NewSchools Venture Fund

NewSchools Venture Fund, established in 1998, is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming public education, particularly for underserved minority students in urban communities. Based in Oakland, California, with additional offices in Boston and Washington D.C., the organization invests in innovative education solutions, supporting both non-profit and for-profit ventures. NewSchools focuses on education technology, charter schools, and educational services, aiming to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap. Since its inception, NewSchools has invested over $180 million in more than 70 educational organizations, blending philanthropy and venture capital approaches. The firm provides grants, takes board seats, and invests in a select portfolio of education ventures, seeking to create scalable, high-quality solutions. NewSchools also actively shares its learnings, convenes educational leaders, and advocates for smart education policies.

Scott Benson

Managing Partner

Tonika Clayton

Managing Partner

Deborah M. McGriff

Managing Partner

Amy Omand

CFO

Kim Smith

Board Member and Co-Founder

Past deals in EdTech

OurWorlds

Grant in 2023
OurWorlds is an edutainment company creating technologies that empower communities to illuminate their narratives in immersive realities by geolocation in environments throughout the world, in order to inspire transformative new understandings of our collective histories; improve our education system; inform new approaches to environmental stewardship; and reframe a more equitable and just future.

Tutored by Teachers

Series A in 2022
Tutored by Teachers is an e-learning platform that connects students with certified teachers to provide customized online education. The platform aims to close the opportunity gap and promote equity in education by offering evidence-based, teacher-led virtual learning. It partners directly with schools to deliver supplemental, small-group instruction to high-need, underserved students. This approach not only enhances educational outcomes for students but also ensures fair compensation for teachers while creating pathways for them to advance into educational management roles. Through its national tutoring program, Tutored by Teachers seeks to improve access to quality education, particularly for disadvantaged communities, thereby contributing to the reduction of the achievement gap.

Centervention

Grant in 2019
Centervention specializes in developing game-based online programs aimed at enhancing social and emotional skills for elementary and middle school students. These interactive games not only engage students but also automatically collect data, allowing educators to monitor individual progress effectively. The programs include supplemental lessons that reinforce the learning experience, catering to the unique needs of each student. Centervention also features an intelligent social tutoring system that assesses behavioral readiness, creating personalized avatars for children. These avatars guide students through a series of simulated social scenarios, enabling them to practice and improve their social and emotional competencies in a fun and effective manner.

EduMotion

Grant in 2019
EduMotion offers transformative school programs, including SEL Journeys, a digital platform that connects students all over the world to cultural dance lessons and Social-Emotional Learning activities.

NexusEdge

Seed Round in 2018
NexusEdge, established in 2016 and based in Los Angeles, specializes in an AI-driven career navigation platform. It assists students in discovering their career paths and helps employers build a talent pipeline. The platform offers video mentoring, micro-credentialing, LinkedIn learning, and adaptive job board services, catering to high schools, community colleges, universities, and alumni.

ClassWallet

Seed Round in 2018
ClassWallet, founded in 2014 and based in Hollywood, Florida, offers a comprehensive funds management and tracking platform tailored for educational institutions and government agencies. The platform streamlines the management of public funds by minimizing paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing users to efficiently track classroom stipends, grants, donations, and other financial activities. ClassWallet's patented digital wallet technology ensures that funds are appropriately allocated and utilized, enhancing compliance while reducing costs and time associated with traditional methods. Serving clients across 32 states, ClassWallet has facilitated the effective use of over $2.7 billion in public funds. Its integrated marketplace includes partnerships with leading retailers, providing educators with access to essential resources. In 2023, ClassWallet was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and ranked highly among software companies by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500.

Spotlight

Grant in 2018
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.

Weird Enough Productions

Grant in 2018
Weird Enough Productions is a multimedia production company focused on creating original content that addresses media misrepresentation and promotes media literacy education. By utilizing creativity and collaboration, the company develops content that highlights the complexities of the human experience from perspectives frequently overlooked by mainstream media. In addition to producing engaging narratives, Weird Enough Productions aims to empower children by teaching them how to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media content. This approach not only enhances their media literacy skills but also contributes to improved traditional literacy and standardized test performance.

RaiseMe

Grant in 2018
RaiseMe is a financial aid information and networking platform aimed at improving access to higher education by providing scholarship opportunities. The platform allows students to earn "micro-Scholarships" throughout their high school years, based on individual achievements both in and outside the classroom. This approach addresses the limitations of traditional financial aid systems, which typically award assistance at the end of high school, often too late to influence students' college decisions. By enabling students to accumulate financial aid early, RaiseMe has facilitated the earning of over $2 billion in micro-scholarships from its university partners. This innovative model seeks to enhance educational pathways and support students in their academic pursuits.

Peekapak

Grant in 2017
Peekapak Inc. is a Toronto-based company that specializes in a digital language arts program focused on character education for children. Founded in 2013, Peekapak provides an engaging learning platform that combines digital stories and lessons with interactive games to teach essential social-emotional skills, such as empathy, teamwork, and self-regulation. The program is designed for both classroom and at-home use, enabling educators and parents to foster essential character traits in children. Developed by education experts, Peekapak's resources are standards-aligned and research-based, making it easier for teachers to integrate social-emotional learning into their literacy curriculum. The company has received backing from prominent educational organizations and has garnered attention in various media outlets, highlighting its innovative approach to nurturing compassionate and empathetic citizens.

Brightwheel

Grant in 2017
Brightwheel is a software platform designed to support early education providers such as preschools, childcare centers, camps, and afterschool programs. It facilitates teachers' daily management tasks and enhances communication with parents, providing them with detailed insights into their children's educational progress. Additionally, the platform automates administrative operations, streamlining processes for administrators. This comprehensive solution aims to create a seamless and personalized learning experience while keeping parents actively involved in their child's education.

Kaymbu

Grant in 2017
Kaymbu Inc. is a cloud-based documentation and media management solution designed for early education centers, facilitating connections among teachers, families, and administrators. The company provides an iPad-based application that enables educators to capture and document classroom activities through photos and videos, fostering secure communication with families. Teachers and administrators can access this content via web and mobile devices, allowing for the addition of contextual notes and alignment with various assessment frameworks or accreditation criteria. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Kaymbu aims to make learning visible and strengthen the relationships between home and school through its innovative platform.

Sparkler

Grant in 2017
Sparkler is a learning and development mobile application designed for parents, pediatricians, teachers, and children, focusing on early childhood development. The app offers tools and resources for education organizations and other employers that engage with parents of young children. By harnessing the science of early child and brain development, Sparkler helps caregivers, including parents and grandparents, optimize the early years of a child's life. The platform measures child development and provides personalized content and coaching to improve child outcomes. Sparkler collaborates with various education, healthcare, and social service organizations to equip families with the necessary tools to foster healthy child development and prepare children for future learning and life experiences.

Learning Genie

Grant in 2017
Learning Genie is a company that specializes in a parent-teacher engagement platform designed to enhance communication and collaboration between educators and families. Its tools facilitate the observation, documentation, and assessment of child development, making it especially beneficial for state and federally funded programs that need to comply with educational reporting requirements. The platform allows teachers to create evidence-based assessments, generate analytical reports, and develop personalized lesson plans. Learning Genie also features an interactive daily reporting system that goes beyond simple photo sharing, actively involving parents in their children's early learning experiences. By providing access to educational content such as eBooks, songs, and parenting tips, the platform fosters a stronger bond between parents and children, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of early education and enhance learning outcomes.

Teachley

Grant in 2017
Teachley, LLC is an educational technology company based in New York that specializes in developing math applications grounded in cognitive science research. The company's offerings include Addimal Adventure, an iPad app designed for students in grades K-2 that focuses on single-digit addition, and Mt. Multiplis, which teaches complex multiplication strategies to students in grades three to five. In addition to its educational applications, Teachley provides Teachley Analytics, a tool that helps schools assess student progress against Common Core standards, identify at-risk students, and customize classroom instruction. By focusing on foundational math concepts, Teachley aims to enhance students' conceptual understanding, fluency, and problem-solving skills, thereby promoting overall student achievement.

Cognitive ToyBox

Grant in 2017
Cognitive ToyBox, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing early childhood education by creating evidence-based games and applications that assess kindergarten readiness in children. Founded by Tammy Kwan and Dr. Brenden Lake in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, New York, the company develops mobile solutions for both Android and iOS platforms. Its technology combines observational methods with game-based learning, allowing educators to collect real-time data on children's cognitive skills and progress. Supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the Robin Hood Foundation, Cognitive ToyBox aims to ensure that all children are well-prepared for the challenges of kindergarten through innovative assessment tools and engaging educational experiences.

