STEMuli, a Dallas-based minority and woman-owned Web3 education technology startup, announced that it has raised $3.25 million in seed funding co-led by Slauson & Co and Valor Ventures, with participation from Draper Associates.
With the funds, the company plans to expand its reach nationwide to New York, California, Illinois, Georgia, and Washington D.C.
Co-founded by former Apple Inc employees, Taylor Shead and Wade Aston in 2016, STEMuli created an Educational Metaverse that brings a one-of-a-kind 3D game-based platform to the core classroom. Within the digital world, the platform connects companies to their future workforce of K-12 students and endeavours to narrow achievement and employment gaps for users.
Speaking about the company, Founder and CEO of STEMuli, Taylor Shead, said:
“We’re bringing this technology to the country’s largest urban school districts, of which majority of the students are economically disadvantaged. Our vision is to improve learning outcomes by providing ALL students with an experience that rivals playing their favorite video game. The Metaverse consists of the STEMuli navigator, a GPS of learning that ensures every learner reaches their destination every time. Soon learning will be as reliable and ubiquitous as Google Maps. We are pioneering the learn-to-earn model to increase engagement, and utilizing AI to improve teacher’s productivity. The Metaverse is a game-changer for teachers and learners.”
Shed further said:
“This investment will increase performance results worldwide, and make quality education a human right for all. We would not be here today without the guidance of Jack Kelanic, Dr. Usamah Rodgers, Angie Gaylord, and Dr. Olga Romero. Thank you for supporting our innovative efforts.”
Austin Clements, Managing Partner of Slauson & Co, added:
“We have seen the accelerated adoption of digital platforms in education over the last two years, but we’ve only scratched the surface of what has been enabled for remote learning. STEMuli ushers in a new era of learning. Taylor and her team of educators, technologists, and game developers have built the personalized learning metaverse where students learn. We’re excited to see this expand to the rest of the country.”
In August 2021, the company launched its platform at the first hybrid school in Texas, Dallas Hybrid Preparatory at Stephen J. Hay in Oak Lawn.
Commenting on the latest development, Tim Draper of Draper Associates, said:
“STEMuli is reimagining teaching and learning at scale by integrating classrooms with the Metaverse. We at Draper Associates are thrilled to be part of their journey to disrupt traditional learning. It’s incredibly exciting!”
