Pearson plc, established in 1844, is a global learning company headquartered in London. It operates through segments: North America, Core, and Growth. Pearson provides educational products and services to governments, institutions, corporations, and professional bodies worldwide. These include courseware services, assessments, school operations, online learning services, software delivery, and academic institution services. The company's purpose is to add life to a lifetime of learning, helping people adapt to change and make progress in their lives. Pearson Ventures, its corporate venture capital arm, invests in innovative ed-tech companies to drive organizational learning and future-proof the company.
Senior Vice President of Product Management, Head of Pearson Israel
Vicky Guo
Senior Director, Ventures, Strategic Investments and Partnerships
Pedro Vasconcellos
VP Ventures, Strategic Investments and Partnerships at Pearson
Coram Williams
CFO and Board Member
Past deals in EdTech
HowNow
Series A in 2025
HowNow Ltd is a London-based EdTech startup that offers an interactive e-learning platform allowing real-time communication between experts and learners through live video lessons. Established in 2016, the platform facilitates face-to-face learning experiences across various fields, including arts and crafts, business, music, health and beauty, languages, and food and drink. With over 400 experts teaching in 33 countries, HowNow enables students to engage directly with instructors as if they were in the same room. Additionally, the platform employs artificial intelligence to provide tailored learning recommendations, supporting companies in their employee education efforts and enhancing overall productivity and skill development.
Acadeum
Series B in 2023
Acadeum, formerly known as College Consortium, is a developer of an Academic Sharing Platform that facilitates online course sharing among universities. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, Acadeum enables institutions of higher education to form course-sharing consortia, which include organizations like the Council of Independent Colleges and the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. The platform allows faculty to review and select courses from other participating colleges and universities, ensuring that these courses meet graduation requirements and can be eligible for financial aid. By leveraging interconnected networks, Acadeum aims to provide students with a broader array of educational options to support their academic success and enhance their pathways to graduation.
HowNow
Series A in 2023
HowNow Ltd is a London-based EdTech startup that offers an interactive e-learning platform allowing real-time communication between experts and learners through live video lessons. Established in 2016, the platform facilitates face-to-face learning experiences across various fields, including arts and crafts, business, music, health and beauty, languages, and food and drink. With over 400 experts teaching in 33 countries, HowNow enables students to engage directly with instructors as if they were in the same room. Additionally, the platform employs artificial intelligence to provide tailored learning recommendations, supporting companies in their employee education efforts and enhancing overall productivity and skill development.
Mondly
Acquisition in 2022
Mondly is a leading language education company that aims to transform how individuals learn languages through innovative technology. With a user base of over 30 million across more than 190 countries, Mondly offers a comprehensive range of language courses, including popular languages such as English and Chinese. The company utilizes advanced technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, speech recognition, and chatbots to create an immersive learning experience. This approach allows users to engage in lifelike conversations with virtual characters, enhancing the language acquisition process. Mondly's applications are available on multiple platforms, including web, iOS, and Android, and have received recognition for their effectiveness, including being named "App of the Year" by Facebook in 2017. Through its innovative tools and resources, Mondly aims to make language learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Smashcut
Series A in 2021
Smashcut is an education technology and content company founded in 2016 by Daniel Blackman, who previously co-founded Howcast and held executive roles at Google and YouTube. The company has developed a next-generation learning platform that focuses on video-centric and collaborative education. Smashcut partners with educational brands to create and implement customized online programs that emphasize real-time media-based instruction. Its platform features collaborative elements and allows for live one-on-one video sessions between students and instructors, enabling students to share, evaluate, and discuss their project-based work across various academic disciplines.
Spotlight
Acquisition in 2021
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.
Smart Sparrow
Acquisition in 2020
Smart Sparrow operates an innovative e-learning platform that allows educators and organizations to create interactive and adaptive courseware across various subjects, such as digital literacy, computer science, engineering, finance, and soft skills. Founded in December 2010 by Ariel Shoham, Dror Ben-Haim, Shaowei Ho, and Zack Belinson, the company is headquartered in Surry Hills, Australia, with an additional office in San Francisco, California. The platform features a user-friendly, drag-and-drop authoring tool accessible through any web browser, enabling educators to build customized courses, define personalized learning paths for students, and collaborate in real-time. Additionally, Smart Sparrow provides pre-made templates to streamline the course creation process, serving a diverse range of institutions both locally and internationally.