Family Engagement Lab

Grant in 2017
Family Engagement Lab, LLC is dedicated to enhancing student outcomes in low-income communities by fostering family engagement through its online platform. Founded in 2016 and based in San Francisco, the organization offers FASTalk, a text-based program designed to facilitate communication between teachers and families. This program provides curriculum-aligned activities that promote the development of students' social, emotional, and academic skills. Additionally, the platform equips families with strategies to support learning, focusing on building essential academic skills, cultivating positive learning mindsets and habits, and enhancing social and emotional competencies. By collaborating with partners, Family Engagement Lab seeks to identify barriers to family engagement and create respectful, inclusive solutions that honor the diversity of families and communities.

codeSpark

Grant in 2017
codeSpark is an educational technology company that creates engaging learning games focused on computer science concepts for children aged five to eight. Founded in 2014 and based in Pasadena, California, the company offers a platform known as codeSpark Academy, featuring The Foos, which combines structured challenges with creative play. This platform caters to various learning styles, enabling millions of children in 201 countries to learn programming and critical thinking skills. Through codeSpark Academy, children master fundamental computer science principles and apply their knowledge by designing, coding, and sharing their own video games. The company's mission emphasizes inclusivity and creativity, allowing young learners to explore and express their ideas freely.

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.

Kinems

Grant in 2017
Kinems Inc, established in 2013, is a Greek-based company that specializes in developing Kinect-based learning games for children with various learning disabilities and disorders, such as autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia. These games, including River Crossing, Mathloons, and over 30 others, are designed to engage children in therapeutic body movements while learning academic content. Kinems also offers a cloud-based monitoring and reporting system, enabling professionals to customize game settings according to individual children's needs. The platform serves teachers, healthcare professionals, therapists, and parents, aiming to empower special education students to reach their full potential.

iTherapy

Grant in 2017
iTherapy specializes in developing innovative technology aimed at enhancing communication skills for students with autism and other special needs. Founded by Matthew Guggemos and Lois Jean Brady, the company utilizes a multi-sensory approach that combines science, technology, and play to create educational tools. These tools incorporate AI-powered language-learning features and video self-modeling, facilitating improved teaching methods and learning experiences for individuals with learning disabilities. By focusing on the unique requirements of this population, iTherapy aims to significantly enhance their quality of life.

Branching Minds

Grant in 2017
Branching Minds, Inc. offers a web-based platform designed to assist educators in identifying and addressing students' learning challenges. Founded in 2013 and based in New York, the company's tool enables teachers and parents to gather data on students’ observable behaviors through a structured Q&A process, helping to pinpoint cognitive issues and strengths. The platform algorithmically matches students with research-backed learning supports and allows users to track observations, systematize record-keeping, and generate reports. By integrating learning sciences with artificial intelligence technology, Branching Minds empowers intervention teams and classroom teachers to effectively understand the root causes of students' difficulties, ultimately enhancing the response to intervention and multi-tier systems of support in educational settings.

Enuma

Grant in 2017
Enuma, Inc. is a developer of accessible, game-based learning applications aimed at helping children, including those with special needs, learn independently. Founded in 2012 and based in Berkeley, California, Enuma offers a range of products, such as Todo Math, which focuses on foundational math skills for pre-K through 2nd grade, and Todo Telling Time, designed to teach children about time-telling through engaging mini-games. The company also provides Kid in Story, a visual storytelling app that supports early literacy and social modeling, along with Todo Number Matrix, which challenges children with various mathematical concepts. Enuma's mission is to empower all children, regardless of their resources, to become confident and independent learners. In recognition of its innovative approach to education, Enuma won the Global Learning XPRIZE competition in 2019 for achieving significant learning gains in a field test.

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 Modified

Grant in 2017
Education Modified LLC is a company that focuses on enhancing educational outcomes for students with diverse needs through its EdMod App. Founded in 2011 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, the application offers educators access to research-based professional development, easy-to-implement strategies, and tools for monitoring student progress. The platform is designed to support teachers by providing critical information on special education, including ADHD and dyslexia professional development, and features that enhance curriculum and standards. Developed by special educators and leveraging artificial intelligence, the EdMod App aims to bridge the gap between compliance and effective classroom practices, fostering collaboration among educators to improve student achievements.

CodeHS

Seed Round in 2016
CodeHS, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that offers a comprehensive platform for teaching computer science in educational settings. Founded in 2012, it provides a web-based curriculum tailored for grades 6 to 12, covering various programming topics such as JavaScript, HTML/CSS, data structures, and game design. The platform equips schools with essential teaching tools, including lesson plans, grading systems, progress tracking, and professional development resources for educators. CodeHS aims to streamline the process of teaching coding and computer science, making it accessible and manageable for both teachers and students. Schools can access a foundational curriculum for free, while additional features and support are available through a paid subscription.

Talkingpoints

Grant in 2016
TalkingPoints is a messaging platform designed to enhance communication between teachers and parents, aiming to foster meaningful connections that support student learning. The platform utilizes AI-powered translation technology to facilitate conversations, allowing parents to engage in their children's education in their preferred languages. By enabling teachers to communicate effectively with parents, the service helps bridge language barriers, promotes understanding, and encourages active participation in the educational process. Through these efforts, TalkingPoints seeks to empower families from diverse backgrounds to become involved in their children's schooling, ultimately contributing to a supportive learning environment.

