy capstone or portfolio projects.

Springboard

Series A in 2019
Springboard is an online learning platform that prepares students for the tech industry’s most sought after careers. With expert mentorship from top professionals, a bleeding-edge curriculum, and a network of support from day one, they make sure students have everything they need to excel in their program and in their next job. The platform one-size-fits-one approach is made for working professionals who are ready to level-up or make a major career shift. And our tuition back guarantee means students can take charge and invest in themselves. Springboard data science career track comes with a job guarantee, ensuring students secure a job within six months of graduation or get a full refund. The platform's self-paced courses offer students the opportunity to develop job-ready skills that they display in an industry-worthy capstone or portfolio projects.

Springboard

Series A in 2017
Springboard is an online learning platform that prepares students for the tech industry’s most sought after careers. With expert mentorship from top professionals, a bleeding-edge curriculum, and a network of support from day one, they make sure students have everything they need to excel in their program and in their next job. The platform one-size-fits-one approach is made for working professionals who are ready to level-up or make a major career shift. And our tuition back guarantee means students can take charge and invest in themselves. Springboard data science career track comes with a job guarantee, ensuring students secure a job within six months of graduation or get a full refund. The platform's self-paced courses offer students the opportunity to develop job-ready skills that they display in an industry-worthy capstone or portfolio projects.

Edunav

Series A in 2016
Edunav, Inc. specializes in developing academic planning and optimization software tailored for the higher education sector. Founded in 2013 and based in Cupertino, California, the company's flagship product, EduNav, utilizes advanced technologies such as Big Data, combinatorial algorithms, and machine learning to assist students in navigating their academic journeys effectively. EduNav enables students to determine optimal pathways to graduation, while also offering tools for degree, career, and transfer planning. Additionally, it provides predictive enrollment management solutions aimed at helping educational leaders make informed decisions. By focusing on improving student retention and ensuring timely degree completion, Edunav aims to minimize wasted credit hours and enhance the overall course catalog, thereby supporting colleges and universities in achieving their academic goals.

EdSurge

Series A in 2015
EdSurge is a prominent platform serving educators, entrepreneurs, and investors in the education technology sector. The organization offers a comprehensive database of edtech products and companies, along with daily news reporting focused on the education technology ecosystem. It provides independent reviews of education technology tools, assisting schools and colleges in selecting appropriate resources to enhance learning. In addition to its online presence, EdSurge hosts events such as the San Francisco education technology meetup and a series of nationwide summits, alongside the Digital Innovation in Learning Awards. The platform also features a jobs board and a service called Edtech Concierge, which supports education leaders in tool selection. Founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, EdSurge operates as a hybrid of technology journalism, employing a mix of technologists, educators, and journalists, with the aim of fostering informed adoption of education technology through impartial reporting and community engagement.

AltSchool Inc.

Series B in 2015
AltSchool Inc. operates a network of personalized learning schools for students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade, focusing on adapting education to meet the unique needs of each child. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the institution combines the expertise of educators, technologists, and entrepreneurs to create an educational environment that is responsive to students, families, and local communities. The schools utilize a tailored curriculum and a collaborative platform that fosters a greater impact on education by connecting individual institutions within the network.

Educents

Seed Round in 2015
Educents Inc. operates as an online marketplace for selling educational products to students, parents, homeschoolers, and educators in the United States. The company offers science kits, curriculum packs, books, art supplies, math and reading books, and others. It also provides digital products, such as downloads and online programs for international customers. The company was founded in 2013 and is based in San Francisco, California.

Edmodo

Series D in 2014
Edmodo is a global education network established in 2008, headquartered in San Mateo, California. It provides an online platform that facilitates communication and collaboration among educators, students, parents, and administrators, with a focus on enhancing the learning experience. The platform boasts over 77 million users across approximately 550,000 schools worldwide. Edmodo prioritizes the privacy of its users, offering a secure environment for sharing resources and educational content. The company also provides tools for school leaders to access analytics, deliver professional development, and conduct formative assessments, which aim to improve learning outcomes. By connecting teachers, students, and parents, Edmodo helps foster engagement and supports learners in discovering their passions and enhancing their skills. Edmodo operates as a subsidiary of Best Assistant Education Online Limited.

AltSchool Inc.

Series A in 2014
AltSchool Inc. operates a network of personalized learning schools for students from pre-kindergarten to 8th grade, focusing on adapting education to meet the unique needs of each child. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the institution combines the expertise of educators, technologists, and entrepreneurs to create an educational environment that is responsive to students, families, and local communities. The schools utilize a tailored curriculum and a collaborative platform that fosters a greater impact on education by connecting individual institutions within the network.

MasteryConnect

Series A in 2014
MasteryConnect is an educational technology company founded in 2009 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company focuses on providing tools that help educators assess student understanding and tailor interventions to meet individual learning needs. By leveraging data, MasteryConnect enables teachers to personalize learning experiences and evaluate their instructional practices. Its services are designed to enhance educational outcomes through innovative solutions that support both teachers and students.

