Online Education A Hot Business for Startups

So, how familiar are you with online education? Oh, sure, there are those commercials on television, in magazines, or on websites for online universities such as the University of Phoenix, but online education covers so much more than liberal arts programs nowadays.


online education programs with best chances for top careers
Online education offers opportunities for students and startup entrepreneurs alike

In fact, online education is spawning an entire generation of startups dedicated to the noble art of learning. These bright fresh faces offer everything from accelerated learning programs for children to online technology degrees.

A Burgeoning Online Education Market

Funding for education startups has gone from $146 million in 2002 to $429 million in 2011, a tripled increase. MIT and Harvard have joined forces in creating EdX, which offers online courses for free, and in July 2012 attracted a $1 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

If You Want Something Done Right, Start Your Own Company

Public education in the US is a hot topic these days, especially whenever a new study comes out that shows American students academically lagging behind the students of other countries. Then, of course, there’s the furor over education budget cuts, teacher qualifications, and the like. Parents out there are concerned about the quality of their children’s education, and worrying about whether the current system can accommodate the vast array of challenges that students present. Just like Netflix’s CEO founded the company in the wake of a $40 late fee from Blockbuster, one online education company, WhipSmart Learning, was founded by Matthew Gross after he was informed that the public school system where his son was enrolled couldn’t handle the boy’s difficulties in learning how to read. This story just goes to show you that one of the coolest ways to start a company is when you personally experience an inconvenience or obstacle, and you deal with it by creating your own business that fills that niche, if not for you then at least for others in the same boat.

Emerging Education Startups

WhipSmart is one of ten startups that Kaplan Inc,, the education services company, is helping to get going courtesy of their Kaplan EdTech Accelerator program. EdTech Accelerator is an intense, three-month deep immersion program that is nurturing ten education startups in collaboration with TechStars, a national startup accelerator. This group of ten includes companies that benefit such distinct groups such as college students, elementary school kids, and military veterans. These fledgling companies receive mentoring, office space, and even the opportunity to make a pitch to angel investors, venture capitalists, and education influencers. And this is just the first ten companies in the EdTech Accelerator’s “class”. There will be further batches of startups down the road, ready to claim their share of the online education market.

Find That Need, And Fill It

The demand for education, the desire for training, is out there in full force, and shows no signs of slowing down. The challenge is matching up the skill set of the prospective education start-up with the nice market that desires those services. Whether it’s kindergarten, elementary school, or university level education, the market is rich and rewarding for those with the vision and skills to take advantage of it.

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Born and raised in the Boston area, I was rocketed to New Hampshire, where under the Granite State's yellow sun and lack of income tax, I have gained the powers of super-sarcasm, brilliant creativity, and slightly disturbing sense of humor.

22 Responses to “Online Education A Hot Business for Startups”

  1. Stephan

    Jan 13. 2014

    Very nice content
    I think Long distance – education is getting more popular those days. For some special students, that’s the only way they can observe the knowledge effectively and we can prevent bully which is considered biggest issue in school those days.
    thanks for your sharing.

    stephan

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    • Website

      Jul 06. 2014

      Online education is becoming more and more famous now a days. I appreciate this

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  2. Nishadha

    Jan 18. 2014

    With Internet penetration levels skyrocketing in most countries online education will be big for sure. Just look at Khan Academy if you want inspiration.

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  3. Hugo

    Feb 10. 2014

    Very informative blog. Its right that distance education with e-learning made great revolutions in education. Now many students want to complete their study parallel with job. Many universities of different countries are working for this. I’ve also done my Post graduation with my job from distance e-learning. online learning is best way to improve skills, learning and knowledge.

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  4. Vishal

    Feb 12. 2014

    Now days all the person want to educated in this technology world.
    So, Distance education will develop his skills in there technology.

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  5. Nikhil

    Feb 13. 2014

    Sir,
    I completed my graduation in Electronics and Telecommunication. Now I want to Post Graduation or any course Online. Any Distance Education institute providing online course.?

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  6. Zack

    Mar 04. 2014

    Excellent and informative site. With tuition prices rising beyond what the student from middle class homes can afford, online education is going to be the wave of the future

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  7. Vishnu

    Mar 04. 2014

    Yes online education is a great niche. I am currently working on the same in my website to educate students. I am even planning to start a Earn to Learn programs. Currently I am only providing question papers and resources. On the first day itself i got a good response.
    I am providing everything for free, counselling and admission to colleges.

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  8. John

    Mar 05. 2014

    Try a Google search with those parameters for a good start.

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  9. Kelly

    Mar 19. 2014

    The future of education is with the technology. Online courses and e-learning has made education affordable and easier.

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  10. Jt

    Mar 19. 2014

    Definitely a game-changer. It brings education within reach of those who may otherwise, for whatever reason, be unable to pursue it.

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  11. John

    Mar 26. 2014

    I am extremely pleased to find this valuable information from your site. This is very helpful for me. 

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  12. Richard

    Apr 01. 2014

    Honestly, the internet is becoming a better tool for society every day. I have a friend whose kid is now doing classes online. Public school is great in many parts of the country, but struggles in others. Online schools can help make a better environment for certain children to learn. Great article!

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  13. Davis

    Apr 03. 2014

    You’re right John. More and more businesses based on online education or feeding off it have started to come up.

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  14. Sandra

    Apr 26. 2014

    Wow this will open mind for everyone who doesn’t know about online education. Thanks for your post, Online education takes an effective way for learning advantage.

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  15. aleix

    May 02. 2014

    Thanks for sharing the info about online education a hot for startups. I do think this is a great site for online education.

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  16. tariq

    May 14. 2014

    very great post thank very much
    online education is best way to learn

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  17. Tegan

    May 16. 2014

    There are many people who have built an online education for startups. Truly a great motivation to make perfect online education setups.

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  18. Deepak

    May 17. 2014

    sites like codeacademy are great examples of online education startups

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  19. Adrianna

    Jun 28. 2014

    Thanks for sharing. I would definitely consider these points to online education a hot business for startups.

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  20. Alejandra

    Jun 30. 2014

    Thanks for the share! Great idea, I will implement this and would check result.

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  21. Zoey

    Jul 03. 2014

    Education is part of everyone life, without education person is nothing. This is good article, provides online education setups.

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Leave a Reply to Nikhil