Ulu Ventures, established in 2008, is a Palo Alto-based venture capital firm specializing in seed-stage and early-stage investments. The firm primarily focuses on technology-enabled services, educational technology, and legal informatics within the internet industry, targeting internet-enabled consumer and business services. Ulu Ventures also considers investments in digital media, mobile, IoT, EdTech, FinTech, and other emerging tech sectors. The firm typically invests in the San Francisco Bay Area, co-investing with others to cumulatively invest between $500,000 and $1 million. Ulu Ventures aims to invest where there is a viable exit strategy, with a track record of over 30 investments in the last three years.
KaiPod Learning, founded in 2021 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, provides educational services tailored for online learners and homeschoolers. It offers in-person learning pods where students can receive academic support, engage in enrichment activities, and socialize with peers. Each pod is facilitated by an experienced KaiPod Learning Coach, ensuring that students not only focus on their coursework but also build meaningful relationships with fellow learners. The company's approach emphasizes a supportive environment that fosters both educational and social development.
ADEii Health
Funding Round in 2023
ADEii Health is focused on addressing the mental health crisis by closing the labor gap in the mental health sector. The company collaborates with school districts, higher education institutions, community health organizations, and healthcare providers to deliver tailored behavioral health and wellness services that meet the specific needs of various communities. ADEii Health facilitates access to professional licensing and enhances community access to behavioral health teams, while also implementing technologies designed to streamline intake and assessment processes. Through these efforts, the organization aims to improve the availability and consistency of care providers in the healthcare industry.
Lando
Seed Round in 2023
Lando operates engineering and design thinking camps aimed at enhancing after-school learning for children. The company focuses on providing classes that enable students to tackle complex engineering challenges while fostering skills in design thinking. By engaging kids in hands-on experiences, Lando promotes rapid learning and encourages resilience, preparing them to address real-world problems effectively.
Praxis Labs
Series A in 2023
Praxis Labs, Inc. specializes in developing virtual reality-based software aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion training in the workplace. The company combines research-backed curriculum with advanced VR technology to create immersive training modules that address unconscious bias. Its offerings include designing educational content, producing high-quality training materials, and providing measurable metrics to assess improvements in understanding and empathy regarding implicit bias. Established in 2019 and headquartered in Stanford, California, Praxis Labs focuses on embedding equity and inclusion throughout the employee lifecycle, ultimately striving to improve workplace culture and outcomes.
Praxis Labs
Series A in 2021
Praxis Labs, Inc. specializes in developing virtual reality-based software aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion training in the workplace. The company combines research-backed curriculum with advanced VR technology to create immersive training modules that address unconscious bias. Its offerings include designing educational content, producing high-quality training materials, and providing measurable metrics to assess improvements in understanding and empathy regarding implicit bias. Established in 2019 and headquartered in Stanford, California, Praxis Labs focuses on embedding equity and inclusion throughout the employee lifecycle, ultimately striving to improve workplace culture and outcomes.
Landed
Series B in 2021
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.
Tinycare
Series A in 2021
Tinycare is a network of modern daycare centers focused on providing high-quality care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in San Francisco. Founded in 2018 by Michael Lai, Tinycare aims to create the safest and cleanest environments for early childhood education. The centers adopt a progressive approach to learning, designed to help each child reach their full potential while offering parents peace of mind. By prioritizing licensed care and a supportive atmosphere, Tinycare addresses the growing need for reliable daycare options in the region.
Backer
Venture Round in 2021
Backer is a prominent fintech company specializing in 529 college savings plans, aimed at simplifying the process of saving for education. The company offers an investment platform that enables families to establish college savings plans efficiently, facilitating contributions from family and friends. Its user-friendly gifting platform and innovative mobile application enhance the experience by allowing for seamless tax-free investments. Backer's strategic partnerships with various 529 programs further bolster its high enrollment conversion rates, distinguishing it in the education savings market. The company's focus on making education savings accessible and straightforward supports families in planning for their children's educational futures.
Praxis
Seed Round in 2021
Praxis is a non-profit venture group established in 2010, headquartered in New York City. It aims to support faith-motivated entrepreneurs who are dedicated to cultural and social impact. Praxis operates two Accelerator programs, each year welcoming a select cohort of twelve businesses and twelve nonprofits. These programs provide essential resources, including knowledge, networking opportunities, and personal discipleship, to help leaders build sustainable and high-impact organizations. Additionally, Praxis is set to launch the Praxis Academy, a summer program designed for undergraduate students at the intersection of faith, startups, and culture. Graduates of this program can apply for the Future Founders program, which offers apprenticeships with alumni from the Accelerator programs. Through these initiatives, Praxis seeks to equip the next generation of entrepreneurs to address societal challenges and contribute positively to their communities.
