DreamBox (company)

DreamBox Learning is an online software provider that focuses on mathematics education at the elementary and middle school level.[2][3][4][5] DreamBox Learning provides pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade students with over 1,800 lessons presented as animated adventures, games, and challenges.[4][6][7][8]

Dreambox Learning
TypePrivately Held
IndustrySoftware
Founded2006
FounderLou Gray and Ben Slivka
HeadquartersBellevue, Washington
Key people
Woolley-Wilson, president and chief executive officer[1]
ProductsMathematics Adaptive Learning Technology
WebsiteDreambox Learning

History

In 2006, DreamBox Learning was founded in Bellevue, Washington by the CEO and serial entrepreneur Lou Gray, and former Microsoft employee Ben Slivka.[8][9][10] In 2010, DreamBox Learning was acquired by the Charter School Growth Fund.[3][10] The acquisition was sponsored by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings through a program-related investment.[3][10] Jessie Woolley-Wilson became president and CEO of DreamBox Learning shortly after the acquisition.[3][10]

The software was designed for students outside the classroom to augment their mathematics education and school districts seeking to enhance their mathematics curriculum.[4][8] In 2012, thefirm offered free trial licensing of lessons aligned with the Common Core State Standards Initiative to all schools within the United States.[6][11] The company released a free iPad app, DreamBox Math Learning program, in 2013.[12]

In 2014, the firm launched its Adaptive Math Curriculum for students in grades six through eight, with topics including basic functions, geometry, single-variable algebra, and ratios.[13] Also in 2014, the International Society for Technology Education reported that DreamBox added Spanish language support to its adaptive math software for students in grades K-8 [14] In 2016, the company updated its K-8 math curriculum with the ability to create custom assignments for individual students.[15]

Funding

DreamBox has raised money through at least the following funding rounds.

  1. US$7.1M Seed, October 2007
  2. US$11M Series A, December 2011 – three investors: Reed Hastings, Kleiner Perkins, and GSV Capital.[16]
  3. US$14.5M Series A, December 2013 – led by Reed Hastings and John Doerr.[17][18]
  4. US$10M Series B, 2015 – led by Owl Ventures.[19]
  5. US$130M Series C, July 2018[20]

DreamBox Learning is partnered with the education startup Clever Inc.[21] In 2016, The Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University performed a study that found a positive correlation between using DreamBox's adaptive learning and test scores.[22]


References
  1. "DreamBox Learning CEO: How tech will shape the future of schools". GeekWire. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  2. Weber, Matt. "Harvard EdCast: Adaptive Ed Tech". Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  3. Ark, Tom Vander (13 June 2012). "DreamBox Learning: Adaptive, Engaging, and Motivating Math". HuffPost. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  4. Adams, Caralee. "Individualized Learning". Scholastic. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  5. DeSilver, Drew. "Local, national venture financing declines for fourth quarter 2011". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  6. Rotherham, Andrew J. (26 January 2012). "Can Computers Replace Teachers?". Time. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  7. Thompson, Dan. "DreamBox Expands Web-Based Math Learning Tool to Grade 5". The Journal. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  8. Shepard, Kim. "Counting sheep: Raise math scores at bedtime". MYNorthwest. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  9. Huang, Gregory T. "DreamBox Learning Bought by Netflix CEO (and Microsoft Board Member) Reed Hastings and Charter Fund—Some More Context". Xconomy. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  10. "DreamBox re-positions itself for focus on K-12 market". GeekWire. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  11. "Free DreamBox Learning for Math". Penniless Teacher. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  12. Bolkan, Joshua (18 November 2013). "DreamBox Launches Free Math App for iPad". The Journal. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  13. "DreamBox Launches Adaptive Math Curriculum for Middle Schools". The Journal. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  14. "Fifty from ISTE: 50 new ed-tech services". eSchool News. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  15. "New DreamBox Learning Feature Provides Personalized Learning Experiences". Getting Smart. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  16. "Series A - DreamBox Learning". crunchbase. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  17. Wan, Tony (17 December 2013). "Netflix' Reed Hastings Leads $14.5M Series A1 for DreamBox". edSurge. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  18. Cook, John (17 December 2013). "Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, VC John Doerr invest $14.5M in DreamBox Learning". Geekwire. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  19. Lamm, Greg (27 August 2015). "Bellevue's DreamBox Learning lands $10 million in funding". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  20. "Series C - DreamBox Learning". crunchbase. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  21. Sailors, John (25 March 2014). "Clever nabs $10 million for education software". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  22. Dobo, Nichole (8 June 2016). "Customized Math Lessons Could Help Students Learn More, Research Says". The Hechinger Report. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
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