Rethink Education to Invest $5mm in Seed Stage, Underrepresented Founders Improving Learning Outcomes and Economic Mobility
Summary
“Our mission is to help all learners reach their full potential and make sure the founders solving those challenges are reflective of those who face the greatest barriers in education,” says Ebony Brown, who is leading this initiative. “The investment strategy for Rethink Education III has moved upstream focusing less on seed and preferring companies with slightly more traction and product market fit. Many Black and brown founders lack the disposable income individually and among family and friends to bootstrap their companies to the viability needed to warrant VC funding. This is measured by a founder’s pedigree, track record of success (scaling companies or operationally) and ability to connect the dots between early traction and a large-scale market opportunity that is understood by investors they are pitching. Previously, Ebony spent time in her hometown of Detroit, managing charter schools at New Urban Learning and began her career as an Account Strategist at Google.