Dunce Capital

Ender is a venture-backed startup based in Austin, Texas, focused on enhancing employability for children before they reach adulthood. The company has developed a competition platform that incentivizes kids to build apps, games, websites, and other real-world projects by offering cash prizes. This innovative learn-to-earn model allows children to create a portfolio while earning money, fostering both skill development and financial literacy. With a team of dedicated professionals from the fields of game development, education, engineering, and design, Ender aims to empower the next generation through practical experience and competitive engagement.

FourthRev is an educational services provider focused on addressing the global shortage of digital skills by collaborating with leading companies and universities. The company develops industry-relevant programs, including micro-credentials and degree courses, co-creating content and curriculum with prominent technology firms such as AWS, Salesforce, and Tableau. These programs are delivered by university partners, either as standalone courses or integrated into existing offerings. FourthRev also facilitates connections between learners and employers within its partners' ecosystems, enhancing the overall student experience and improving graduate outcomes by providing a blend of theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and practical applications.

Kritik is an online learning platform designed to enhance students' critical thinking abilities. It facilitates collaborative learning through peer evaluations, discussions, and gamification, providing insights and analytics for educators.

Maven is a new platform for cohort-based courses started by the founders of Udemy, altMBA and Socratic. We partner with the world’s best instructors to offer live, online, community-driven courses to transform your career.

Prendea offers live afterschool classes to Spanish-speaking kids ages 4 to 15. For a fixed monthly price, kids can choose as many classes as they like from our large selection that ranges from TikTok choreography to astronomy.

Abwaab Technologies operates an online learning platform for secondary school students, offering short, concept-based video lessons, visualized learning journeys, continuous assessment, and performance analytics across subjects such as math, physics, chemistry, and biology. The platform supports self-paced study, access to expert tutors, and ongoing progress tracking, enabling students to learn anytime and anywhere. Founded in 2019 and based in Amman, Jordan, Abwaab focuses on making the learning experience engaging through technology and curated content.

Contra is a networking platform founded in 2019 by Ben Huffman and Gajus Kuizinas. It connects independent professionals with flexible work opportunities through an exclusive community, enabling freelancers to earn a living on their own terms.

Beanstalk provides an interactive online learning platform for children, offering age-specific live classes taught by experienced educators. Its innovative use of real-time animation and AI brings beloved characters to life, allowing kids to learn anytime, anywhere.

FourthRev is an educational services provider focused on addressing the global shortage of digital skills by collaborating with leading companies and universities. The company develops industry-relevant programs, including micro-credentials and degree courses, co-creating content and curriculum with prominent technology firms such as AWS, Salesforce, and Tableau. These programs are delivered by university partners, either as standalone courses or integrated into existing offerings. FourthRev also facilitates connections between learners and employers within its partners' ecosystems, enhancing the overall student experience and improving graduate outcomes by providing a blend of theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and practical applications.

GetSetUp, Inc. is an online platform that connects seniors with their peers to facilitate private and engaging lessons on frequently used online tools. Founded in 2019 and based in San Francisco, the platform offers a variety of classes aimed at enhancing the digital skills of older adults. These classes cover essential topics such as e-commerce, personal marketing, website development, government services, health and wellness, and technology usage. GetSetUp's mission is to empower older adults by providing them with the skills necessary to lead fulfilling, independent, and socially connected lives through learning. The company was formerly known as Walkabout Inc. before rebranding in January 2020.

HaikuJAM is a mobile application that facilitates collaborative haiku writing, allowing users to create poetry together by contributing lines in a shared creative space. Originating from the traditional Japanese form of poetry, haikus consist of three lines with a specific syllable structure, often concluding with an unexpected twist. The application serves as a platform for self-expression and stress relief, offering users a unique way to connect and engage in artistic collaboration. Through its interactive format, HaikuJAM fosters a community of creativity, encouraging individuals to explore their poetic abilities while enjoying the benefits of shared artistic experiences.

Beanstalk provides an interactive online learning platform for children, offering age-specific live classes taught by experienced educators. Its innovative use of real-time animation and AI brings beloved characters to life, allowing kids to learn anytime, anywhere.

MarketerHire LLC operates an online platform designed to connect businesses with freelance marketing professionals. Founded in 2018 and based in San Francisco, California, the company offers a streamlined process for businesses to hire pre-vetted marketers, providing access to a global talent pool within 48 hours. The platform caters to a diverse clientele, including early-stage startups, billion-dollar unicorns, and Fortune 100 companies, allowing them to meet their marketing needs through flexible engagement options such as part-time, full-time, or hourly arrangements. MarketerHire's mission is to democratize access to expert marketing talent, enabling companies to focus on product development while offering marketers the opportunity to earn additional income alongside their full-time roles. The platform supports remote work, allowing talent to operate from anywhere in the world.

Founded in 2015, Prenda is an educational technology company based in Mesa, Arizona. It facilitates weekly code clubs in libraries and schools, fostering collaborative learning of computer programming in informal settings.

SV Academy is a career development organization that expands access to technology-sector roles, focusing on sales and customer success. Founded in 2017, it partners with more than 400 SaaS employers to connect graduates from underrepresented backgrounds with opportunities in tech. The program offers accelerated skill-building, mentorship, and job placement assistance, along with post-hire support such as alumni networking and coaching. Its income-inclusive participation model and industry-readiness preparation reduce barriers to entry, enabling diverse professionals to pursue long-term career growth in competitive tech roles. Notably, 60% of its graduates are promoted in the first year, reflecting rapid progression for participants. The program has been recognized for innovation in education by Fast Company.

Founded in 2018, Sora Schools is an accredited online private high school based in Smyrna, Georgia. It offers project-based learning programs, live classes led by world-class faculty, and career mentorship to empower students to become changemakers.