Boarding PassThis company brings superheroes to the classroom using AI
Boarding Pass
This company brings superheroes to the classroom using AI
AcadeMe+ has raised a total of $1 million to help teachers gain unlimited access to thousands of Hollywood films and key scenes that align with their curriculums
“Teachers are seeking to increase engagement in their classes by making lessons more interesting and enjoyable, using the media that Gen-Z students are familiar with, such as video,” said Yuval Kalati, Co-Founder CEO of AcadeMe+. “Students often find traditional lessons dull and are eager for more diverse and digital methods to understand class material on their own.”
With AcadeMe+, teachers gain unlimited access to thousands of Hollywood films and key scenes that align with their curriculum. It serves over 4,000 schools, engaging 150,000 teachers, and enriches the learning experience for 2 million students across 10 countries. The company is now seeking a Round A investment for further expansion.
“Critical 21st-century skills like the 4C's (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity), SDG (climate and sustainability), and SEL (social-emotional learning) are challenging to teach using traditional methods, and AcadeMe+ provides a perfect solution for that,” he added.
You can learn more about the company below.
Company Name: AcadeMe Plus
Sector: Edtech
Product/Service description:
With AcadeMe+, teachers gain unlimited access to thousands of Hollywood films and key scenes that align with the curriculum. Teachers can search any subject or keyword to find a matching movie, clip, or interactive lesson. Additionally, they can use the platform’s AI Smart Lesson Creator to develop their own film-based lessons that align with any school curriculum.
For instance, students might learn about sustainability and climate change through Pixar’s new movie “Elemental”, gravitation by watching Spider-Man movies, delve into the depths of World War II’s D-Day with the gripping scenes from Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan”, explore social-emotional learning through the lens of Disney’s whimsical “Inside Out”, or discuss racism with Oscar winner “The Green Book” or acclaimed “Hidden Figures.”
Founder Bios:
Yuval Kalati, Co-Founder CEO - A media entrepreneur with over 22 years within the digital entertainment and media industry. Founded and led startups that dealt with all types of digital entertainment aspects such as hotel VOD, mobile content and VAS, studios content acquisition for VOD platforms, interactive and mobile gaming, Ed-Tech, OTT VOD platform, and more. Former role as a senior manager, CCO, at Vonetize (IPO with TASE).
Yuval Levy, Head of Product Creative - Media entrepreneur, visionary and creative director. A dedicated creative leader with more than 18 years of progressive experience in international TV Production and Online Content Development. Produced content for children broadcasted on television, digital, and social media platforms.
Martin Sabag, VP Product - Over 10 years of experience in product management, industry analysis, both inbound- and outbound- marketing. Former role as a Head of Product Development, at Vonetize (IPO with TASE) - VOD, entertainment, Director of Product Management at “Time To Know” (EduTech), Co-Founder of the largest and most reputable internet portal about consumer electronics, audio and home theater in Israel - HT Magazine (www.HTmag.co.il) Mentor for Strategy, Marketing, MVP, Product Design and Business Development for early stages startups and ventures.
Year of Founding: 2020
Last Investment Round: $750,000
Last Investment Stage: Seed
Date of Last Investment: April 2022
Total investment to date: $1 million
Investors (leading and all): Glen Rock, Leon Recanati, row 9 holdings
Current number of employees: 6
Open positions: Customer Success, Project Manager
Website:
www.academe.plus
Social Media:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/9-digital/
How was the idea born?
In 2018, the CEO of Israel’s Ministry of Education approached us to provide a licensing solution for streaming movies to all schools. They recognized the need for teachers to utilize engaging content in their classes legally, securely, and aligned with the curriculum, all in one comprehensive solution.
What is the need for the product?
Teachers are seeking to increase engagement in their classes by making lessons more interesting and enjoyable, using the media that Gen-Z students are familiar with, such as video. Students often find traditional lessons (involving textbooks and teacher explanations) dull and are eager for more diverse and digital methods to understand class material on their own. Critical 21st-century skills like the 4C's (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity), SDG (climate and sustainability), and SEL (social-emotional learning) are challenging to teach using traditional methods, and AcadeMe+ provides a perfect solution for that.
How is it changing the market?
AcadeMe+ is transforming the market by offering something entirely unprecedented – leveraging the world's most popular content to inspire and educate students, providing them with a new and innovative way to learn and have fun from kindergarten to university. Teachers benefit from a powerful teaching tool that saves them time with ready-made lessons.
How big is the market for the product and who are its main customers?
The worldwide edtech market is projected to be worth $400 billion in 2025. Our main customers include governments, schools, universities, and also parents for some of our products.
Does the product exist already? If not - at what stage is it and when is it expected to hit the market?
Yes, the product already exists and has been implemented in all schools in Israel since 2020.
Who are the main competitors in this sector and how big are they?
Our direct competitors are platforms that provide streaming video resources or platforms. As a direct competitor, none offers the same content we do – our content primarily consists of entertainment films from major Hollywood studios, such as Disney, Warner Brothers, Universal, and Marvel. Competitors in this sector include Brainpop, Kanopy, Discovery Education, and YouTube Education.
What is the added value that the founders bring to the company and the product?
The founders bring over 20 years of experience in management roles or as founders of startups, along with extensive connections in the digital content sector. They have established relationships with major studios, possess knowledge of developing streaming platforms, and are well-versed in educational innovation, technologies, and pedagogic development based on movies (Joanne Ashe from Journeys in Film).
What will the money coming in from the round be used for?
The funds raised from the round will be allocated as follows:
R&D: Developing AI algorithms for a virtual teacher, as part of our strategic partnership with Microsoft Education.
Sales: Expanding the sales team to target priority international markets.
Pedagogic Development: Producing more lessons based on films.
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