Knowledge to Practice
Venture Round in 2020
Knowledge to Practice is a company focused on enhancing postgraduate medical education through innovative education technology. Founded in 2014 and based in Bethesda, United States, it provides self-directed learning solutions, assessment tools to identify knowledge gaps, and content modules for repeated review. The platform is designed to assist clinical leaders in delivering personalized curricula that utilize advanced learning techniques. By improving clinical judgment, critical thinking, and patient care, Knowledge to Practice aims to enable physicians to enhance their performance and reduce variations in care.
Knowledge to Practice
Venture Round in 2019
Knowledge to Practice is a company focused on enhancing postgraduate medical education through innovative education technology. Founded in 2014 and based in Bethesda, United States, it provides self-directed learning solutions, assessment tools to identify knowledge gaps, and content modules for repeated review. The platform is designed to assist clinical leaders in delivering personalized curricula that utilize advanced learning techniques. By improving clinical judgment, critical thinking, and patient care, Knowledge to Practice aims to enable physicians to enhance their performance and reduce variations in care.
Lumerit Education
Acquisition in 2019
Lumerit Education, LLC specializes in creating customized degree and course progression plans tailored to individual student needs, including their goals, available time, financial considerations, and academic interests. The company offers the Lumerit Scholar program, which provides a flexible pathway for both full-time and part-time students to earn a bachelor's degree. Additionally, Lumerit provides the Degree Manager software platform, enabling students to explore various options for obtaining college credits while pursuing their personal passions. Since its founding in 2004, Lumerit Education has supported over 11,000 students across all 50 states and in 23 countries, utilizing a comprehensive approach that incorporates diverse credit sources and personalized academic advising. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Lumerit Education operates as a subsidiary of Pearson Education, Inc.
Voxy
Series B in 2013
Voxy, Inc. is a language learning platform specializing in personalized English instruction for speakers of other languages. Founded in 2009 and based in New York, Voxy creates custom curricula tailored to individual interests, routines, goals, and learning styles, utilizing a fully integrated web and mobile platform. The company’s approach combines real-time adaptive technology with personalized live instruction, allowing learners to engage with content relevant to current events, pop culture, and sports. Voxy serves a diverse clientele, including corporations, educational institutions, and governments across more than 50 countries. Additionally, it offers a suite of analytics and reporting tools called Command Center, which provides insights into English learning programs for HR executives. Voxy has been recognized by prominent media outlets for its innovative methods and has been used by millions of learners globally.
Virtual Nerd
Acquisition in 2013
Virtual Nerd is an online education platform based in Saint Louis, Missouri, specializing in mathematics tutorial services for middle and high school students. Founded in early 2008 by an expert tutor and a designer, the company focuses on delivering interconnected instructional videos to assist students struggling with math concepts. Its innovative, patent-pending tutorial system offers a non-linear learning experience, enabling users to navigate through a library of short videos, each lasting between three to seven minutes. The platform provides in-context information, hints, and links to additional tutorials tailored to individual learning paths. Acquired by Pearson in 2013, Virtual Nerd's extensive library of content is now accessible to millions of teachers and students worldwide.
Learning Catalytics
Acquisition in 2013
Learning Catalytics offers a cloud-based platform designed to enhance the interactive classroom experience by enabling instructors to engage students through real-time formative assessments. The system provides educators with tools to facilitate authentic assessments that promote active participation. Additionally, it incorporates advanced data analytics to track and analyze student interactions, allowing for informed instructional decisions. Primarily serving educational institutions, Learning Catalytics aims to improve student engagement and learning outcomes in various classroom settings.
IndiaCan Education
Acquisition in 2013
IndiaCan Education is a vocational training company formed as a joint venture between the two firms Educomp and Pearson in 2009.
