Zen Educate, the leading online marketplace that connects schools with the best substitute teachers and teaching assistants, has announced a significant milestone. The company has successfully raised $37 million in a Series B funding round, the largest in European educational technology in 2024. This round was led by Round2 Capital, a prominent European growth investment firm, with participation from existing investors Adjuvo, Brighteye Ventures, FJ Labs, Ascension Ventures, and notable angels, including Octopus founder and CEO Simon Rogerson.
With the successful completion of the Series B funding round, Zen Educate, headquartered in London, is poised for significant expansion. The startup plans to make strategic acquisitions in the UK and the US, bolstering its presence in both markets. Additionally, it will accelerate the development and scaling of the new school workforce management software, a suite of SaaS products designed for credentialing, compliance, and absence management.
Established in 2017 by Slava Kremerman and Oren Cohen, Zen Educate is on a mission to revolutionize the way schools find substitute teachers. The platform offers a modern, algorithm-based solution by directly connecting schools with qualified teachers. Teachers and schools can create profiles and connect based on proximity, skills, and experience. This innovative approach leads to faster, more accurate matches, reducing hiring costs for schools and optimizing resource allocation.
Speaking on the fundraising, Slava Kremerman, Co-founder and CEO of Zen Educate, said:
We’ve been on a mission to solve schools’ workforce challenges. This investment brings us closer to our goal of helping the education system save over $100 million annually through our fairer, more efficient recruitment model. As we enter the next phase of our journey, we aim to reach out to more educational institutions across the UK and US.
Educators working through the Zen Educate platform have delivered over two million hours of education in the past 12 months, saving the education system over $25 million that would have been wasted on agency fees through its cost-effective approach. The firm currently operates in the UK and the US, with plans to broaden its presence across the US in the coming years. Through strategic acquisitions and platform expansion, it aims to consolidate the fragmented educational staffing market and transform the sector globally.
Christian Czernich, Co-founder and CEO of Round2 Capital, commented:
Zen Educate has successfully solved a significant challenge faced by educational facilities daily. The team’s deep understanding of the edtech landscape is evident, and their remarkable growth, nearly fivefold over the last 24 months, is a testament to their effectiveness.
In February last year, Zen Educate acquired Opus Education. More recently, it acquired Aquinas Education, which was co-owned by television presenter and former footballer Jermaine Jenas. He will now join Zen Educate as a brand ambassador.
