The top U.S. edtech business stories of 2020

Plus: 2U CEO on what lies ahead in 2021, and how one startup's efforts to distribute cash to students helped it raise more

No. 516 | 12/30/20 | Subscribe to this newsletter This issue is sponsored by "Never let a good crisis go to waste," so the saying goes. The education industry didn't. In fact, many capitalized on it in 2020. School closures have forced people to not only rely more on digital tools in the short term, but also reimagine what education can be once it's safe to return. If anything, the disruption to daily lives only accelerated interest from entrepreneurs and investors in shaping what that future will look like. Many are betting—literally—that it won't be business as usual. Here's a recap of the biggest and most popular U.S. edtech business stories of 2020. 📰 THE HEADLINES   EDQUITY, EQUITY: When David Helene built an app to deliver cash to students in need, a pandemic was not the crisis he had in mind. But after helping one college distribute its federal CARES Act dollars to students in need, Edquity is staffing up and scaling to serve others. And along the way, it's secured a $2.77 million seed extension round from impact investors. PUT ON THOSE NEW HEADPHONES: One way we tried to capture the nuances of teaching during a health crisis was through audio storytelling. Listen to our most popular podcast episodes of 2020. (They'll sound great on any new headphones you got for the holidays.) Spoiler alert: Zoom fatigue emerged as the biggest draw. CHILD CARE CHANGES: Everyday routines in child care centers, from dress-up and storytime to socialization and sensory play, have been complicated by the pandemic. Educators have had to get creative about serving children in ways that are both safe and stimulating. Among the new rules: distanced play—and no hugs. 💰 KA'CHING! ClassIn, a Beijing-based provider of an online interactive classroom platform, has raised $265 million in a Series C round led by Hillhouse Capital's GL Ventures, with Tencent among other investors participating. Fluent Forever, a Chicago-based developer of a language-learning app, has raised $4.9 million in a seed round led by Stout Street Capital. Meazure Learning, a Birmingham, Ala.-based provider of online proctoring software, has received an investment from private equity firm Gryphon Investors. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Gryphon is now the majority shareholder in the company. (Meazure was formed in January 2020 as the result of a merger of two proctoring companies.) Meishubao Education, a Beijing-based online arts education platform, has raised $210 million in a Series D round led by The Rise Fund, the impact investing arm of private equity firm TPG Capital.  Yuanfudao, a Beijing-based online tutoring platform, has raised $300 million from Yunfeng Capital. Zuoyebang, a Chinese online education platform, has raised $1.6 billion in a Series E round from Alibaba Group, Tiger Global Management, Softbank Vision Fund and other investors. The following is a message from our sponsor Edtech products earning top Standards alignment recognition Meet the companies and products earning top recognition from ISTE for providing high-quality, ISTE Standards-aligned learning experiences that enhance digital-age skills. After a review by our Standards experts, ISTE works with Seal holders to increase brand awareness through multiple outreach and publication channels. Learn how your product can earn a Seal of Alignment. 🎧 ON THE PODCAST   LONG LIFE LEARNING: The disruptions in the job market caused by COVID-19 mean colleges and employers will need to rethink the relationship between the workplace and the classroom. That's according to Michelle Weise, who's currently a senior advisor at Imaginable Futures. She makes the case in her new book, "Long Life Learning." We talked with her about the highlights. 🤔 YEAR-END REFLECTIONS   Over the following weeks, EdSurge will be publishing a series of year-end reflections from education leaders. HIGHER CALLING: "I can't predict the future," writes 2U CEO Chip Paucek, "but my bet is that many of the innovations and changes we've witnessed this year will stick around." And as learners seek opportunities to reskill for new jobs, colleges will play a more important role than ever. "I see higher education as more resilient, adaptable, and innovative than people tend to give it credit for. INHERIT THE TAILWIND: "Teaching in the year 2020 reminds me of a quote from 'Inherit the Wind:' 'Perhaps it is you who has moved away by standing still,'" writes award-winning Baltimore teacher Kyair Butts. Entering into a new year, education can't afford to stay static, but must evolve "from a business-as-usual model to an inclusion model that promotes students and families and values teachers as content experts." 🗨️ JOIN THE CONVERSATION   Events horizon: Education industry conferences are changing plans for 2021. Among the latest updates: The ASU GSV Summit, which had been postponed to July 7-9 in San Diego, Calif., has added a virtual component and will be a hybrid event. See the latest updates in our tracker of U.S. education industry events. 🏃 MOVERS & SHAKERS   Roger Brown, Linda Mason and Marguerite Kondracke, co-founders of Bright Horizons, a publicly traded early education and child care company, will retire from its board of directors effective March 31, 2021. 👀 ALSO ON OUR RADAR   Akaris Global, an investment firm that holds approximately 1 percent of all Pluralsight shares, has published a letter (PDF) objecting to its proposed $3.5-billion sale to Vista Equity Partners. A look at some of the twists, bumps and awkwardness that ensue among families running "learning pods." (The New York Times) Indian edtech companies raised $2 billion in 2020, but the "edtech funding boom hides gaps in what is being offered." (LiveMint) The City University of New York has renewed a $2-million contract with Turnitin even after laying off thousands of instructors over the summer, drawing outcry from educators and students. (Vice) Looking for a job in edtech? You've come to the right place. EdSurge has the leading edtech jobs board in the industry with openings from schools, nonprofits and companies.   Post a job | See all jobs District Partnerships Goalbook Goalbook is hiring for District Partnerships across the country to fuel our growth. You'll lead efforts to bring Goalbook into school districts and work closely with instructional leaders. Sales   •    Startup   •   OH/IN, Atlanta/Charlotte/Jacksonville   Vice President, Technology Achievement First Achievement First is looking for a Vice President of Technology who will lead and execute the strategy for IT infrastructure, help desk customer support, staff/student device management, and on-premise/cloud network infrastructure. Project Management •    Non Profit   •   Multiple   School and District Inside Sales Representative Lalilo Lalilo is looking for a passionate School and District Inside Sales Representative. Sales  •    Startup   •   Remote   Executive Director Lead By Learning This is a terrific leadership opportunity to come into a well-established org with an impeccable reputation for building learning communities among teachers and principals. The new ED will manage the staff, finance, operations, and fund development. C-Level Executive Leadership  •  Non Profit   •   Oakland, CA   Business Development Executive  GiveCampus We're looking for a Business Development Executive to help drive GiveCampus' growth in the pursuit of improving access, quality and affordability. Sales  •    Startup    •   Multiple or Remote   Director of Development Springboard Collaborative As Springboard experiences rapid year-over-year growth—primarily driven through fee-for-service contracts—we seek to bolster our development operation to keep pace with the increased demand for our services in marginalized communities. Marketing   •   Non Profit   •   Remote   Events Post an event   •   See all events and meetups   Learning and the Brain 59: Teaching Purposeful Minds This virtual conference will explore the importance of purpose, connections (including love and belonging), and curiosity and exploration, and how they can help support learning, coping, and personal growth. Apr 17-18 • Online • More than $250  THANKS FOR READING   ➔ Got any feedback? We love hearing from readers. Shoot us a note, critiques, a joke—whatever you've got! ➔ Interested in reaching our readers? Sponsor this newsletter. ➔ Event planners: Feature your in-person or virtual event on our calendar & newsletters. EdSurge covers and connects the people, ideas and technologies that shape the future of learning. We are an independent news and research initiative of the International Society for Technology in Education. International Society for Technology in Education, 621 SW Morrison Street, Suite 800, Portland, Oregon 97205, USA, 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 503.342.2848 (Int'l) Unsubscribe Manage preferences