SAM Labs produces fully contained, standards-compliant STEAM and coding teaching kits that combine Bluetooth-connected hardware blocks, interactive software, and curriculum-aligned courses for grades K-8. Its flow-based and block-based programming resources and game-based apps are designed for non-technical elementary and middle school teachers and include teacher training and easy classroom management. The company reports its resources are used in more than 4,000 schools, with the U.S. cited as its largest market. CEO and founder Joachim Horn says the company measures itself by increasing student engagement, increasing teacher confidence, and decreasing teacher workload. SAM Labs plans to scale U.S. operations and sales, supplement its significant international presence, and bring new education products to the U.S. and U.K. The business originally launched via Kickstarter with roughly $160,000 raised and, including the latest round, has secured $19.8 million in total investment. SAM Labs offers a STEAM solution for teachers that combines lesson plans, apps and user-friendly electronics to teach coding and engineering across subjects such as biology, probability and music. The company pairs engaging software with hands-on hardware to serve children of varying skill sets and interests. SAM Labs focuses on learning outcomes and efficacy, aiming to improve student and teacher experiences through new technology, cross-curricula lesson plans, schemes of work and professional development. It also provides hands-on customer support and seeks to expand partnerships with government organizations and education companies. Reported partnerships include the City of Helsinki, the UAE Ministry of Education, Microsoft Education and Intel Education. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in London, UK. SAM Labs is a London-based education technology company that makes Bluetooth-connected, battery-powered building-block kits and a drag-and-drop app to teach children Internet of Things concepts. The kits include modules such as buttons, LEDs, servos, sliders, tilt, heat and light sensors, DC motors and buzzers, plus a virtual 'cloud' module that can use a computer camera or send messages to social media. The product is designed for play-based learning and targets children aged seven and older, with guided paths to more advanced hardware platforms. SAM Labs says more than 1,000 schools use its kits in learning or after-school programs, and the company acquired its first roughly 800 customers via a successful 2014 Kickstarter campaign. The company sells directly to parents via its website and through partners such as London’s Science Museum, which featured a special edition kit that increased exposure and sales. With the new funding, SAM Labs plans to further develop the product and expand marketing and sales to STEM-oriented schools internationally while continuing its mission to introduce IoT to kids.

Total raised

$20M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Jul 2019