DreamBox Learning

DreamBox Learning is an American online software provider that focuses on mathematics education at the elementary and middle school level.[2][3][4][5] It provides pre-kindergarten through 8th-grade students with over 2,000 lessons presented as animated adventures, games, and challenges.[4][6][7]

DreamBox Learning
TypePrivately Held
IndustrySoftware
Founded2006 (2006)
Founders
  • Lou Gray
  • Ben Slivka
HeadquartersBellevue, Washington,
United States
Key people
Woolley-Wilson, president and chief executive officer[1]
ProductsMathematics Adaptive Learning Technology
Owner
WebsiteDreambox Learning

In August 2023, it was announced that the company would be acquired by Discovery Education, a Charlotte-based education technology company backed by Clearlake Capital Group, for an undisclosed amount.[8] On October 12, Discovery Education completed the purchase of DreamBox Learning.[9]

History

In 2006, DreamBox Learning was founded in Bellevue, Washington by the CEO and serial entrepreneur Lou Gray, and former Microsoft employee Ben Slivka.[10][11][12] In 2010, DreamBox Learning was acquired by the Charter School Growth Fund.[3][12] The acquisition was sponsored by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings through a program-related investment.[3][12] Jessie Woolley-Wilson became president and CEO of DreamBox Learning shortly after the acquisition.[3][12]

The software was designed for students outside the classroom to augment their mathematics education and school districts seeking to enhance their mathematics curriculum.[4][10] 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][13] The company released a free iOS app, DreamBox Math Learning program, in 2013.[14]

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.[15] Also in 2014, the International Society for Technology Education reported that DreamBox added the Spanish language support to its adaptive math software for students in grades K-8.[16] In 2016, the company updated its K-8 math curriculum with the ability to create custom assignments for individual students.[17]

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.
  3. US$14.5M Series A, December 2013 – led by Reed Hastings and John Doerr.[18][19]
  4. US$10M Series B, 2015 – led by Owl Ventures.[20]
  5. US$130M Series C, July 2018
  6. US$210M Series D, May 2023.

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, but could not state for certain that this was the result of using the computer program, despite attempting to control for student motivation or quality of instruction.[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. FinSMEs (29 August 2023). "Discovery Education to Acquire DreamBox Learning". FinSMEs. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  9. "Clearlake Capital-Backed Discovery Education Completes Acquisition of DreamBox Learning". Discovery Education UK. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  10. Shepard, Kim (15 April 2012). "Counting sheep: Raise math scores at bedtime". MYNorthwest. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  11. 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.
  12. "DreamBox re-positions itself for focus on K-12 market". GeekWire. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  13. "Free DreamBox Learning for Math". Penniless Teacher. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  14. Bolkan, Joshua (18 November 2013). "DreamBox Launches Free Math App for iPad". The Journal. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  15. "DreamBox Launches Adaptive Math Curriculum for Middle Schools". The Journal. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  16. "Fifty from ISTE: 50 new ed-tech services". eSchool News. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  17. "New DreamBox Learning Feature Provides Personalized Learning Experiences". Getting Smart. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  18. Wan, Tony (17 December 2013). "Netflix' Reed Hastings Leads $14.5M Series A1 for DreamBox". edSurge. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  19. Cook, John (17 December 2013). "Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, VC John Doerr invest $14.5M in DreamBox Learning". Geekwire. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  20. Lamm, Greg (27 August 2015). "Bellevue's DreamBox Learning lands $10 million in funding". American City Business Journals.
  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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