5 New Start-Ups in the Online Education Sector

by Startacus Admin

5 New Start-Ups in the Online Education Sector

With the growing popularity of e-learning platforms, it is no surprise that there has been a rapid surge in online education start-ups, also known as ‘EdTech’ – Educational Technology. We are now in a digital age, where anyone with online access can learn anything, anywhere.

Over the last ten years the amount of venture capital funding going into EdTech has quadrupled, from $154 million in 2003 to $630 million in 2012, well representing the popularity and growing demand for e-learning courses. In a time of recession, venture capitalists invested more than $150 million in EdTech firms in 2009, compared to the previous year. Below is a list of five of the latest market leading EdTech firms in the online education sector that have established themselves rather quickly.

1) Filtered has an online built in platform that ‘filters’ your current ability across Microsoft Office programmes (Excel, PowerPoint and Word). It then provides you with content specifically tailored to your current level, making sure you learn only what you need to. Filtered courses take into consideration a variety of old and new Microsoft Office programmes, ideal for users interested in the latest 2013 version of Microsoft Excel for example. The website perfectly suits business training thanks to a variety of corporate widgets – from company dashboards to live access to reports on the progress of each member of staff. New users have an opportunity to trial the platform on the Filtered website here http://filtered.com/  @FilteredCourses

2) Skillsology also offers Microsoft Office courses but as part of a larger library: Advanced Excel, Basic Accounts, PCs for Beginners, App Design, Web Design, Beauty School and most recently a DIY Home Improvements course. With a modern look and user-friendly website, Skillsology looks set to take the e-learning market by storm with their strong branding, complemented by industry specific writers designing the courses – which are recognised as CPD (Continuous Professional Development) global certifications. Check them out here http://skillsology.com/  @Skillsology

3) EdX is a non-profit platform that offers interactive online classes from universities all over the world. Topics range from over 25 standard mainstream courses (from biology to mathematics) undertaken at universities. The main advantage is that the courses are free if your application is successfully accepted; however the courses which include ID verified Certificates of Achievement require a fee. Unlike standard e-learning platforms, EdX encourages peer-to-peer social learning through tools that help you connect with smart and passionate people on a global scale.  https://www.edx.org/  @edXOnline

4) Udacity is aimed at high school/university students and working professionals who desire to expand their knowledge in specialist subjects such as business, computer science, mathematics, design and science. Providing a very detailed online e-learning platform, Udacity allows users to select their own level of knowledge, ranging from beginners through to advanced. Udacity’s core content is represented by the strength and depth of their computer science subjects, covering most topics which concern any computer scientist (aka geek).  https://www.udacity.com/  @Udacity

5) Duolingo is a brand new e-learning platform that helps users learn new languages. Ranging from Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian, French and German, these user-friendly courses are now available on a variety of mobile devices – with their brand new app complemented with an entirely free service. Apple awarded them 2013 app of the year (the first time an e-learning platform has won this award). Duolingo are able to offer this service for free as the content provided across their website is user-generated. How does it work? Duolingo gets users to research and translate sentences, which are then rated by other users depending on their suitability. With the option of discussions also, Duolingo almost acts as a modern forum. It now counts over five million active users, and has continued to grow to become one of the most recognised e-learning platforms for languages in the world.  http://www.duolingo.com/  @Duolingo

By Carlo Pandian, freelance writer based in London. See his About.me profile here.

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Published on: 4th February 2014