Durham-based Personalized Learning Games has raised just over $165,000 of a $525,000 equity round, according to a regulatory filing. The company, a spin-out of the 3C Institute, makes educational games.
According to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company has raised $165,175, of $525,175 sought. Seven investors participated so far.
Founded in April 2015, the company developed its initial products, Zoo U, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Zoo U was a finalists for the “Most Significant Impact Award” at the 12th Annual Games for Change Awards, chose from 150 other firms.
It didn’t win, but Triangle starup veteran and CEO Tim Huntley, told WRAL at the time “It was an honor to be nominated.” It was certainly impressive for a product just coming out of the gate.
Based on research b y Melissa DeRosier, the game helps elementary students communicate, cooperate, empathize and interact with each other.
The company’s web site describes the game, still the firm’s only current product, as a game that “assesses social and emotional skills and provides personalized intervention based on the assessment. Children are not aware they’re being evaluated.
Players are students in a school for future zoo keepers. Principal Wild and “A host of friendly animals help them learn critical skills as they navigate common social and emotional learning scenarios.”
Behind the scenes, Zoo U collects data on the child’s “every move, including dialog choices, mouse clicks, and how long they take to complete a scene.”
The company was formally located in Cary.
On the web:
http://personalizedlearninggames.com/
You can watch a demo here: http://personalizedlearninggames.com/zoo-u-demo/
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1653603/000146137315000041/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml
