NewSchools Venture Fund
NewSchools is a venture philanthropy that builds a better education system by connecting people, resources, and ideas. We bridge the gap between those with capital and those with the courage to put that capital to work on the frontlines of education. We believe that philanthropy can advance education in a more equitable, collaborative, and courageous way—and we’re proving it every day. Learn more at www.newschools.org.www.newschools.org
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Search complete. 3 mentions across 3 episodes found for "NewSchools Venture Fund".
Oct 28, 2026
Jim SheltonGUEST
And then a few years into that, sold that company and then transitioned into philanthropy.
Jim SheltonGUEST
And I've joined first the New Schools Venture Fund, which we were actually, my company at the time had been one of the first investments for new schools.
Jim SheltonGUEST
And so it was natural for me to go back to help them expand their work.
Jim SheltonGUEST
And then in the process realized they needed more capital and wound up going in a conversation with the Gates Foundation and wound up joining the Gates Foundation.
Georgia Levenson KeohaneGUEST
And then we see their influence, I think, in a whole range of funders that have typically funded non-profits but are now starting to experiment a little bit with companies.
Georgia Levenson KeohaneGUEST
So, for example, the New Schools Venture Fund, which is a venture philanthropy that has traditionally funded non-profit education startups, now has in its excuse me, portfolio, a couple of for-profit startups.
Georgia Levenson KeohaneGUEST
And then there are organizations that are nonprofit funders but really are just looking to fund enterprise.
Georgia Levenson KeohaneGUEST
They've really moved into enterprise per se.
Ben KornellHOST
It is interesting to think about your journey as a company, and I know others are thinking about these integrations with curriculum providers.
Ben KornellHOST
You've had a unique journey as a corporate entity [chuckles] where it was Step Mojo and Courcelo, where then you had a merger of equals there, and then from a funding standpoint, New School Venture Fund, as well as A Street have been funders, hasn't been the typical venture path.
Ben KornellHOST
And now you're working with some of the best, often open education resource companies that have really put high quality instructional materials out there for lower cost.
Ben KornellHOST
Can you tell me a little bit about this road less traveled as an entrepreneur? What have been the pros of that? What are the cons? And if somebody who's listening is thinking, "Do I raise a traditional, you know, AI ed tech background, or do I go the route that you've gone?" Like what those trade-offs might look like.