EdTech startup Bamboo Learning scores $1.4M Seed led by Amazon Alexa Fund to simplify education with interactive voice lessons

Bamboo Learning, an education-focused software and services startup with a mission to teach using voice-based devices, has raised $1.4 million round of seed financing to expand voice applications and content for education and entertainment. Backers include the Alexa Fund, Wavemaker Partners, Unlock Venture Partners, VoicePunch, and technology industry veterans from Amazon, Apple, Disney, and Microsoft. The new funding will also help Bamboo Learning hire software engineers and content producers to accelerate the development of new applications.

Founded last year by ex-Amazon executive Ian Freed (CEO), and Irina Fine, COO and SVP of Content, the Seattle, Washington Bamboo Learning is focused on developing skills for Alexa and that enable children and adults to have fun learning and practicing different subjects while listening, viewing pictures, and using their voice. Bamboo Skills, including Bamboo Math and Bamboo Music, automatically get more challenging as children and adults master different levels.

“Bamboo Learning is a true innovator in developing entertaining educational Alexa skills like Bamboo Luminaries, which just came out today,” said Paul Bernard, Director of the Amazon Alexa Fund. “They work with speed and precision and, given all they’ve accomplished already, we’re excited about the products Bamboo Learning will continue to develop, build and share with customers.”

“Bamboo Learning’s education and entertainment products are available on over 100 million Alexa devices worldwide. With Bamboo Math, Bamboo Books, Bamboo Music, and now Bamboo Luminaries, anyone can start learning and playing solely with the power of their voice,” said Ian Freed, Co-Founder and CEO of Bamboo Learning. Freed previously oversaw the Kindle and Echo businesses for Amazon.

The company’s latest application, Bamboo® Luminaries, was also announced today. Bamboo Luminaries lets Alexa device owners and their families in more than 80 countries learn about a diverse set of historical figures including writers, scientists, musicians, social justice activists, artists, and more. Bamboo Luminaries is available to Alexa users by saying, “Alexa, open Bamboo Luminaries” to any Alexa device.

In just over a year since its founding in 2018, Bamboo Learning has already been recognized in the voice technology industry, with Bamboo Math being awarded for Best Multimodal Experience at the 2019 Voice Summit and Bamboo Books listed as number one in Leah Nieman’s list of 20 Education Uses for Alexa.

Bamboo Learning currently has five education-focused voice applications (or Alexa skills) for education including Bamboo® Math, Bamboo® Books, Bamboo® Music, Highlights Storybook from Bamboo, and Bamboo Luminaries. All five applications are available free of charge in the Amazon Alexa Skills store at www.bamboolearning.com/bamboo-skills.

Additionally, Bamboo Luminaries, Bamboo Math, and Highlights Storybooks from Bamboo are available in more than 80 countries, including India, the U.K. and most of Europe, as well as Canada and Australia.