Ed tech platform set to grow after $4M funding round
CARMEL (Inside INdiana Business) — The chief executive officer of Carmel-based Codelicious says the company’s recent infusion from several venture capital firms will allow it to increase its national outreach, expand the technology platform and add staff. Last week, the education software firm closed on a nearly $4 million seed round backed by Indianapolis venture capital firm Allos Ventures and Boston-based EduLab Capital Partners. Codelicious, which specializes in computer science curriculum for K-12 schools, says the funding will help it respond to rapid growth.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, CEO Christine McDonnell said the investment will help push the company into “hypergrowth.”
“We’ve demonstrated traction in the marketplace. We’ve demonstrated predictability and repeatability, which is really what you’re looking to gain as a startup,” said McDonnell. “I feel like we’re a little bit beyond that as a mode, and we’re really ready to scale.”
She says the company is now selling to schools and school districts in nearly two dozen states, representing a 250% annual growth.
“Our success comes from those districts and schools, so public, private and charter, that are really focusing on… the 21st century learner, so those foundational skills,” said McDonnnell.
Codelicious says schools are often limited by teachers that lack the necessary skills to teach computer science, especially in lower grades. McDonnell says the platform off offers grade-level differentiated learning pathways and aligns with all state and national computer science standards. Courses include curriculum, lesson plans, assessments, and standards mapping.
“We really take a comprehensive approach to computer science so that educators are engaging students in the classroom. They can demonstrate that computer science is more than coding,” said McDonnell. “It really is a way of critical thinking. It really is a foundational skill.”
McDonnell is taking part in a national education technology conference this week where the company will compete with other educational technology companies for more than $1 million in prizes. The 2021 GSV Cup is open to pre-seed and seed companies in the education technology sector. The Hoosier company is one of just ten finalists invited to the international pitch competition.
“As a company in Indiana focused on edtech, we’re so excited to be representing the greatness that comes out of Indiana (and) the ecosystem that helped boost us to where we are,” said McDonnell. “Win, lose or draw, the exposure here really puts us on the map in edtech and the contributions that we’re making in that space.”