15 February 2016

PRESS RELEASE – The company Classcraft specializes in education technologies (Edtechs) and is entering a new stage in its development. Its in-class learning game is in the pre-marketing phase thanks to a round of financing through which it was able to obtain $1.4M.

Classcraft aims to revolutionize teaching methods for motivating students to work together and excel in their classes. Students have an in-game avatar, which progresses based on their successful or less successful actions in the classroom. “By obtaining points, they may receive rewards that carry over into real life: being able to hand in work late, listen to music during work periods, leave the class for two minutes, etc.” said the CEO of Classcraft Studios and game creator, Shawn Young.

Investments of $1.4M were required to carry out the pre-marketing phase of Classcraft’s game. To help the company launch its technology on the market, Sherbrooke Innopole made an investment through its new pre-marketing fund, along with several private investors, someone of whom are members of Anges Québec. Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions allocated a repayable contribution of $200 000, under its Quebec Economic Development Program.

“Classcraft is a very promising company with a unique and innovative product. The co-founders were even invited to the White House in December to participate in a discussion table focused on the contribution of video games to the learning process, which demonstrates their solid reputation in this field,” said Marc-Henri Faure, Counsellor – Information & Communication Technologies at Sherbrooke Innopole.

“As Classcraft Studios Inc.’s project demonstrates, digital technologies improve our quality of life and contribute to the growth of the Canadian economy. The Government of Canada is proud to support the introduction of this Sherbrooke company’s innovative product onto foreign markets,” said the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, the Honourable Navdeep Bains.

The game was created by Shawn Young when he taught physics at Sherbrooke’s Séminaire Salésien high school. Seeing the game’s potential, his brother Devin Young and his father Lauren Young chose to join in the adventure. In 2013, the three family members created the company Classcraft Studios Inc. Since then, it has been one piece of good news after another for the company whose game is now used by 600 000 people in 75 countries.

“Since our company’s early days, we have received a warm reception from teachers using the Classcraft program. This round of financing will enable us to develop new ways of expanding into new markets, including the parents of students. We are excited to see that new opportunities are opening up for us,” said Shawn Young.

The company has 1 part-time and 10 full-time employees. In the next two years, 24 people should work there, including 16 in Sherbrooke.

Sources: Classcraft and Sherbrooke Innopole

Photo Credit : Classcraft Studios