GradeSlam raises $7.5 million rebrands to Paper.co

So Gradeslam.org put out a press release today and announced funding and a new name.

They are moving from a .org to a .co. They are a Canadian company.

MONTREAL, March 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — GradeSlam, the education company founded by McGill University graduates Philip Cutler and Roberto Cipriani, announced today that it has raised 7.5 million USD in funding. Along with the funding announcement, the team has unveiled the rebrand to Paper.

The funding, led by Reach Capital and supported by Bullpen Capital,
is intended to accelerate the rapid growth of the business. Also
participating were existing investors Birchmere Ventures, BDC Capital,
Real Ventures, Google, Red House Education, Edovate Capital, and Anges
Quebec. GradeSlam’s rebrand to Paper emphasizes the importance that the
Educational Support System places on supporting students, teachers, and
administrators.

“Since inception, our mission has always been to provide true
educational equity,” Cutler said. “Paper solves a compelling problem
facing our public school districts – how do you guarantee every student
has an equal opportunity to succeed? We support every student in their
individual learning style while giving teachers the resources they need
to be effective educators.”

The first in its category, Cutler is confident that Educational
Support Systems (ESS) will be a transformative part of our K-12
education system, improving student achievement and increasing teacher
effectiveness.

“When a school district implements Paper, they are taking real
action. They are sending a message to their teachers, students, parents,
and administrators that their community is going to be supported,”
Cutler said when asked why districts partner with Paper. “We are simply
enabling the incredible district administrators to fulfill their vision
of what education looks like.”

Paper’s investors share the founders’ confidence. “Not all students
are receiving the same opportunities and resources they need to excel,”
said General Partner of Reach Capital Wayee Chu. “Studies continue to
show that individualized learning and intervention can positively impact
confidence, problem-solving skills, and intellectual independence,
which is why we’re proud to support the vision Paper is putting
forward.”

“Having had a front seat for the growth GradeSlam has had over the
last few years, we recognize the momentum they’ve developed as a result
of their team’s passion and dedication,” said Ned Renzi,
Partner at Birchmere Ventures. “The 2020-21 school year will be another
inflection point for how we can apply innovation in education to create
meaningful, lasting and positive change.”

Cutler concluded the announcement by saying, “We are incredibly proud
of what we have accomplished, but this is only the start. We are
tackling one of the most important and impactful challenges facing
society. Education is equity, and goes far beyond the classroom. This is
what motivates us every day.”

The team also stressed that the experience of current students and
teachers will remain unchanged until the end of the school year. Major
enhancements will be revealed at the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

About PAPER

Headquartered in Montreal, Quebec,
Paper is the leading Educational Support System. Driven by a mission to
deliver true educational equity, Paper’s ESS increases student
achievement and teacher effectiveness. Paper has partnered with some of
the most influential districts including Irvine Unified School District,
Springfield Public Schools, Sequoia Union High School District, Denver
Public Schools, Tustin Unified School District and will always be
driven to seek out new means of making learning more accessible,
convenient and equitable.

MEDIA CONTACT:

[email protected]
438-523-2350
Director of Partnerships
Paper Education Company Inc.

SOURCE GradeSlam

Tip of the cap to Lox