Parents worldwide strive to prioritise their children’s early education and better prepare them for an uncertain future dominated by fast-paced technological change. However, they are torn between limiting children’s exposure to noisy media and entertainment environments, and enabling them to learn to use technology from an early age. We believe there must be a viable, in-between solution that also complements what kids are taught in school.
This is why we are excited to partner with Nurture, a startup creating a new way for children aged 4 – 7 to learn foundational skills through immersive play. Father of two young boys, Nurture Co-founder & CEO Roger Egan had an important realization in early 2020 after selling his last startup to Alibaba: for the first time in history, no one knows what skills or jobs will be relevant in 20 years.
In the midst of the pandemic and remote learning, Roger was struck by the major disconnect between how and what children are taught in school and their preparedness for the future, particularly one powered by AI. For him and many other parents, foundational skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, mindfulness, empathy [and resilience] are key to thriving in today’s rapidly changing world, yet they are missing from traditional education.
He named the problem “the life preparedness gap” and immediately knew his next venture would be focused on closing this gap. Together with co-founders Danny Limanseta, Scott and Julie Stewart, and Sally Doherty, Nurture is bridging the disconnect between how and what their kids are taught in school and their preparedness for the future.
Nurture’s Immersive Learning Media (ILM) platform combines the best aspects of children’s television and gaming to create immersive story-based adventures. Learning themes are introduced in the story and kids apply the skills they learn in interactive games and creative projects.
Roger Egan III, Co-Founder & CEO of Nurture highlights:
“I witnessed first hand how traditional education focuses on teaching kids what to learn, not how to learn. I knew I had to find ways to supplement my boys’ education to help them adapt to a rapidly changing world. With what, though? None of the existing alternatives fully addressed the problem. Homeschooling is too time-consuming, and there are too few alternative schools and they’re unaffordable for most families. Educational TV is heavy on entertainment, light on education, and learning apps don’t hold kids’ attention; plus they focus on academic skills, not critical life skills.”
Nurture’s solution, developed with leading experts in children’s education and entertainment is designed following three major guiding principles:
- Engages kids as much as their favorite shows and video games. It has to compete with their favourite entertainment, and win!
- Builds on a science-backed learning framework that reinforces how to learn, not simply what to learn.
- Uses interactive play to reinforce learning through practice and application.
Manuel Bronstein, Chief Product Officer Roblox and Nurture Advisor, emphasises: “I believe that Nurture’s unique combination of engaging story and fun interactivity is the right approach for preschoolers. The opportunity is huge.”
Besides single device experiences, adventures are enhanced with Nurture’s pioneering dual-screen format (TV + mobile / tablet) – a new form of interactive TV. Interaction between screens creates a magical, immersive experience, where kids help their favorite characters and become the heroes of the story.
Unlike most streaming media channels and children’s games, the Nurture app contains exclusively learning-focused, age-appropriate, interactive adventures – truly guilt-free screen time.
On why we partnered with Nurture, our Co-founder and Managing Partner Reshma Sohoni comments:
“After trying the Nurture app with my 5-year-old, I was convinced that children will find Nurture’s magical experience much more engaging than traditional media. Nurture transforms mindless screen time into an interactive learning adventure.”
We are excited to co-lead Nurture’s $2.8 million pre-seed round alongside Golden Gate Ventures, and Reach Capital. With the new funds, the company will develop its Immersive Learning Media (ILM) platform and establish it as a new category of media called Immersive Learning Media that prepares children for the uncertainty of an AI-driven future.
Nurture has just released their invitation-only Beta, currently available on iOS in the US, Canada, UK, and Singapore. Parents, you can sign up to join Nurture’s community and help them close the Life Preparedness Gap by equipping your children with the skills they need to thrive in the future.