These Southeast Startups Are Transforming Classrooms In 2025 — Even as VC Funding Into EdTechs Stalls
Southern startups are transforming EdTech in 2025, building tools for students, parents, and teachers — even as venture funding slows down. Ask ChatGPT
As millions of students head back to classrooms this August, the EdTech landscape looks dramatically different than it did just a few years ago.
At the height of the pandemic, EdTech was a bit of a darling in the venture capital world as entrepreneurs looked for ways to improve distance learning options. That high hasn’t continued, as funding into EdTech and educational-focused startups quite frankly fell off a cliff last year, according to Crunchbase. And news around the industry hasn’t been any rosier this year, with EdTech funding remaining sluggish during the first part of 2025.
But tech founders are continuing to build in the space. And whether they are serving parents, teachers, or students, EdTech startups are building ways to improve educational outcomes…one app or marketplace platform at a time.
As the new school year begins, here are the EdTech platforms that are quietly gaining traction and deserve a spot on your radar:
For Kids
LingoPlaza
Who to know: Founder Lily Hagan
What they do: an online Spanish learning platform focused on children ages 4 through 12
When they last raised: none recorded
Where they are building: Atlanta, Georgia
QuestRead
Who to know: Co-founder and CEO Janessa Ferrell
What they do: A mobile app platform turning kids screen time into reading time with personalized learning options
When they last raised: Grants and funds from accelerator
Where they are building: Atlanta, Georgia
For College Students
Afuse App
Who to know: Founder and CEO Gabe Huntsman
What they do: A mobile app that connects incoming college students before they step on campus
When they last raised: Non-dilutive funding through accelerator at NC State
Where they are building: Raleigh, North Carolina
UpAhead
Who to know: Founder Thomas Lentine
What they do: AI tool that helps students organize their semester with instant assignment extraction, progress tracking, email alerts, and grade calculations
When they last raised: none listed
Where they are building: Started at the University of South Carolina
Subscription Intern
Who to know: Co-founders Christian Liew and Emilio Van Cotthem
What they do: Connects employers with top university talent
When they last raised: Techstars grant in 2025
Where they are building: Atlanta, Georgia
For Educators
Spur Staffing
Who to know: Founder and Chairman Glenn Clayton
What they do: Educational staffing software that provides school districts with hourly staffing options
When they last raised: $8 million Series A in 2019
Where they are building: Huntsville, Alabama
Steppingblocks
Who to know: co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Carlos Martinez
What they do: A big data analytics company that provides workforce and education insights
When they last raised: A Series of National Science Foundation grants
Where they are building: Atlanta, Georgia
Chalk Coaching
Who to know: CEO Yesi Sevilla
What they do: A Teacher development platform driven by real, in-classroom data for early childhood education
When they last raised: $2.8M in research grants from the National Science Foundation
Where they are building: Nashville, Tennessee
Subbey
Who to know: Founder Shae McGee
What they do: A platform for finding substitute teachers
When they last raised:
Where they are building: Nashville, Tennessee
Possip
Who to know: CEO Shani Dowell
What they do: Platform for improving student feedback
When they last raised: $3.9 million venture round in 2022
Where they are building: Nashville, Tennessee
Farm-Ed
Who to know: CEO Garyn Angel
What they do: Hands-on STEM learning with AI-powered agriculture inside classrooms
When they last raised: Mainly bootstrapped
Where they are building: Tampa, Florida
Not EdTech…But Helpful Tech To Improve “Back To School” Stress
Moxi
Who to know: Founder and CEO Cori Fain-Forrest
What they do: Flexible childcare options (currently in Alabama)
When they last raised:
Where they are building: Birmingham, Alabama
Livin
Who to know: Founder and CEO Erica Tuggle
What they do: Connects busy families with early career, personal cooks
When they last raised: $1 million seed round in 2024
Where they are building: Atlanta, Georgia
Carpool.School
Who to know: Founder Krishnanand Kamath
What they do: Connects families for streamlined carpool
When they last raised: No venture backing recorded
Where they are building: Cary, North Carolina