EdSurge

Series A in 2014
EdSurge is a prominent platform serving educators, entrepreneurs, and investors in the education technology sector. The organization offers a comprehensive database of edtech products and companies, along with daily news reporting focused on the education technology ecosystem. It provides independent reviews of education technology tools, assisting schools and colleges in selecting appropriate resources to enhance learning. In addition to its online presence, EdSurge hosts events such as the San Francisco education technology meetup and a series of nationwide summits, alongside the Digital Innovation in Learning Awards. The platform also features a jobs board and a service called Edtech Concierge, which supports education leaders in tool selection. Founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, EdSurge operates as a hybrid of technology journalism, employing a mix of technologists, educators, and journalists, with the aim of fostering informed adoption of education technology through impartial reporting and community engagement.

MasteryConnect

Series A in 2013
MasteryConnect is an educational technology company founded in 2009 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company focuses on providing tools that help educators assess student understanding and tailor interventions to meet individual learning needs. By leveraging data, MasteryConnect enables teachers to personalize learning experiences and evaluate their instructional practices. Its services are designed to enhance educational outcomes through innovative solutions that support both teachers and students.

NovoEd

Seed Round in 2013
NovoEd, Inc. is a software company that operates a collaborative online learning platform designed to enhance the learning experience for diverse groups of learners. Founded in 2012 at Stanford’s social algorithm laboratory and headquartered in San Francisco, the company offers a software-as-a-service platform that fosters collaboration through project-based learning, mentorship, and feedback. NovoEd's solutions encompass a range of professional development areas, including leadership development, digital transformation, employee onboarding, and diversity and inclusion. The platform is utilized by various sectors, including consulting, retail, technology, healthcare, and education, both in the United States and internationally. NovoEd's unique approach combines experiential learning with analytical tools, enabling organizations to unlock collective knowledge and achieve measurable outcomes through purposeful practice and group collaboration. The company also provides consulting services such as instructional design and learning analytics to support its clients in maximizing their training initiatives.

eduClipper

Seed Round in 2012
eduClipper, Inc. operates an educational digital platform that allows teachers and students to create and manage virtual clipboards. Users can post links, images, videos, and documents, facilitating collaboration and content sharing in educational settings. Founded in 2012 and based in New York, the platform serves as a social web resource where users can collect, organize, and discuss educational content. It also supports the creation of digital portfolios, enabling users to showcase their work and foster social connections through the material they curate. By providing tools for exploring and sharing various resources, eduClipper aims to enhance the learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.

eSpark

Series A in 2012
eSpark, Inc. is an educational technology company that develops iPad-based applications aimed at enhancing the learning experience for elementary school students. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Chicago, with an additional office in San Francisco, eSpark focuses on creating engaging tools that motivate students to write and provides differentiated instruction in mathematics and English Language Arts. The company's flagship product, eSpark, offers personalized learning services tailored to individual student needs. eSpark is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their backgrounds, have the opportunity to achieve their educational aspirations.

Edmodo

Series C in 2012
Edmodo is a global education network established in 2008, headquartered in San Mateo, California. It provides an online platform that facilitates communication and collaboration among educators, students, parents, and administrators, with a focus on enhancing the learning experience. The platform boasts over 77 million users across approximately 550,000 schools worldwide. Edmodo prioritizes the privacy of its users, offering a secure environment for sharing resources and educational content. The company also provides tools for school leaders to access analytics, deliver professional development, and conduct formative assessments, which aim to improve learning outcomes. By connecting teachers, students, and parents, Edmodo helps foster engagement and supports learners in discovering their passions and enhancing their skills. Edmodo operates as a subsidiary of Best Assistant Education Online Limited.

Edmodo

Series B in 2011
Edmodo is a global education network established in 2008, headquartered in San Mateo, California. It provides an online platform that facilitates communication and collaboration among educators, students, parents, and administrators, with a focus on enhancing the learning experience. The platform boasts over 77 million users across approximately 550,000 schools worldwide. Edmodo prioritizes the privacy of its users, offering a secure environment for sharing resources and educational content. The company also provides tools for school leaders to access analytics, deliver professional development, and conduct formative assessments, which aim to improve learning outcomes. By connecting teachers, students, and parents, Edmodo helps foster engagement and supports learners in discovering their passions and enhancing their skills. Edmodo operates as a subsidiary of Best Assistant Education Online Limited.

MasteryConnect

Seed Round in 2011
MasteryConnect is an educational technology company founded in 2009 and based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The company focuses on providing tools that help educators assess student understanding and tailor interventions to meet individual learning needs. By leveraging data, MasteryConnect enables teachers to personalize learning experiences and evaluate their instructional practices. Its services are designed to enhance educational outcomes through innovative solutions that support both teachers and students.

Edmodo

Series A in 2010
Edmodo is a global education network established in 2008, headquartered in San Mateo, California. It provides an online platform that facilitates communication and collaboration among educators, students, parents, and administrators, with a focus on enhancing the learning experience. The platform boasts over 77 million users across approximately 550,000 schools worldwide. Edmodo prioritizes the privacy of its users, offering a secure environment for sharing resources and educational content. The company also provides tools for school leaders to access analytics, deliver professional development, and conduct formative assessments, which aim to improve learning outcomes. By connecting teachers, students, and parents, Edmodo helps foster engagement and supports learners in discovering their passions and enhancing their skills. Edmodo operates as a subsidiary of Best Assistant Education Online Limited.