DreamBox (company)

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

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 2,000 lessons presented as animated adventures, games, and challenges.[4][6][7][8]

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, the firm 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.[citation needed]
  3. US$14.5M Series A, December 2013 – led by Reed Hastings and John Doerr.[16][17]
  4. US$10M Series B, 2015 – led by Owl Ventures.[18]
  5. US$130M Series C, July 2018[citation needed]

DreamBox Learning is partnered with the education startup [19] 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.[20]

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. ^ a b c d Ark, Tom Vander (13 June 2012). "DreamBox Learning: Adaptive, Engaging, and Motivating Math". HuffPost. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  4. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ Wan, Tony (17 December 2013). "Netflix' Reed Hastings Leads $14.5M Series A1 for DreamBox". edSurge. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  17. ^ Cook, John (17 December 2013). "Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, VC John Doerr invest $14.5M in DreamBox Learning". Geekwire. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  18. ^ Lamm, Greg (27 August 2015). "Bellevue's DreamBox Learning lands $10 million in funding". American City Business Journals.
  19. ^ Sailors, John (25 March 2014). "Clever nabs $10 million for education software". Silicon Valley Business Journal. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  20. ^ 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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