Because Learning

Because Learning is an educational technology company.

It’s created an interactive learning platform for students focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math — areas collectively known as “STEM.”

The platform is used at more than 400 schools across 30 countries, and now Because Learning is aiming to expand its product to China.

According to a 2018 article on the educational technology industry from TechNode, a tech-related blog based in China, “start-ups are jostling to be the go-to platform for online learning.”

That same article noted that China has recently pushed various educational initiatives, particularly those focused on STEM learning.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, job growth in STEM fields is projected to grow at a rate of 17%, compared to 9.8% for all other occupations.

Globally, the educational technology (or “EdTech”) market is projected to reach $40 billion by 2022.

And recently, several companies in this emerging market have achieved successful exits — for example:

In April 2018, Adecco acquired General Assembly for $413 million. General Assembly is a school that provides training in STEM-related fields including data science and analysis…

That same month, NetDragon, a Chinese gaming company, acquired Edmodo, an EdTech company focused on creating social communities between teachers and students, for $137 million…

And in May 2018, Pluralsight (NASDAQ:PS), an EdTech company offering training courses for software developers and IT professionals, went public and saw its shares jump 30% in its first day of trading.

Because Learning’s platform provides students and teachers access to online lessons and hands-on labs. Lessons are paired with high-end sensors students use to conduct experiments, analyze real-time data, and visualize real-life concepts in STEM fields.

Teachers use the online platform to manage experiments, issue courses, and track their students’ progress.

Elementary to high school students receive new experiments each month across two different platforms:

The Lessons Platform enables students to create live data streams, use data science tools, and subscribe to experiments published by other students around the world…

The Space Program enables students to conduct experiments on in-orbit satellites to collect real space data. Experiments are facilitated through Because Learning’s partnership with Spire, a satellite company that provides data collected from its satellites.

Because Learning was founded in 2014. The company has partnerships with University of California, Berkeley, and the Association of Space Explorers.

To assist with its expansion to China, Because Learning signed agreements with two distributors — Astronautic Technology and Migo Edu.

Because Learning offers a Classroom Launch Pack for $3,700. This includes 15 sensor kits and 150 customizable lessons, with new lessons added each month. Other resources include teacher guides, student worksheets, and personal development tools. This pack requires an annual renewal of the online learning platform for $1,500.

In addition, the company offers monthly, quarterly, and annual subscriptions starting at $18 per month. Subscriptions include one sensor kit and access to 150 lessons.

In 2017, Because Learning generated $272,000 in revenue.

Co-Founder Sunny Washington has spent more than 15 years in the EdTech industry, including serving as an early employee at Instructure (NYSE: INST). In addition, she worked as a program manager for Certiport, a software company that was acquired by Pearson.

Team Background

Kevin Cocco - Co-Founder & Chief Info Officer

Before starting Because Learning, Kevin founded SproutLoop, a development and consulting company.

He formerly served as Vice President of Information Technology at the Professional Education Institute. While there, he led the development of the Institute’s Interactive training program.

Kevin spent more than 12 years at Discover Financial Services, where he worked as an analyst, developer, and a technology manager.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Mathematics from Western Illinois University.

Sunny Washington - Co-Founder & CEO

Sunny has spent more than 15 years in the EdTech industry.

Prior to starting Because Learning, she served as Director of Business Development for Instructure, a learning management platform for students. In 2015, Instructure went public on the New York Stock Exchange.

In addition, she formerly served as Program Manager for Certiport, a company that builds certification products for software providers such as Microsoft and Adobe. While there, she launched a digital literacy program, which led to the company’s subsequent acquisition by Pearson.

Sunny earned a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University.

Sunny Washington - Co-Founder and CEO

Kevin Cocco - Co-Founder and CIO

Co-Investors

Royal Street Ventures

Venture capital fund investing in early-stage companies centered in middle-America. Portfolio includes Bookly (online bookkeeping service) and Bend Labs (biotech company).

Space Angels

Group of angel investors who invest in companies focused on the aerospace industry.

Boom Start-up

Utah-based accelerator that provides seed funding and mentorship to tech companies. Portfolio includes AdEspresso (advertising company acquired by Hootsuite) and ProMD (mobile healthcare platform acquired by SilverVue).

Fresco Capital

Early-stage venture firm. Investments include 1 Doc Way, Evidation Health and RiskPulse.