Scoot & Doodle
Seed Round in 2013
Scoot & Doodle, based in San Francisco, develops web and mobile products that promote interaction and connected learning among users. The company's offerings aim to enhance visual creative thinking and collaboration, which are essential skills for future innovators and problem solvers. Its flagship product, Scoot & Doodle on Hangouts, has gained recognition as a leading app within Google+ Hangouts, receiving praise from media outlets for its innovative design. Additionally, the company launched Scoodle Jam in December 2013, a social collaboration app for iPad that was featured in Apple's New & Noteworthy section. This app provides a unique environment for teenagers to socialize and collaborate creatively with their Facebook friends. Through its social creativity platform, Scoot & Doodle encourages users to actively engage in the learning process while developing critical 21st-century skills.
EmbanetCompass
Acquisition in 2012
EmbanetCompass is a leading provider of technology-enabled services for non-profit postsecondary educational institutions looking to establish online degree programs. The company offers a comprehensive outsourced solution that encompasses program strategy, design and development, academic services, marketing, student recruitment, and technology services. By partnering with educational institutions, EmbanetCompass allows them to maintain control over admissions decisions, instruction, and financial aid while conferring degrees. The primary objective of EmbanetCompass is to deliver high-quality services that protect and enhance the brand and reputation of its academic partners.
GlobalEnglish
Acquisition in 2012
GlobalEnglish Corporation specializes in Internet-based English language instruction, focusing on enhancing business English proficiency for organizations. Its suite of cloud-based solutions facilitates both formal and informal learning, providing instant support for business tasks in English, fostering enterprise collaboration, and enabling mobile productivity. The company's offerings include a digital platform for structured self-paced learning, virtual business networks for employee communication, and mobile applications for vocabulary development. Additionally, GlobalEnglish provides personalized coaching and assessments to measure language proficiency and track improvement. Established in 1997 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, GlobalEnglish has partnered with numerous leading corporations to help improve their teams' communication capabilities across global markets. The company operates as a subsidiary of Learnship Networks GmbH following its acquisition in 2019.
Certiport
Acquisition in 2012
Certiport is a provider of software training, assessment, and certification solutions aimed at equipping individuals with essential digital skills for the workforce. With over 12,000 Certiport Centers globally, the company offers a range of certification programs, including Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft Technology Associate, Adobe Certified Associate, CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals, Autodesk Certified User, Intuit QuickBooks Certified User, and the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³). These programs cater to academic, corporate, and government sectors, validating individuals' proficiency in utilizing computer hardware, software, and internet technologies effectively.
Global Education & Technology Group
Acquisition in 2011
Global Education & Technology Group, Ltd. specializes in test preparation services for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and offers a range of educational courses and related services in China. Established in 2001, the company has developed a network of learning centers, comprising both directly operated and franchised locations, to deliver its educational offerings across the country. In addition to IELTS preparation, Global Education also provides services for other examinations such as TOEFL and the Beijing English Testing System. The company aims to facilitate comprehensive training and learning experiences for students preparing for various competitive exams. In December 2011, Global Education merged with Pearson, further expanding its reach and resources in the education sector.
TQ Holdings
Acquisition in 2011
TQ Holdings Ltd. provides vocational and technical education and training services to governments, institutions and corporations around the world.
Connections Education
Acquisition in 2011
Connections Education is an accredited provider of virtual education for K-12 students, offering high-quality, tuition-free educational solutions. The company operates its Connections Academy brand, which includes online public schools in 21 states across the U.S., serving over 40,000 students in the current school year. These virtual charter schools are funded by the state and provide families with an alternative to traditional public schooling. Connections Education emphasizes personalized learning through a combination of certified teachers, a proven curriculum, and technology tools, ensuring a supportive educational environment. In addition to core academic subjects, the company also offers college and career preparation, socialization opportunities, and parent involvement programs, catering to the diverse needs of students and helping them thrive in a changing world.