Praxis Labs
Seed Round in 2021
Praxis Labs, Inc. specializes in developing virtual reality-based software aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion training in the workplace. The company combines research-backed curriculum with advanced VR technology to create immersive training modules that address unconscious bias. Its offerings include designing educational content, producing high-quality training materials, and providing measurable metrics to assess improvements in understanding and empathy regarding implicit bias. Established in 2019 and headquartered in Stanford, California, Praxis Labs focuses on embedding equity and inclusion throughout the employee lifecycle, ultimately striving to improve workplace culture and outcomes.
Tinycare
Seed Round in 2020
Tinycare is a network of modern daycare centers focused on providing high-quality care for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in San Francisco. Founded in 2018 by Michael Lai, Tinycare aims to create the safest and cleanest environments for early childhood education. The centers adopt a progressive approach to learning, designed to help each child reach their full potential while offering parents peace of mind. By prioritizing licensed care and a supportive atmosphere, Tinycare addresses the growing need for reliable daycare options in the region.
Praxis Labs
Seed Round in 2020
Praxis Labs, Inc. specializes in developing virtual reality-based software aimed at enhancing diversity and inclusion training in the workplace. The company combines research-backed curriculum with advanced VR technology to create immersive training modules that address unconscious bias. Its offerings include designing educational content, producing high-quality training materials, and providing measurable metrics to assess improvements in understanding and empathy regarding implicit bias. Established in 2019 and headquartered in Stanford, California, Praxis Labs focuses on embedding equity and inclusion throughout the employee lifecycle, ultimately striving to improve workplace culture and outcomes.
Foundry College
Seed Round in 2019
Foundry College Inc. is an online educational institution based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2018. It offers degree programs and courses focused on foundational skills and business management, specifically designed for working adults. The college emphasizes practical training and competency-based learning, providing students with relevant education that aligns with current job market demands. Through live instructor-led lectures and small group sessions, Foundry College equips students with in-demand skills that are unlikely to be automated in the near future. Its mission is to prepare students for success in today's and tomorrow's workforce by fostering a skilled and informed society that can adapt to changing job requirements.
Backer
Pre Seed Round in 2019
Backer is a prominent fintech company specializing in 529 college savings plans, aimed at simplifying the process of saving for education. The company offers an investment platform that enables families to establish college savings plans efficiently, facilitating contributions from family and friends. Its user-friendly gifting platform and innovative mobile application enhance the experience by allowing for seamless tax-free investments. Backer's strategic partnerships with various 529 programs further bolster its high enrollment conversion rates, distinguishing it in the education savings market. The company's focus on making education savings accessible and straightforward supports families in planning for their children's educational futures.
Landed
Series A in 2019
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.
Landed
Seed Round in 2018
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.
Swing Education
Series B in 2018
Swing Education, Inc. operates an online platform that connects K-12 schools with substitute teachers to address staffing shortages. Established in 2015 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company aims to facilitate the hiring process for substitute teachers, which is essential as U.S. students spend a significant portion of their educational experience with substitutes. The platform alleviates the logistical challenges faced by school administrators, such as recruiting, screening, scheduling, and compensating substitute teachers. By providing an on-demand marketplace, Swing Education helps schools efficiently fill hard-to-fill absences, ensuring that educational continuity is maintained and that teachers can focus on their primary responsibilities.
Coding Dojo
Venture Round in 2018
Coding Dojo, Inc. is an education technology company that specializes in programming training services through both online and onsite coding bootcamps. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in San Jose, California, the company has expanded its presence with additional locations across several states, including Washington, Illinois, Texas, Virginia, and Oklahoma. Coding Dojo offers a diverse curriculum that includes courses in various programming languages and technologies such as Python, C#/.NET, MEAN Stack, Ruby, iOS/Swift, and Java, as well as programs in Data Science and Cybersecurity. Its comprehensive 14-week bootcamp is designed to equip students with the skills needed to become self-sufficient developers, regardless of their prior technical experience. The curriculum emphasizes practical learning through mentored guidance and feedback, enabling students to gain proficiency in essential coding practices.