Speak Agent

Non Equity Assistance in 2016
Speak Agent, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Rockville, Maryland, that focuses on enhancing vocabulary instruction for English and Spanish language learners. Founded in 2011, the company offers an audiovisual learning platform that allows educators to create and share customized interactive games and activities tailored to the needs of their students. The platform features a bilingual word bank and multimedia library, enabling users to define custom vocabulary sets and develop online games and lessons in English, Spanish, or a bilingual format. Speak Agent aims to address the academic achievement gap for special populations, particularly English Language Learners (ELLs), by providing tools that facilitate effective teaching of academic vocabulary across various subjects. The company has garnered recognition and awards from educational organizations, reflecting its commitment to improving learning outcomes.

Spotlight

Grant in 2016
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.

CueThink

Grant in 2016
CueThink Inc. is a Boston-based company that provides a peer-to-peer mobile learning platform aimed at enhancing math problem-solving skills for students in grades 4-12. Founded in 2012 and incubated by PayPal, CueThink's platform allows students to develop systematic problem-solving abilities, improve their math language, and engage in collaborative learning by sharing strategies with peers. Teachers benefit from analytics on student growth and can align their instruction with Common Core standards, while parents can monitor their children's progress through portfolios showcasing strategies and feedback. The company's offerings include Quantum, an iPad application designed for grades 4-8, which supports the growing trend of one-to-one technology in classrooms. CueThink's innovative approach addresses the need for deeper learning in mathematics, leveraging students' familiarity with social media and gaming to create an engaging educational experience. The development of its platform was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation, and it has been successfully piloted in various classrooms.

Motion Math

Grant in 2016
Motion Math Inc. is a developer of movement-based mobile math games aimed at enhancing children's understanding and enjoyment of mathematics. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, the company creates engaging educational games that help students master challenging K-6 math standards through interactive visuals and an innovative learning model. The games focus on building math fluency and conceptual understanding, utilizing a growth mindset approach to foster a love for intellectual challenges. Motion Math's products enable learners to perceive and estimate various representations of fractions, such as numerators, denominators, percents, decimals, and pie charts, by connecting these concepts to their positions on a number line. As of November 2017, Motion Math operates as a subsidiary of Curriculum Associates LLC.

ZEARN

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

Kaizena

Seed Round in 2015
Kaizena operates a student assessment platform designed to enhance the feedback process in educational settings. The platform enables students to request feedback from teachers and peers on their work, fostering a continuous learning cycle. Users can provide relevant feedback, record voice comments, and assess students on various skills demonstrated in their assignments. By facilitating productive feedback, Kaizena supports learners in their pursuit of improvement across different disciplines, making the feedback process an integral part of their educational experience.

ClassWallet

Seed Round in 2015
ClassWallet, founded in 2014 and based in Hollywood, Florida, offers a comprehensive funds management and tracking platform tailored for educational institutions and government agencies. The platform streamlines the management of public funds by minimizing paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing users to efficiently track classroom stipends, grants, donations, and other financial activities. ClassWallet's patented digital wallet technology ensures that funds are appropriately allocated and utilized, enhancing compliance while reducing costs and time associated with traditional methods. Serving clients across 32 states, ClassWallet has facilitated the effective use of over $2.7 billion in public funds. Its integrated marketplace includes partnerships with leading retailers, providing educators with access to essential resources. In 2023, ClassWallet was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and ranked highly among software companies by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500.

Zaption

Seed Round in 2015
Zaption, Inc. operates an online platform that transforms passive video content into active learning experiences through interactive video tools. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, Zaption provides educators—including teachers, trainers, and instructional designers—with intuitive authoring tools to enhance existing online videos from sources like YouTube and Vimeo. Users can easily incorporate images, text, quiz questions, and discussions into these videos, creating customized interactive lessons. These "learning tours" can be shared privately or embedded within various learning management systems. Additionally, Zaption's analytics feature tracks learner engagement, offering educators immediate data to improve instruction and personalize learning experiences. The platform is compatible with all major web browsers and includes a native app for iPhones and iPads. As of June 30, 2016, Zaption operates as a subsidiary of Workday, Inc.

Tales2Go

Series A in 2015
Tales2Go Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, offers a subscription-based mobile audiobook service that provides educators, parents, and students with on-demand access to a vast library of audiobook titles. Founded in 2009, the platform streams thousands of audiobooks from leading publishers directly to desktops and mobile devices, making it a valuable resource for classrooms. Recognizing the importance of listening skills in literacy development, Tales2Go supports educational initiatives by enhancing students' reading comprehension and vocabulary through engaging audio content. This innovative approach aligns with contemporary educational standards, which emphasize the integration of audiobooks in literacy programs, particularly for younger students. As schools increasingly adopt technology, Tales2Go serves as an effective solution for modernizing media centers and improving reading outcomes.