Smarthinking Online Tutoring
Acquisition in 2011
Smarthinking is a leading provider of online tutoring services, catering to over 1,000 educational institutions, including universities, colleges, and schools. The company offers a range of services designed to enhance student performance, persistence, and retention. These services include live online tutoring, writing practice, and video tutorials, specifically aimed at supporting higher education students. By providing on-demand assistance, Smarthinking equips learners with the resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.
SchoolNet
Acquisition in 2011
Schoolnet is a provider of instructional improvement software designed to enhance student achievement and teacher quality while improving operational efficiency for K-12 school districts. The company offers a data-driven instructional management suite that includes web-based products and solutions, enabling educators to access essential data, reports, tools, and content. This suite supports the assessment of student and school performance, with a focus on districts in major cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.
Education Development International
Acquisition in 2011
Education Development International is engaged in providing educational qualifications and assessment services, focusing specifically on vocational education. The company offers accredited vocational qualifications, including apprenticeships and employability training, complemented by work-based training programs. Additionally, it supplies specialist online assessment services for schools and provides English language qualifications tailored for business contexts and spoken English for various industries. Through these services, Education Development International aims to enhance educational outcomes and improve employability for learners.
TutorVista
Acquisition in 2011
TutorVista Global Pvt. Ltd. is a global education services company based in Bangalore, India, specializing in online tutoring. The company offers personalized teaching in subjects such as math, science, and English, catering to students' individual academic needs. Through its online platform, TutorVista provides both homework help and comprehensive tutoring, focusing on both fundamental and advanced concepts. The service aims to support students in achieving their short and long-term academic goals. In January 2011, TutorVista was acquired by Pearson Education, further enhancing its reach and resources in the education sector.
TutorVista
Series D in 2010
TutorVista Global Pvt. Ltd. is a global education services company based in Bangalore, India, specializing in online tutoring. The company offers personalized teaching in subjects such as math, science, and English, catering to students' individual academic needs. Through its online platform, TutorVista provides both homework help and comprehensive tutoring, focusing on both fundamental and advanced concepts. The service aims to support students in achieving their short and long-term academic goals. In January 2011, TutorVista was acquired by Pearson Education, further enhancing its reach and resources in the education sector.
Wall Street English
Acquisition in 2010
Wall Street English is a prominent English language training network focused on delivering high-quality language instruction to adults. With a strong emphasis on blended learning methodologies, the organization combines traditional classroom experiences with digital resources to enhance the learning process. Over its 46-year history, Wall Street English has established a robust brand recognized for growth and innovation. In 2016, the company served approximately 180,000 learners through its 70 corporate-owned centers in China, nine in Italy, and 321 franchised centers across 28 territories. By catering to both individual students and corporate employees, Wall Street English aims to foster open-mindedness and highlight the value of language learning in a globalized world.
Melorio
Acquisition in 2010
Melorio is a vocational education company based in the UK that specializes in providing training courses for various industries, including IT, construction, and healthcare. The company offers a range of vocational training programs and assessments designed for professionals such as construction workers, service employees, electricians, and plumbers. Through its comprehensive training services, Melorio aims to enhance the skills and qualifications of individuals, thereby supporting workforce development in these critical sectors.
TutorVista
Series C in 2009
TutorVista Global Pvt. Ltd. is a global education services company based in Bangalore, India, specializing in online tutoring. The company offers personalized teaching in subjects such as math, science, and English, catering to students' individual academic needs. Through its online platform, TutorVista provides both homework help and comprehensive tutoring, focusing on both fundamental and advanced concepts. The service aims to support students in achieving their short and long-term academic goals. In January 2011, TutorVista was acquired by Pearson Education, further enhancing its reach and resources in the education sector.
IntelliPro
Acquisition in 2009
IntelliPro is an interactive content company that specializes in developing, marketing, and supporting software applications and publishing tools tailored for academic, professional, and corporate environments. The company focuses on providing online learning technology solutions, enabling users to enhance their educational and professional experiences through innovative digital tools. By offering a range of applications designed to facilitate interactive content delivery, IntelliPro aims to meet the diverse needs of its clientele in various sectors.
eCollege
Acquisition in 2007
Pearson eCollege was founded in 1996 as Real Education, Inc. in Denver, Colorado. That year, Real Education launched its first online campus for the University of Colorado—still one of our prominent Educational Partners. Today, institutions around the world deliver their fully online, distance learning programs using the Pearson learning platform. eCollege joined the Pearson family in 2007, signaling Pearson's commitment to technology-powered education. Pearson eCollege is now a leading global provider of integrated education technology, content, academic services and support that powers some of the most successful online programs.
