Sharpen, a Concord, MA-based company providing a science-backed, early risk assessment and high-outcome digital reading program designed specifically to empower parents, raised $11M in funding.
The round was led by Learn Capital.
The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its business reach.
Led by President Jack Kelleher, Sharpen offers pre-k and elementary-aged children early intervention assessments and a digital reading program including scripted lessons and on-going progress monitoring. Developed by a team of researchers and literacy experts, and based on the science of reading, the company gives parents the tools to assess their child’s risk of developing reading challenges as early as 2 years old. Once a child starts kindergarten, parents can use the Reading Program to quickly improve their child’s reading skills a full grade level in as little as 3 months for 15-30 minutes a day.
Parents can access a digital platform of resources including the Early Advantage Reading Assessment for children as early as two years old and the Reading Program for kindergarten through second grade reading levels, with content for later grades coming soon.
Sharpen looks at the whole child in three dimensions: family history and current environment, key moments in a child’s development, and the actual skill of the child. Assessing these three dimensions together gives a comprehensive picture of the child’s risk.
FinSMEs
06/12/2023