CodeHS

Seed Round in 2015
CodeHS, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company that offers a comprehensive platform for teaching computer science in educational settings. Founded in 2012, it provides a web-based curriculum tailored for grades 6 to 12, covering various programming topics such as JavaScript, HTML/CSS, data structures, and game design. The platform equips schools with essential teaching tools, including lesson plans, grading systems, progress tracking, and professional development resources for educators. CodeHS aims to streamline the process of teaching coding and computer science, making it accessible and manageable for both teachers and students. Schools can access a foundational curriculum for free, while additional features and support are available through a paid subscription.

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.

SchoolMint

Seed Round in 2014
SchoolMint is a cloud-based platform designed to streamline student enrollment and school choice for PreK-12 educational institutions globally. Founded in 2013, the company has been adopted by over 6,000 schools, offering solutions for student registration management, application processing, lottery coordination, and digital documentation. The platform is accessible both online and via mobile devices, allowing for seamless integration with leading student information systems. By transforming the enrollment experience, SchoolMint facilitates improved communication between parents and schools throughout the admission process, making it easier for independent, charter, and district schools to manage student admissions effectively.

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 communication, assessment, and documentation of learning moments through multimedia such as videos, pictures, and notes. The platform enhances parental engagement by providing insights into their child's classroom progress and fosters personalized learning experiences. By enabling real-time assessment and collaboration, FreshGrade aims to improve learning outcomes for students and support the evolution of education in a manner that aligns with contemporary communication practices.

Ellevation

Venture Round in 2014
Ellevation, LLC is a software development company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in educational technology for English language learners (ELL). It offers a web-based platform designed to support educators in managing and enhancing the educational experience for multilingual students. The Ellevation program organizes essential student data, facilitates critical monitoring and reporting processes, and aids in instructional planning. Additionally, it provides research-based instructional practices and activities to assist teachers in effectively teaching English learners. The company's offerings include Ellevation Math, which helps students access grade-level math content. Ellevation serves a diverse range of clients, including public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, principals, and students throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the company was previously known as ESL Innovations, Inc. before rebranding in 2011.

Tuva Labs

Seed Round in 2014
Tuva Labs provides data literacy solutions for K-12 schools, businesses, and organizations working in sustainable development. It offers Tuva, a data literacy platform that enables teachers to use interactive, visual graphing tools and curated datasets to teach problem solving, modeling, evidence-based thinking and other essential skills. The company's Tuva provides a library of modules and lessons that enables participants to learn foundational concepts in data, statistics, and analytics in various languages, such as English, Spanish, and Arabic. Tuva Labs was founded in 2012 and is based in New York.

ClassWallet

Pre Seed Round in 2014
ClassWallet, founded in 2014 and based in Hollywood, Florida, offers a comprehensive funds management and tracking platform tailored for educational institutions and government agencies. The platform streamlines the management of public funds by minimizing paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing users to efficiently track classroom stipends, grants, donations, and other financial activities. ClassWallet's patented digital wallet technology ensures that funds are appropriately allocated and utilized, enhancing compliance while reducing costs and time associated with traditional methods. Serving clients across 32 states, ClassWallet has facilitated the effective use of over $2.7 billion in public funds. Its integrated marketplace includes partnerships with leading retailers, providing educators with access to essential resources. In 2023, ClassWallet was recognized on the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and ranked highly among software companies by Deloitte's Technology Fast 500.

Tales2Go

Seed Round in 2014
Tales2Go Inc., based in Bethesda, Maryland, offers a subscription-based mobile audiobook service that provides educators, parents, and students with on-demand access to a vast library of audiobook titles. Founded in 2009, the platform streams thousands of audiobooks from leading publishers directly to desktops and mobile devices, making it a valuable resource for classrooms. Recognizing the importance of listening skills in literacy development, Tales2Go supports educational initiatives by enhancing students' reading comprehension and vocabulary through engaging audio content. This innovative approach aligns with contemporary educational standards, which emphasize the integration of audiobooks in literacy programs, particularly for younger students. As schools increasingly adopt technology, Tales2Go serves as an effective solution for modernizing media centers and improving reading outcomes.

