Participated · Series A · Feb 2022

Tutored by Teachers is an NYC-based EdTech startup that partners directly with schools to provide evidence-based small-group virtual instruction delivered by highly qualified, certified teachers. It focuses on matching high-need, under-served K-12 students with supplemental tutoring while offering teachers competitive compensation and pathways into education management roles within the company. Led by Shaan Akbar and Rahul Kalita, the program is already operating in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Indianapolis and Charlotte. The company raised over $10M in a Series A and intends to use the funds to expand its teacher community and increase capacity to serve more than 10,000 K-12 students this year. The core product is school-partnership-based virtual small-group instruction with an emphasis on evidence-based practice and scaling teacher-led delivery. The Series A proceeds are intended to support teacher recruitment, community expansion, and operational scaling to meet the stated student-service target. Tutored By Teachers (TbT) operates a national online tutoring program that pairs certified, teacher-led virtual support with students in school-based small groups. The platform offers a structured user experience—two hours of tutoring up to five days a week—without disrupting the school day and pays teachers $36 an hour for secondary employment. TbT reports nearly 4,000 student hours logged to date, is on track to serve 1,000 students through its Summer Academy, and has secured district-level customers for the 2021–2022 school year. Early metrics show impact on socio-emotional learning (SEL) and academic gains. The company has school partners in New York, New Jersey, Mississippi, Alabama, and California and plans to launch in two additional states this summer. DEI is core to its model: 80% of students identify as BIPOC, the teacher base largely identifies as people of color, over three-fourths hold graduate degrees in education, and 40% are certified in special education.

Participated · Equity · Oct 2021

Amplify publishes evidence-based core and supplemental K–12 curriculum and formative assessment products that combine high-quality content with digital delivery. Its portfolio includes market-leading literacy and science programs, a digital supplemental program (Boost Reading), and the mCLASS early reading assessment. Amplify is launching a suite of math programs that pair the IM K–12 Math™ open-source curriculum (Illustrative Mathematics®) with the Desmos Classroom platform. The company reports serving close to a third of U.S. K–8 students, delivering products to over half a million teachers, and reaching more than 10 million students in all 50 states. By meeting demand for digital-forward, evidence-based programs, Amplify says its bookings grew at over a 50% compound annual growth rate from 2017–2022. The company was founded in 2000 and operates with a stated focus on driving measurable academic gains when schools implement its programs with fidelity. Amplify publishes next‑generation curriculum and assessment programs for K–12 schools, with core offerings across ELA, math, and science and digital supplemental products. Its portfolio includes Amplify Science, Amplify Reading, and the mCLASS® early reading assessment. Amplify emphasizes research‑based, technology‑enabled instructional programs and formative assessment tools that turn data into instructional support. The company reaches more than 10 million students in 4,000 districts across all 50 states and has a growing international presence. Amplify reports bookings growth of 50% year‑over‑year from 2017–2020 and says it has been profitable and growing for six years in a row. The company plans to use the new capital for strategic acquisitions and to accelerate product development, with a focus on its digital supplemental programs.