TeachFX
Seed Round in 2017
TeachFX, Inc. is a company based in Palo Alto, California, that specializes in developing an application designed to enhance classroom dialogue through machine learning technology. Founded in 2017, TeachFX's platform analyzes and visualizes classroom interactions, distinguishing between teacher talk and student talk. This application provides educators with automated, regular feedback on their teaching practices, helping them identify areas for improvement and encouraging more meaningful and equitable discussions in the classroom. By measuring student engagement and discourse patterns, TeachFX aims to support teachers in fostering a more interactive and effective learning environment.
Landed
Seed Round in 2017
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.
Landed
Seed Round in 2016
Landed, Inc. is a financial services company based in San Francisco that assists essential professionals, particularly in education and healthcare, in purchasing homes and achieving financial stability within their communities. Founded in 2015, Landed provides debt-free financing options, allowing homebuyers to receive funds in exchange for a share of their home's value upon refinancing or selling. The company collaborates with schools, employers, and affinity networks to establish and manage down payment support funds, facilitating access to homeownership for teachers, school staff, and other professionals. Additionally, Landed offers personalized support through a dedicated team, including partner agents and homebuying experts, to help clients navigate their home-buying options and provide education on the process.
BetterUp
Seed Round in 2016
BetterUp Inc. is a leadership development company that offers an innovative online platform aimed at enhancing the personal and professional growth of individuals and organizations. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, BetterUp specializes in virtual coaching, providing users with personalized guidance through one-on-one sessions with a network of over 3,000 coaches available in 46 languages across more than 90 countries. The platform focuses on fostering mental fitness, career and leadership development, and social connection, thereby enabling employees to develop new behaviors and skills that promote high performance in a rapidly changing work environment. With a client base that includes prominent organizations such as NASA, Google, and Hilton, BetterUp has established itself as a leader in the field of mental health and coaching. The company is supported by a distinguished Science Board composed of experts in positive psychology and human performance, further enhancing its credibility and impact in the industry.
Guild
Series A in 2016
Guild's lifelong learning platform offers classes, programs, and degrees for working adults, with a path for them to move forward in their education and careers. It offers these adults support from start to finish, with their technology platform for discovery, learning, and organizing the experience, and extra support with their tech-enabled student advising model.
BetterUp
Seed Round in 2016
BetterUp Inc. is a leadership development company that offers an innovative online platform aimed at enhancing the personal and professional growth of individuals and organizations. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in San Francisco, BetterUp specializes in virtual coaching, providing users with personalized guidance through one-on-one sessions with a network of over 3,000 coaches available in 46 languages across more than 90 countries. The platform focuses on fostering mental fitness, career and leadership development, and social connection, thereby enabling employees to develop new behaviors and skills that promote high performance in a rapidly changing work environment. With a client base that includes prominent organizations such as NASA, Google, and Hilton, BetterUp has established itself as a leader in the field of mental health and coaching. The company is supported by a distinguished Science Board composed of experts in positive psychology and human performance, further enhancing its credibility and impact in the industry.
Swing Education
Seed Round in 2016
Swing Education, Inc. operates an online platform that connects K-12 schools with substitute teachers to address staffing shortages. Established in 2015 and headquartered in San Mateo, California, the company aims to facilitate the hiring process for substitute teachers, which is essential as U.S. students spend a significant portion of their educational experience with substitutes. The platform alleviates the logistical challenges faced by school administrators, such as recruiting, screening, scheduling, and compensating substitute teachers. By providing an on-demand marketplace, Swing Education helps schools efficiently fill hard-to-fill absences, ensuring that educational continuity is maintained and that teachers can focus on their primary responsibilities.
Guild
Seed Round in 2015
Guild's lifelong learning platform offers classes, programs, and degrees for working adults, with a path for them to move forward in their education and careers. It offers these adults support from start to finish, with their technology platform for discovery, learning, and organizing the experience, and extra support with their tech-enabled student advising model.
Rockit Online
Seed Round in 2014
Rockit Online is an online educational platform focused on providing English language learning services to students and young professionals in Asia, particularly in Vietnam. The platform combines live instruction from bilingual teachers with multimedia content to offer an effective and accessible learning experience. By prioritizing affordability and convenience, Rockit Online aims to equip learners with the necessary language skills to thrive in an increasingly global job market. In addition to its language offerings, the company also operates an online media platform that shares data and insights on various topics, including beauty, skincare, fashion, healthcare, and technology, allowing individuals to learn from expert experiences in these fields.
