Toronto-based Edsby, a digital learning and data platform for K-12 education, has raised $5.3 million in a Series A funding round to propel its continued growth worldwide.
The round was led by education technology executive Chris Besse, with participation from the company’s existing investors MindAngler Capital, Byye Management, and XDL Capital Group.
Founded in 2010, Edsby is an award-winning SaaS-based digital learning and data platform that engages students, teachers, parents and administrators on all of their devices. It gives school districts, states and provinces or national governments powerful new ways to teach and learn and facilitate their digital transformations.
Edsby combines learning management system features with advanced assessment, reporting and parent communication – all tailored specifically to the needs of school districts, regions and countries. The platform is used by millions of students, teachers, parents and school districts across North America and elsewhere in the world.
Expressing his excitement and welcoming Chris Besse onboard, John Myers, CEO of Edsby, said,
“The four co-founders of Edsby are delighted to welcome such a successful industry veteran who shares our vision of how modern technology can enhance student learning and achievement. Edsby stands to benefit tremendously from Chris’ deep experience in the K-12 education sector.”
The company plans to use the fresh capital to scale sales and marketing, as well as accelerate its global growth.
In conjunction with the investment, Besse, who is the former CEO of FreshGrade and EdgeMakers and also the former managing director of K-12 at Nelson Education, has joined Edsby as a member of the board and Chief Commercial Officer.
Commenting on the funding, Chris Besse said,
“The more I looked at Edsby, the more I realized the company’s vast market potential. The Edsby platform’s unique and comprehensive breadth of features provides K-12 education with the best cloud-based, enterprise solution for managing learning.”
In 2019, Edsby rolled out its platform in New Zealand. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company claims it has onboarded more new K-12 school district customers this fall than in any previous year. Edsby had raised an undisclosed amount in its seed round in 2014.
The Edsby team has been building scalable, reliable software systems for education organizations around the world for over 30 years using latest technology and standards. Its founders include the founders and architects of FirstClass, a messaging and collaboration product used by millions of students and teachers around the world and credited as one of the earliest learning management systems.
