NewSchools Ignite, a project launched by the NewSchools Venture Fund, would make awards to companies and nonprofits for amounts between $50,000 and $150,000.
Investment in ed-tech startups hit $2.3 billion in the year ending June 30, but K-12 schools aren’t the largest slice of the pie, according to CB Insights.
Four education companies brought in more than $20 million of venture capital.
Four ed-tech companies raised more than $50 million of venture capital and Rosetta Stone entered a partnership that could increase its footprint in high schools.
Ed-tech companies in China have drawn a surge of investment over the past two years, according the market research company CB Insights.
Three ed-tech companies raised $3.5 million while a new Pearson Education partnership aims to connect the classroom to the real world through public radio.
Mergers and acquisition opportunities in K-12 will focus on companies that provide adaptive learning and online assessments, according to Berkery Noyes.
Deborah Quazzo, whose investments in ed-tech companies doing business with the Chicago district have drawn criticism, said she will resign at the end of her term this summer.
I once questioned the idea of outside investment for social enterprises, fearing the investment would poison the impact. Two years later, my views on investment have matured.
Four ed-tech companies secured big venture capital deals, while one of the largest education publishers might go public this fall.