Rethink Education Research
Investment Thesis
Rethink Education is a mission-driven venture capital firm focused on unlocking the full human potential of marginalized and underserved populations through education technology innovation. Founded over a decade ago, the firm has pioneered impact investing in EdTech, partnering with founders who deeply understand the systemic barriers their solutions address. The firm believes that lasting change comes from market-based solutions that deliver strong financial returns alongside measurable social impact.
The core thesis centers on transforming how people learn—moving from passive, rigid, shame-based experiences to inclusive, joyful, meaningful learning that centers on the needs of learners. Rethink Education targets learners who are low income, cognitively or physically different, deskless workers, the underemployed, incarcerated individuals, refugees and immigrants, the elderly, and those experiencing persecution based on race, gender, sexuality, or other aspects of identity.
Sector and Stage Focus
Rethink Education focuses exclusively on education technology across three primary investment verticals:
Pre-K-12: Building foundations for lifelong learning and skills development through innovative tools that increase access and improve outcomes for all students regardless of socioeconomic background.
Higher Education: Making post-secondary pathways more accessible and outcomes-oriented, with a focus on affordability, flexibility, and career alignment for non-traditional learners.
Workforce + Lifelong Learning: Upskilling critical workers and helping them live purposeful careers. This vertical emphasizes continuous learning, economic mobility, and meeting the evolving needs of employers and workers in changing labor markets.
Investment Stage: Rethink Education typically enters companies at Seed and Series A stages, occasionally investing at Pre-Seed or Series B. Check sizes range from approximately $500K to $3M, with typical early-stage investments in the $1M-$2M range.
Lead Tendency and Decision Process
Rethink Education functions as both a lead and supporting investor depending on fund size and market conditions. The partnership structure—with multiple managing partners and an investment committee—indicates a collaborative investment approach with consensus-driven decisions. Fund III appears to be actively deploying capital, as evidenced by recent announced investments in Scout EDU, Edapt Schools, Edexia, Montamo, Hiveclass, and Avela Health in 2025.
Recent Activity and Fund Status
Rethink Education is actively deploying with multiple recent investments announced in the first half of 2025:
- Scout EDU (2025): Modern K-12 student information system using AI
- Edapt Schools (2025): AI-powered district operations and training tools
- Edexia (2025): AI-powered grading platform for educators
- Montamo (2025): €6M Seed investment in clean energy workforce training (European expansion)
- Hiveclass (2025): Virtual PE curriculum and physical education platform
- Avela Health (2025): Neurodivergent care via virtual evaluations and therapy
Recent portfolio achievements in 2024-2025 include:
- Campus: $46M Series B (General Catalyst-led)
- Magic School: $45M Series B (Valor Equity Partners-led)
- Teal: Series A funding (career development AI)
- Abl: Acquired by BetterLesson
- Guild: Global expansion (Canada, Mexico, India, UK)
Portfolio Impact and Performance
In 2024 alone, Rethink Education portfolio companies reached over 50 million learners, including more than 11 million low-income individuals. The portfolio has generated 48 exit transactions to date with cumulative investments exceeding $257 million. Key metrics demonstrate strong diversity commitment: 40% of portfolio companies led by women, 23% led by Black or Latine CEOs/co-founders.
Notable portfolio companies driving measurable impact include Lightcast (labor market analytics reaching 11.5M+ learners in 2024), Aanaab (professional development empowering 80,000+ teachers across MENA), and EnGen (English language training serving 40,000+ workers with 79% achieving career progression).
Team and Expertise
Rethink Education is led by a deeply experienced team with 25+ years in venture capital and education:
Matt Greenfield (Founder & Managing Partner) is a pioneer in EdTech investing with expertise across the sector. He is co-founder of Rethink First (a $100M+ ARR company serving 3 million neurodivergent learners annually) and former English professor at Bowdoin College and CUNY. He holds B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from Yale University with multiple academic awards and fellowships from the Mellon and Whiting Foundations.
Andre Bennin (Managing Partner) brings 10+ years of venture and private equity experience. He was formerly Managing Partner at Juvo Ventures and Managing Director of Corporate Development at Strada Education Network, where he led $580M in investments. He previously served in public sector as Senior Operations Director for Indiana's Office of the Governor, where he created the $250M Next Level Fund. He holds a molecular biology degree and JD from Brigham Young University.
Amy Nelson (Managing Partner) oversees operations, strategy, pipeline management, and serves on the investment committee. She was Chief Strategy Officer of Rethink Capital Partners and CEO of Venture For America, where she supported 1,200+ entrepreneurs and 120+ business launches.
Bridget Duru (Vice President, promoted 2025) focuses on pipeline sourcing and thesis development for life skills vertical. She brings strong due diligence experience from EY-Parthenon and extensive venture network. Brown University graduate (Political Science, Gender Studies).
Monique Malcolm-Hay (Vice President, promoted 2025) leads deal sourcing, portfolio management, and fundraising. She specializes in AI in EdTech and leads Rethink's partnership with Robin Hood Foundation on responsible AI in education. She holds MBA and M.A. in Education from Stanford, and B.S. from Aston University.
Geographic Focus and Expansion
Primarily focused on United States (particularly New York region) with increasing international expansion. Recent investments extend into Europe (Montamo seed in MENA region) and demonstrated appetite for global impact.
Founder and Investment Preferences
Rethink Education prioritizes founders who deeply understand complex problems their businesses tackle and have personal connection to the communities they serve. Strong track record of backing diverse founders: 52%+ of backed companies have women founders, 38%+ have founders of color. Investment philosophy emphasizes:
- Clear mission and durable business models
- Solutions that address systemic barriers
- Founders with lived experience in the communities served
- Focus on measurable outcomes and equity
- Collaboration with institutional stakeholders (school systems, employers, large operators)
Anti-Thesis
The fund explicitly avoids pure profit-maximization with no social impact. They do not invest in companies that perpetuate existing inequities or extract value without addressing systemic problems. No interest in gambling/gaming or pure entertainment plays without educational value.
Key Decision Factors
- Problem clarity: Deep understanding of underserved communities and barriers
- Market opportunity: Ability to reach scale while serving marginalized populations
- Team quality: Experienced founders, often with personal connection to problem
- Impact measurability: Clear metrics on learner outcomes, equity, and social value
- Business durability: Path to sustainable, profitable models that don't depend on subsidy
- Timing alignment: Institutional readiness (school districts, employers, education systems)
Competitive Positioning
Rethink Education is recognized as a pioneer in impact EdTech investing, ahead of market trends. The firm combines deep operating experience with venture expertise and an extensive network of advisors, strategists, and policy makers. Recent recognition includes Matt Greenfield named one of '10 Investors Driving EdTech in 2025' by NU Advisory Partners, and team members featured in Venture Capital Journal's 2025 Rising Stars and Women Leading AI in Education.
Recent Thought Leadership
The team actively publishes and speaks on sector trends:
- Matt Greenfield: 'Lessons from Two Decades of Education Investing' and personal reflection 'My Cancer and My Purpose'
- Amy Nelson: 'The Future of Work Begins with Care' on care economy and workforce participation
- Monique Malcolm-Hay: Ongoing Substack series on AI implications for learners, institutions, employers
Team regularly participates in major industry events (EdTech Week, SOCAP, ASU+GSV Summit, Bett UK) and serves on boards of numerous portfolio companies and education non-profits.