The Evaluation Systems group
Acquisition in 2006
National Evaluation Systems, Inc. (NES(R)) is an educational testing company that develops and administers customized teacher certification testing programs and other assessment programs in higher education. Their work covers assessments in more than one hundred content fields, professional teaching skills, and the basic skills of reading, writing, and mathematics.
AGS Publishing
Acquisition in 2005
AGS publishes assessments and curriculum materials for US school psychologists, teachers and students. It has a particular focus on supporting students who are at-risk or performing below grade level, including those whose first language is not English. These areas are attracting new attention and funding with the US federal requirement under No Child Left Behind (NCLB) that all students achieve 'Adequate Yearly Progress' towards mandated state standards in reading, math and science.
Family Education Network
Acquisition in 2000
Family Education Network, Inc. is an online platform based in Boston, Massachusetts, that offers a variety of informal learning resources aimed at parents, teachers, and students. The company operates several websites, including FamilyEducation.com, which provides guidance on topics such as children's health, homework assistance, and product recommendations for kids. Factmonster.com serves as a resource for students, combining reference materials, fun facts, and homework help. TeacherVision.com offers teachers access to educational resources such as worksheets, lesson plans, and activities. Additionally, Infoplease.com functions as a reference library covering a wide range of topics, from current events to history. Family Education Network serves users in the United States, South Africa, and the Philippines, and was founded in 1990.
National Computer Systems
Acquisition in 2000
NCS is the largest commercial processor of student assessment tests for kindergarten to 12th grade (K-12) education in the US, scoring some 40 million tests a year across the US. It is involved at all stages of the process, from test design to delivery, processing and reporting results. NCS is also the largest single provider of student curriculum, instructional and financial management software to schools. These tools help teachers and administrators to keep attendance records, grades, test scores and to manage state curriculum requirements. It has software in some 40,000 of the 110,000 schools in the US and has been adding thousands of new schools a year to its client base. It is responsible for large amounts of school data, including managing the schedules of over 16 million students. NCS is making extensive use of electronic and Internet-based technologies to extend its market penetration and offer innovative products and services to its customers in the education field. For example, NCS's ParentCONNECTxp software product connects parents and teachers, enabling parents to become more involved in their child's academic and classroom performance.
Family Education Network
Venture Round in 2000
Family Education Network, Inc. is an online platform based in Boston, Massachusetts, that offers a variety of informal learning resources aimed at parents, teachers, and students. The company operates several websites, including FamilyEducation.com, which provides guidance on topics such as children's health, homework assistance, and product recommendations for kids. Factmonster.com serves as a resource for students, combining reference materials, fun facts, and homework help. TeacherVision.com offers teachers access to educational resources such as worksheets, lesson plans, and activities. Additionally, Infoplease.com functions as a reference library covering a wide range of topics, from current events to history. Family Education Network serves users in the United States, South Africa, and the Philippines, and was founded in 1990.
Blackboard
Venture Round in 2000
Blackboard Inc. is a leading provider of enterprise technology and innovative solutions for the education sector, catering to higher education, K-12, business, and government markets. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Reston, Virginia, the company offers a diverse range of products designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Its flagship platform, Blackboard Learn, supports academic goals through a comprehensive learning management system, while Blackboard Collaborate facilitates interactive and mobile learning. Additional offerings include Blackboard Analytics, which converts data into actionable insights, and Blackboard SafeAssign, which helps identify plagiarism in student submissions. The company also provides tools for accessibility, student support, and community engagement, such as Blackboard Ally and Blackboard Connect. With a global presence, Blackboard aims to improve educational outcomes and institutional performance by leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhance communication among educational stakeholders.
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