TECHdotMN: News about Minnesota Startups

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Richfield-based Kidblog is raising a $400k first round of capital, according to a disclosure document recently filed with the SEC.

“Kidblog.org is designed for elementary and middle school teachers who want to provide each student with an individual blog.  Kidblog’s simple, yet powerful tools allow students to publish posts and participate in discussions within a secure classroom blogging community. Teachers maintain complete control over student blogs.”

Launched in January 2010 by Matt Hardy and partner Dan Flies, the company has yet to generate revenue, but has experienced exponential adoption over the years, growing the userbase to 1.5m. They must be eager to turn this passion into a real business right about now.

Capella Education Company (NYSE: CPLA) has acquired Minneapolis startup Sophia Learning on undisclosed terms. Launched just 13 months ago, Sophia is a social teaching and learning platform that connects students and teachers worldwide with tutorials on a huge range of academic topics.

Developed by GoKart Labs, the Sophia community of students and teachers has grown to encompass over 170 different countries, representing over 5,000 schools and universities.  The startup had made its own purchase last year when Guaranteach was acquired. Capella plans to expand the reach through the new wholly owned subsidiary to offer nearly 30,000 academic tutorials and quizzes in areas including Algebra, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry and English.

Capella was Sophia’s original outside investor and the former employer of Sophia and GoKart Labs founder Don Smithmier.

The University of Minnesota Office for Technology Commercialization has successfully completed another licensing deal with the launch of Early Learning Labs, which is introducing myIGDIs.

“Now that we’ve finalized our agreement, we’re excited to continue building on the innovative work that originated at the U of M and immediately start offering services to users,” said Early Learning Labs president Steve Johnson, who “developed an interest in early stage growth companies while a student at the University.”

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Via News Release

“MINNEAPOLIS – March 5, 2012 – PLATO Learning, a leading provider of online education solutions for kindergarten through adult learners, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Archipelago Learning (NASDAQ: ARCL), an award-winning software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider of supplemental education products.

The acquisition enhances the comprehensive portfolio of education solutions that PLATO Learning provides to administrators, educators and learners. PLATO Learning is backed by leading middle market private equity firm Thoma Bravo, LLC.”

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By Linda Vanderwerf, West Central Tribune

“RENVILLE — The sign in the hallway tells Renville County West fifth-grade students what they’ll need in class: social studies book, pencil, folder, iPad.

In another classroom, Quick Response codes on the bulletin board can be used to download assignments directly onto an iPad.”

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Homegrown edutech startup Naiku has closed on $320k in angel capital from Omphalos, ‘Rainfund’ 3C and other local investors, according to CEO Corey Thompson.

Naiku was launched earlier this year by Thompson,  Adisack Nhouyvanisvong and Kevin Sampers to provide automated formative and summative assessment solutions that give teachers information to help students achieve their academic goals.  Students can use their mobile devices (laptops, netbooks, iPads, iPods or Android) in place of traditional analog tests, saving valuable classroom time while improving measurability.

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As the global technology industry rapidly evolves and Minnesota’s own sector continues to grow, seeds are sprouting. Look at SaaS, Mobile and Health IT — to name a few.

If it wasn’t already, EduTech is now officially on the list of our hot pockets.

We recently witnessed the rise of Naiku and Capella backed GoKart Labs spinout Sophia — timely examples of the emerging opportunity here.    Both startups were then nominated for a Tekne Award in the first year category . Earlier in the year, Logix Learning and Flying Word Launched. Scantron even made an acquisition.

And it could be said that solving education-oriented problems matters and that there’s no place like home.

“Minnesota edutech cluster a $1b plus market, ” estimates Chad Johnson, Managing Director at Cherry Tree and sponsor of the Minnesota 2011 EduTech Showcase & Forum slated for October 5th at U of M’s McNamara Alumni Center.

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