BrightBytes

Series B in 2014
BrightBytes Inc. operates a data analytics platform designed to enhance education by measuring and linking technology use to student learning outcomes. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, the company provides a SaaS-based solution that equips educational leaders, including government agencies, school districts, and institutions, with the tools to analyze and improve learning outcomes. Its platform aggregates and cleanses complex data from various systems, offering insights through intuitive infographics, actionable recommendations, and targeted reports. By delivering data-driven insights and prioritizing technology programs and professional development, BrightBytes enables educational stakeholders to effectively manage technology deployment and assess its impact on student achievement. The team comprises data scientists, educational researchers, developers, and data visualization experts dedicated to fostering school-wide improvements through evidence-based frameworks and peer networks.

EdSurge

Series A in 2014
EdSurge, Inc. operates a community focused on innovation in education technology, providing news, insights, and resources for educators, entrepreneurs, and investors. Founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, EdSurge features a product browser that allows users to filter information by subject, audience, and technology platform. The organization is recognized for its comprehensive database of edtech products and companies, as well as its regular reporting on the education technology ecosystem. EdSurge publishes a weekly newsletter, hosts events such as the San Francisco education technology meetup and a series of nationwide summits, and runs the Digital Innovation in Learning Awards. Additionally, it offers a jobs board and the Edtech Concierge service to assist education leaders in selecting appropriate tools. With a mix of technologists, educators, and journalists, EdSurge aims to foster the effective adoption of education technology through impartial reporting and community engagement. The organization has received venture funding and grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Kidaptive

Series B in 2013
Kidaptive, Inc. is an 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.

Securly

Seed Round in 2013
Securly, Inc., founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Jose, California, with additional offices in Charlotte, North Carolina; India; Mexico; Glasgow, Scotland; and London, United Kingdom, specializes in developing cloud-based filtering solutions for educational institutions. The company's platform is designed to ensure student safety online by providing web-filtering services that detect cyberbullying and self-harm behaviors through language-sentiment analysis. This enables teachers and parents to monitor and control the websites students access on school computers, both within the classroom and at home.

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 designed to enhance the educational experience for both teachers and students. It enables educators to create, customize, and share curriculum and lesson materials that align with Common Core standards. Additionally, Curriculet allows school districts to purchase ebooks at reduced costs, thereby expanding their libraries and providing teachers with a broader selection of reading materials. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, Curriculet operates as a subsidiary of Waterford Institute Inc. The platform aims to make reading more engaging and accessible for students, emphasizing the importance of effective curricula developed through collaboration among educators.

ReadWorks

Seed Round in 2013
ReadWorks offers free, research-based, classroom-proven lessons and online training to help K-6 teachers explicitly teach the component skills and strategies of reading comprehension, while also supporting the much needed development of background knowledge and vocabulary.

NoRedInk

Seed Round in 2013
NoRedInk is a web-based learning platform focused on enhancing the writing and grammar skills of students in grades 4-12. It offers engaging, adaptive exercises that are tailored to individual interests, such as sports teams and pop culture, which helps make the learning experience more relatable and enjoyable. The platform identifies grammatical errors in students' writing, provides tailored tutorials, and offers follow-up exercises to reinforce learning. Additionally, it delivers actionable performance data to teachers and administrators, enabling them to assess each student's strengths and weaknesses effectively. With its usage in over half of the school districts in the United States, NoRedInk aims to unlock every student’s writing potential through a modern approach to writing education.

Socrative

Seed Round in 2013
Socrative, Inc. is an educational technology company that offers an online student response system designed to enhance classroom engagement through interactive exercises and games. Founded in 2011 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Socrative provides teachers with tools for quick polling, pre-made quizzes, and open response activities that can be accessed via smartphones, laptops, and tablets. The platform tracks student performance in real-time, offering valuable insights that assist teachers, parents, schools, and districts in personalizing and improving the learning experience. In 2018, Socrative became a subsidiary of Showbie Inc., further expanding its reach and capabilities in the educational sector.

Ellevation

Series A in 2013
Ellevation, LLC is a software development company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in educational technology for English language learners (ELL). It offers a web-based platform designed to support educators in managing and enhancing the educational experience for multilingual students. The Ellevation program organizes essential student data, facilitates critical monitoring and reporting processes, and aids in instructional planning. Additionally, it provides research-based instructional practices and activities to assist teachers in effectively teaching English learners. The company's offerings include Ellevation Math, which helps students access grade-level math content. Ellevation serves a diverse range of clients, including public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, principals, and students throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the company was previously known as ESL Innovations, Inc. before rebranding in 2011.

Schoolzilla

Seed Round in 2013
Schoolzilla operates as an education technology company specializing in data management and analytics for K-12 districts. It offers Mosaic District Progress Monitoring, a configurable SaaS solution built on its proprietary Schoolzilla Data Warehouse. This platform ingests, transforms, and connects data from over 100 commonly used student information systems, assessments, and operational software, turning it into interactive reports and actionable visualizations. The primary goal is to empower district leaders with data-driven insights to improve student outcomes, reduce chronic absence, enhance assessment results, address equity gaps, monitor behavior interventions, and ensure students are on track for college and career readiness.

