The NVCA, in partnership with Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and in conjunction with Global Entrepreneurship Week, this week launched “NVCA Spotlight,” a website feature highlighting venture-backed companies nationwide. The following companies are just two examples of the thousands of ideas and innovations being funded in every state in across a broad range of industries.  Today, we shine the spotlight on Education. For more information about these and other venture-backed companies, visit www.nvca.org/spotlight.

Venture Facts:  Investment in Education

• 128. The number of education companies that received VC funding in the last 5 years.
• $979.8 million. The amount of venture dollars invested in education companies in the last 5 years.
• 31. Number of venture-backed education companies that have IPOd in the last 20 years.
• CA, NY, MD. The states with the greatest number of venture-backed education companies.
• Most active VCs investing in education companies (by number of deals) in the last five years:  Novak Biddle Venture Partners, Ascend Venture Group, and Chrysalis Ventures.

Innovators in Education

Capital Schools in Herndon, VA aims to create national model school programs for children with autism spectrum disorder and other specialized learning needs. The company started its first school, The Auburn School, Herndon Campus, in 2009. It plans to develop and replicate this program in other locations around the country. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the US and now affects approximately one in 110 children. Capital Schools is developing a program that aims to provide an exceptionally positive experience for children with autism, and generate long term societal benefits. Capital Schools is funded by Novak Biddle Venture Partners.

2tor, Inc., based in New York, NY partners with elite universities in an effort to develop top-quality online degree programs. By empowering proven faculty and curricula with a state-of-the-art online learning system, 2tor creates programs that offer the convenience of an online program without sacrificing academic quality. Coursework is delivered 100% online, while in-person requirements are offered locally. 2tor’s programs blend the rigorous admissions and academic standards of its partner universities with technology and logistical support.  2tor brings quality to online higher education, where academic rigor has historically paled in comparison to traditional campus programs. Venture backers include Highland Capital, Redpoint Ventures, Novak Biddle Venture Partners and City Light Capital.