Loading organizations...
ThinkCERCA develops a personalized literacy platform that empowers educators to teach critical thinking through argumentative writing. Its AI-powered English Language Arts (ELA) and Reading curriculum is specifically designed to cultivate robust reading, writing, and critical analysis skills across various grade levels. The platform offers structured lessons and tools that guide students through the process of developing well-reasoned arguments.
The company was co-founded in 2012 by Eileen Murphy and Abby Ross, stemming from their extensive experience as NCTE teachers and nationally recognized literacy experts. Their insight was to create a scalable solution that embeds critical thinking and argumentative writing into the core of literacy instruction, addressing a widespread need for deeper student engagement and skill development beyond rote learning.
ThinkCERCA serves a broad educational audience, primarily targeting elementary, middle, and high school students and their teachers. Its overarching vision is to foster a generation of critical thinkers and effective communicators by providing systematic and personalized support for developing advanced literacy skills, preparing students for success in both academic and real-world contexts.
ThinkCERCA has raised $15.0M across 3 funding rounds.
ThinkCERCA has raised $15.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
ThinkCERCA is an education technology company that builds a personalized literacy platform designed to improve critical thinking skills such as analytical reading, writing, speaking, listening, and collaboration. It serves K-12 schools and districts by providing tools and content that enable teachers to deliver differentiated literacy instruction across multiple subjects including English Language Arts, social studies, science, and math. The platform addresses the challenge of personalized literacy education by offering research-backed curriculum, AI-powered automated feedback, and accessibility features to support diverse learners, resulting in significant student reading and writing growth. ThinkCERCA has demonstrated strong growth momentum with $5 million in trailing twelve-month revenue and adoption by many large U.S. school districts[1][2][4][5].
Founded in 2012 by Eileen Murphy, a veteran educator and former Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Chicago Public Schools, ThinkCERCA emerged from a desire to improve literacy instruction through a flexible, research-based framework called CERCA. The idea was developed in collaboration with nationally recognized literacy experts and built upon decades of classroom experience. Early traction included winning a $250,000 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant in 2013 and rapidly expanding its curriculum library. The company has since evolved to incorporate AI-driven tools and expanded subject coverage, gaining national recognition for its impact on student literacy growth[1][2][4].
ThinkCERCA rides the growing trend of personalized, technology-enabled education that leverages AI to enhance learning outcomes. The timing is favorable due to increasing demand for scalable literacy solutions that address diverse student needs and the push for critical thinking skills in education. Market forces such as expanded digital learning adoption, emphasis on equity and accessibility, and data-driven instruction support ThinkCERCA’s growth. The company influences the ed-tech ecosystem by setting a high standard for literacy platforms that combine rigorous pedagogy with advanced technology, helping districts improve college and career readiness at scale[2][4][5].
Looking ahead, ThinkCERCA is poised to deepen its integration of AI and expand its curriculum offerings, potentially broadening into earlier grades or additional subjects. Trends such as AI-driven personalized learning, increased focus on foundational reading skills, and demand for accessible education will shape its trajectory. As it continues to demonstrate measurable student outcomes and expand district partnerships, ThinkCERCA’s influence in transforming literacy education and critical thinking development is likely to grow, reinforcing its position as a leader in ed-tech innovation[4][5][6].
ThinkCERCA has raised $15.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series B in September 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2017 | $10M Series B | Signe Ostby | Advancit Capital, Alpaca VC, Great Oaks Venture Capital, GSV Acceleration, Lead Edge Capital, Next Play Ventures, Plum Alley Investments, Rethink Capital Partners, S2G Ventures, Winklevoss Capital, TOM Williams, Chuck Templeton, Deborah Quazzo, Esther Wojcicki, Jeff Weiner, Michael Gamson, SAM Yagan, Scott Cook, Follett Knowledge Fund, TAL Education Group | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2015 | $3M Series A | Mary LEE Schneider | Alpaca VC, Fontinalis Partners, Great Oaks Venture Capital, LearnLaunch Accelerator, Math Venture Partners, Project 11, S2G Ventures, Winklevoss Capital, JOE Caruso, Joshua Summers, Will Herman, Chuck Templeton, Amicus Capital, Great Oaks Venture Capital | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2014 | $2M Seed | — | Advancit Capital, GSV Acceleration, Lead Edge Capital, Rethink Capital Partners, S2G Ventures | Announced |
ThinkCERCA has raised $15.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
ThinkCERCA's investors include Signe Ostby, Advancit Capital, Alpaca VC, Great Oaks Venture Capital, GSV Acceleration, Lead Edge Capital, Next Play Ventures, Plum Alley Investments, Rethink Capital Partners, S2G Ventures, Winklevoss Capital, Tom Williams.