CampusQuad
Seed Round in 2013
Campus Quad, Inc. operates a cloud-based mobile communication platform designed to enhance the college experience for students. By offering a real-time connection to campus resources, the platform facilitates student engagement through the sharing of photos, events, deals, and classifieds. It centralizes important campus information, allowing students to easily access relevant content and participate in extracurricular activities. Founded in 2012 and located in San Carlos, California, Campus Quad serves both universities and students, aiming to replace traditional campus bulletin boards with a more interactive and dynamic mobile experience. The platform supports content creation, distribution, and engagement metrics, helping institutions foster a vibrant campus community and guiding students on their paths to graduation.
Viridis Learning
Seed Round in 2013
Viridis Learning, Inc. is an education technology company specializing in workforce education and human capital solutions for the middle-skill workforce. The company operates a platform that facilitates training, certification, and job placement for individuals seeking to enter, sustain, or advance in middle-skill occupations. Through its human capital technology solution, Viridis, the company addresses skill deficiencies by aligning training programs with the needs of local employers. The training offerings include a variety of courses such as Residential Concrete Specialization, Energy Management and Controls, and Advanced Residential Construction Supervisor, among others. With its base in New York, New York, Viridis Learning aims to enhance the employability of individuals while meeting the demands of employers in the middle-skill labor market.
If You Can
Seed Round in 2013
If You Can Company, founded in 2012 and based in San Mateo, California, specializes in developing educational games aimed at enhancing children's intelligence and social-emotional skills. Among its notable products is IF, an adventure game designed to improve cognitive abilities, and SEL, a tool focused on social and emotional learning for educational settings. The company also offers a dashboard for parents and educators that allows them to monitor children's progress through age-appropriate lessons, emphasizing skills such as emotional regulation and empathy.
NovoEd
Seed Round in 2013
NovoEd, Inc. is a software company that operates an online collaborative learning platform designed to enhance business performance through experiential learning. Founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, the company provides a software-as-a-service solution that fosters project collaboration, feedback sharing, and skill application in the workplace. NovoEd's platform is utilized by global corporations, executive education providers, and training firms to develop essential capabilities through structured practice, mentorship, and group collaboration. The company offers various professional services, including strategy assessment, instructional design, course development, and learning analytics. Its tailored solutions encompass leadership development, digital transformation, employee onboarding, and diversity initiatives, catering to a wide range of sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance, and education. By connecting diverse learners and facilitators in an impactful online setting, NovoEd aims to unlock organizational knowledge and drive measurable outcomes.
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.
MindSumo
Seed Round in 2012
MindSumo, Inc. operates an online marketplace that connects students with companies by facilitating real-world, skill-based competitions. Founded in 2011 and based in Palo Alto, California, MindSumo enables students to tackle corporate challenges, allowing them to showcase their skills, earn cash prizes, and gain valuable experience. The platform serves as a bridge for organizations seeking innovative ideas and insights while also identifying potential recruits through work samples submitted by participants. By engaging with this millennial community, companies can access a diverse talent pool and benefit from fresh perspectives on business problems. As of September 2020, MindSumo operates as a subsidiary of MBO Partners, Inc.
Remind
Seed Round in 2012
Remind is a communication platform founded in 2011 that aims to enhance student success by facilitating effective communication within K-12 education. The platform enables school and district administrators to engage with their communities, while also connecting educators and families. Remind's application allows for real-time messaging, scheduling reminders, and coordinating logistics for school-related activities, which streamlines communication among teachers, parents, students, and administrators. By providing these tools, Remind addresses the communication gaps often found in primary education and supports a collaborative environment for teaching and learning.
Fidelis Education
Series A in 2011
Fidelis Education, Inc. is a software development company based in Mountain View, California, that focuses on enhancing student success through innovative technology solutions. The company has created a Learning Relationship Management (LRM) platform designed to facilitate the coordination of out-of-class support services for students and staff. This platform allows educational institutions to manage complex learning relationships effectively, ensuring that learners can access the support they need to thrive academically and professionally. Fidelis offers a range of tools, including mentoring and coaching software for various advising needs, academic support solutions for tutoring and micro-credentialing, and social/emotional learning resources. Additionally, the company provides community engagement software to manage relationships among cohorts, clubs, and alumni. Through its comprehensive services, Fidelis aims to address critical challenges in education, such as attrition and skills gaps, by fostering active and meaningful engagement among learners and their support networks.
Motion Math
Seed Round in 2011
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.
Presence
Seed Round in 2010
PresenceLearning makes live, online special education related services available to K-12 students around the United States. As the leader in the delivery of clinical services via the web, PresenceLearning has provided over 2.5 million teletherapy sessions. Services include speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral interventions and mental health services, assessments, and early childhood services.
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