LearnZillion

Series A in 2013
LearnZillion, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Washington, D.C., that provides open and cloud-based curriculum resources to schools, particularly focusing on mathematics and English literacy. Founded in 2011, the company offers a platform that includes video lessons, practice problems, and instructional materials tailored to new educational standards. Its solutions are designed to support teachers in their instruction, allowing them to track student performance and address individual learning needs. Additionally, LearnZillion provides task-implementation guides that facilitate interactive learning between students and educators. The company also offers a mobile application to enhance accessibility and engagement. As of January 2020, LearnZillion operates as a subsidiary of Weld North Education, LLC.

Tynker

Venture Round in 2013
Tynker is a creative computing platform where millions of kids have learned to program and built games, apps and more. Tynker's mission is to provide every child with solid foundations in Computer Science, programming, and critical thinking skills to prepare them to become better architects of their future world. Tynker offers self-paced online courses for children to learn coding at home, as well as an engaging programming curriculum for schools. Tynker’s intuitive visual programming language enables kids to build web and mobile apps, design RPG and platformer games, control robots, program drones, and even modify Minecraft worlds.

Nearpod

Seed Round in 2013
Nearpod Inc. is a cloud-based educational platform focused on enhancing the learning experience in both traditional classrooms and distance learning environments. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Aventura, Florida, Nearpod enables educators to create interactive multimedia presentations that engage students and facilitate real-time assessment. The platform supports the synchronized use of mobile devices, allowing teachers to convert existing presentations into mobile-friendly content that promotes active participation. It features a variety of interactive tools, such as polls, quizzes, and drawing activities, that provide instant feedback on student performance. Additionally, Nearpod offers a certified educator community that provides webinars, lessons, and training materials, as well as a comprehensive lesson library covering topics like digital citizenship, social-emotional learning, and career exploration.

BrightBytes

Seed Round in 2013
BrightBytes Inc. operates a data analytics platform designed to enhance education by measuring and linking technology use to student learning outcomes. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, California, the company provides a SaaS-based solution that equips educational leaders, including government agencies, school districts, and institutions, with the tools to analyze and improve learning outcomes. Its platform aggregates and cleanses complex data from various systems, offering insights through intuitive infographics, actionable recommendations, and targeted reports. By delivering data-driven insights and prioritizing technology programs and professional development, BrightBytes enables educational stakeholders to effectively manage technology deployment and assess its impact on student achievement. The team comprises data scientists, educational researchers, developers, and data visualization experts dedicated to fostering school-wide improvements through evidence-based frameworks and peer networks.

Ellevation

Venture Round in 2013
Ellevation, LLC is a software development company based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in educational technology for English language learners (ELL). It offers a web-based platform designed to support educators in managing and enhancing the educational experience for multilingual students. The Ellevation program organizes essential student data, facilitates critical monitoring and reporting processes, and aids in instructional planning. Additionally, it provides research-based instructional practices and activities to assist teachers in effectively teaching English learners. The company's offerings include Ellevation Math, which helps students access grade-level math content. Ellevation serves a diverse range of clients, including public school districts, EL coordinators, specialists, teachers, principals, and students throughout the United States. Established in 2006, the company was previously known as ESL Innovations, Inc. before rebranding in 2011.

Goalbook

Seed Round in 2012
Goalbook is a provider of a professional learning platform aimed at assisting educators in identifying learning barriers and developing effective instructional strategies. The platform features the Goalbook Toolkit and Goalbook Pathways, which offer instructional support and facilitate the design of multiple learning pathways. By integrating research-based strategies and model exemplars, Goalbook equips educators with the necessary tools and training to create specialized instruction tailored to meet the diverse needs of students. Through its services, Goalbook promotes universal design for learning, enabling educators to enhance the learning experience for all students.

eSpark

Series A in 2012
eSpark, Inc. specializes in developing educational applications for iPad, aimed primarily at elementary school students. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Chicago, with an additional office in San Francisco, the company offers tools such as Frontier, which engages students in writing, and eSpark, which provides differentiated instruction in math and English Language Arts (ELA). eSpark's mission focuses on creating a student-centered learning environment, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their academic goals, regardless of their background or circumstances.

