• Polymath secures $1M pre-seed funding to expand its gamified math learning platform.
  • The platform combines sandbox gaming with adaptive math lessons and real-time monitoring.
  • The company plans curriculum expansion and the introduction of collaborative features

Educational gaming startup Polymath has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to advance its mission of making math education as engaging as popular gaming platforms like Roblox and Minecraft.

The round was co-led by Blackbird Ventures and GD1, with participation from ClassDojo's CTO Liam Don as an angel investor.

Polymath's platform combines sandbox gaming mechanics with adaptive math lessons, allowing children to explore a virtual island where they can customize avatars, build structures, and interact with villagers while solving math problems.

The game uses an adaptive algorithm to personalize learning experiences, identify knowledge gaps, and optimize the timing of new information delivery.

Founded by CEO Sophie Silver, whose background includes studying human learning and developmental psychology at UCL, the platform was inspired by her experiences as a part-time nanny.

Silver observed a disconnect between traditional math education and children's learning preferences, leading her to develop a more engaging approach to mathematical instruction.

The platform incorporates learning opportunities throughout the gameplay experience.

For example, players must calculate dimensions and resources when building structures, and interact with shopkeepers who sometimes present incorrect prices, encouraging critical thinking.

The game supports both individual and classroom learning, with features allowing teachers to monitor students in real time and facilitate group participation.

Since its launch in January 2023 through the Startmate accelerator in New Zealand, Polymath has attracted thousands of users across multiple markets, including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

The platform is available for free on the web, iOS, and Android devices, with plans to introduce purchasable avatar assets as a revenue stream.

The company plans to use the funding to expand its curriculum and develop collaborative features that enable students to work together on mathematical problems, furthering its goal of making math education more accessible and enjoyable for young learners.

Edited By Annette George