Name: +1 Math Website: www.plus1math.com Headquarters: New York, USA Vertical: K-12, STEM Tech: Web App, Mobile App
Introduce your startup and give a short description of what you are doing.
We are creating an online and mobile math app that will help students of all levels master math in a fun and relaxed way.
+1 Math is a gamified, social app for smartphone, tablet and desktop computer that prepares students for standardized tests such as The Common Core, and it lets them learn at their own pace.
We want everyone to have this program, regardless of income, so we're giving this program away for free to students from low-income families.
Who are the founders, how did you meet, what are your different roles in the startup.
Elie Venezky - Educational Director Phil Cohen - CEO Founder Bios: www.profnetconnect.com/philcohen www.profnetconnect.com/elievenezky
We met through mutual friends many years ago and discovered similar interests and philosophies about education and helping children grow and learn. We came together to form Prestige Prep, an academic tutoring and test preparation company in NYC.
How was the idea for your startup born?
When The Common Core was first introduced, we got a frantic call from Phil's son's math teacher, who said he didn't have enough questions to prepare his students for the test. So Elie created 200 questions that the school used to help kids get ready.
The stress around The Common Core is clear. And Elie and Phil both realized that teachers and students needed something extra to get them prepared and confident about the test. So +1 Math was born.
What is the main problem in education that you aim to solve.
Students aren't learning math in a way that's usable or in a way that sticks. Government tests and standards are moving us away from true math knowledge, not towards it. And on top of that, it's adding stress and anxiety. When you see an 8 year-old crying because she's afraid of an exam, you know we have a problem.
So we're trying to teach math in a fun, relaxed way that meets students where they are (technology, games, social interaction) and relieve the anxiety around math that so many students and their parents feel.
Who are your main competitors? What sets you apart from them?
Ixl, Udemy, Aleks.
- +1 Math is gamified and has a strong social component that makes it more attractive to students.
- +1 Math is easier to use for both students and parents.
- The presentation of questions on +1 Math is more similar to actual tests than our competitors' presentation of questions, so our program is better at preparing students for their actual tests.
In which markets / regions are you active. What markets / regions are next.
We'll be active all over the US.
Who is your target audience.
- Student users grades 4-12
- Parents
- Teachers who would like to use technology in or outside of the classroom for student-personalized skill building, and to augment standard curriculum.
Any student who wants to improve in math. Any student who loves math. Any student who fears math.
Parents who want their child to succeed in math and feel more relaxed around the subject. Parents who are nervous about standardized tests. Parents who care about education.
How do you engage with your target audience. How do you convert them into users of your product.
We're meeting students where they are, which means a mixture of gaming and technology. Plus, students have a lot of anxiety around math. When they see that +1Math is a calming, fun way to learn, they'll want to play.
On top of that, there are built in social and (optional) competitive aspects that will attract students.
What is your business model. How much does your product / service cost.
You can find our executive summary as part of our online pressroom: http://budurl.com/plus1math
$60 for a year's subscription. Free for students from low-income families.
If you raised funding, how much did you raise. Who are your investors. If not, are you planning to raise funding.
We will have raised over $75,000 from a Kickstarter campaign, and we are now talking with investors to raise a half million.
Are there milestones you are especially proud of and would like to share.
We are very proud of achieving our Kickstarter goal. It shows that there is a real need for a math program that students want to use.
There is so much anxiety around math. The fact that we are helping alleviate that, and can bring calm to families, makes us very proud.
What are the next steps in growing your startup.
Our beta is in production and we're starting testing with students. We're also speaking with investors to raise capital.
How can people get in touch with you.
Email: plus1math@gmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/plus1mathapp Twitter: www.twitter.com/plus1math Instagram: www.instagram.com/plus1math Web: www.plus1math.com Virtual Press Room: http://budurl.com/plus1math
Operation Top 10 Grassroots Movement Google Group Google Community Email: operationtop10@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/operationtop10 Facebook: www.facebook.com/operationtop10 Instagram: www,instagram.com/operationtop10
Prestige Prep: www,prestigeprep.com Telephone: 800.381.3266
Anything else you would like to add.
Math does not have to cause such anxiety. There are clear and direct ways to teach math so that most people can understand and use it. These skills are important for a lot of jobs.
We love helping students and we love helping families feel relaxed around education, so they can enjoy each other and concentrate on being together and having fun and less on math homework. With this program, we can help a lot of people.