EdSurge

Seed Round in 2012
EdSurge, Inc. operates a community focused on innovation in education technology, providing news, insights, and resources for educators, entrepreneurs, and investors. Founded in 2011 and based in Burlingame, California, EdSurge features a product browser that allows users to filter information by subject, audience, and technology platform. The organization is recognized for its comprehensive database of edtech products and companies, as well as its regular reporting on the education technology ecosystem. EdSurge publishes a weekly newsletter, hosts events such as the San Francisco education technology meetup and a series of nationwide summits, and runs the Digital Innovation in Learning Awards. Additionally, it offers a jobs board and the Edtech Concierge service to assist education leaders in selecting appropriate tools. With a mix of technologists, educators, and journalists, EdSurge aims to foster the effective adoption of education technology through impartial reporting and community engagement. The organization has received venture funding and grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Educreations

Series A in 2012
Educreations, Inc. is an educational software company based in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2010. It provides a platform that enables teachers and students to create and share animated video lessons, facilitating self-paced learning and collaboration. The software allows educators to record their voice and screen on an iPad, import documents and images from various sources, and share video tutorials with their students. This tool not only enhances classroom engagement but also keeps parents informed and involved in the learning process. Educreations aims to democratize education by enabling anyone to teach and learn from a global community, thereby extending the reach of effective teaching practices.

Engrade

Series A in 2012
Engrade, established in 2003 by a high school student seeking improved communication with teachers, has evolved into a comprehensive learning management system. It connects educators, parents, and students through web-based classroom tools that facilitate the management of classes and provide real-time access to grades and information. As a division of CTB/McGraw-Hill, Engrade supports users throughout the educational process, from curriculum planning to assessments, enhancing the overall learning experience. The platform's development has been driven by user feedback, making it a valuable resource for managing educational interactions and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders in the learning cycle.

LearnZillion

Seed Round in 2012
LearnZillion, Inc. is an educational technology company based in Washington, D.C., that provides open and cloud-based curriculum resources to schools, particularly focusing on mathematics and English literacy. Founded in 2011, the company offers a platform that includes video lessons, practice problems, and instructional materials tailored to new educational standards. Its solutions are designed to support teachers in their instruction, allowing them to track student performance and address individual learning needs. Additionally, LearnZillion provides task-implementation guides that facilitate interactive learning between students and educators. The company also offers a mobile application to enhance accessibility and engagement. As of January 2020, LearnZillion operates as a subsidiary of Weld North Education, LLC.

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.

Grockit

Series D in 2011
Grockit is a pioneering online social learning company. Grockit has proven that people learn more, faster through combining social learning mechanics and multi-media learning content to help people teach and learn from others. Grockit.com offers Test Prep services for GMAT, IIM CAT, LSAT, GRE, ACT, SAT and AP Calculus and AP History tests. Grockit has built a social learning test prep platform for license and direct-to-consumer products. Florida Virtual Schools, KIPP Schools, Georgetown University and other schools have deployed Grockit services.

BetterLesson

Venture Round in 2011
BetterLesson, Inc. is a professional development platform designed for K-12 educators, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 2008, the company focuses on connecting teachers with personal coaches to set professional development goals and create tailored learning plans. BetterLesson offers a comprehensive database that allows educators to access lesson plans, classroom materials, and instructional resources, facilitating collaboration and sharing among peers. The platform emphasizes research-based professional development aimed at enhancing student outcomes, equipping educators with the skills necessary to foster meaningful, student-centered learning experiences. Through various offerings, including workshops, one-on-one coaching, and defined learning pathways, BetterLesson supports educators in navigating the complexities of modern teaching and achieving strategic educational goals.

Education Elements

Seed Round in 2011
Education Elements, Inc. is an educational consulting firm based in San Carlos, California, that collaborates with school districts to create and support effective learning environments tailored to the needs of all students. Founded in 2010, the company offers a range of services, including the design of blended learning models that consider school facilities, scheduling, and resources. Education Elements assists both new and existing schools in integrating technology and personalized learning strategies, ensuring that educators can better support students' individual learning styles and paces. Their solutions encompass a Hybrid Learning Management System, which facilitates online learning integration, and Touchpoint, a personalized learning platform that provides resources and timelines for districts. The firm works with various educational institutions, including public charter, district, and private schools, helping them enhance instructional practices and improve student outcomes across the country.

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 provides students, parents, and teachers with access to a comprehensive library of instructional videos covering a wide range of mathematical subjects. The platform features thousands of bite-sized videos that explain various math topics, including fundamental concepts, basic math, geometry, and calculus. Content is community-sourced and rigorously screened by educational professionals to ensure high-quality educational standards. Guaranteach's proprietary software tailors video recommendations to individual students' learning preferences, enhancing the effectiveness of the tutoring experience. Founded in mid-2008 and initially seed-funded by Innosight Ventures, Guaranteach underwent a second funding round in 2009 and was subsequently acquired by Sophia Learning in 2011, which was later acquired by Capella University in 2012.
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