InstaEDU operates an online tutoring marketplace serving users ages 13 and up, with a current emphasis on STEM subjects though tutors cover a broad range of topics. Tutoring sessions on the platform cost students $25–$45 per hour. There are more than 3,000 tutors on the site who make an average of $70 per week, with top instructors earning thousands per month. The company reports profitable operations in its tutoring business segment, though the overall company is not yet profitable as it focuses on growth. InstaEDU is based in San Francisco and plans to use new funding to scale product offerings and add employees to its existing full-time staff of 13. InstaEDU provides on-demand video tutoring where students pay by the minute to connect with vetted tutors from schools like Stanford, Harvard, and MIT. Students enter the subject they need help with, the platform pings appropriate tutors who are online, and connects the two over video chat until the student’s problem is solved. The service emphasizes speed and live interaction; 55% of student–tutor matches are made in under a minute. The company plans to use the seed funding to grow its team and build features such as advanced scheduling and a personalized matching engine to pair students with tutors who share similar interests. Founders Alison and Dan Johnston and VP of engineering Joey Shurtleff built the product from prior in-person tutoring and chat-scheduling experience; Alison previously served as community manager of Aardvark. The company is positioning itself as a human-side complement to automated learning resources and a marketplace for last-minute, high-value tutoring.

Total raised

$5M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Aug 2013