Virtual online education platform, Third Space Learning (TSL), has secured a £4.4 million investment from the South West Investment Fund, managed by Maven, alongside Blackfinch Ventures and existing investors Foresight and Nesta.
Swindon-based TSL delivers curriculum-aligned, online one-to-one maths tutoring to primary and secondary school students in the UK and US via its spoken AI tutor, Skye. Generating large scale evidence of high-impact AI tutoring efficacy, Skye has received validation from leading research institutions and policy bodies.
TSL says there is an emerging shift toward AI powered tutoring driven by the personalised, adaptive learning that AI platforms can provide. As education systems face increasingly diverse learner needs, the company says AI tutors such as Skye can continuously adjust pace, difficulty and feedback based on individual performance.
The investment will enable TSL to invest in Skye, fuelling product development to improve learning impact through AI, and expanding distribution across geographies, subjects, and languages. Funding will also support the business as it scales, building a dedicated US function to accelerate international growth.
“This investment is a significant milestone in Third Space Learning's journey. There is enormous momentum behind AI in education right now, but real impact only comes when AI tutoring is built on the same evidence and rigour as high-impact human tutoring. This funding allows us to move with greater speed and ambition - deepening Skye's capabilities, expanding into new markets, and reaching more of the students who need it most. Closing the maths achievement gap at scale is what drives everything we do, and the support of Maven brings us a meaningful step closer to that goal.”
Tom Hooper, CEO of Third Space Learning
“Third Space Learning has built an impressive business, establishing an evidence backed, high impact AI tutoring offering at scale, validated by partnerships with leading research institutions. Tom and his team are highly innovative with strong operational expertise in school-based tutoring. We’re delighted to back the business at this point in its growth journey, and we look forward to supporting the platform as it scales.”
Rafi Khan, Investment Manager at Maven
“Third Space Learning is at the forefront of a new wave of education technology, using AI to enhance how tailored tutoring can be delivered at scale. Through the South West Investment Fund, we’re pleased to support the company’s growth as it expands its platform and reaches more learners in the UK and overseas.”
Lizzy Upton, Senior Investment Manager at British Business Bank
SWIF Maven Equity Finance can provide investment of up to £5 million to support ambitious earlier and later stage businesses across the South West of England. To date, the Fund has backed a number of innovative businesses across the region, including: sustainable packaging innovator, Kelpi, global wireless solutions provider, Blu Wireless, healthcare buy and build operator, Covestus, Microsoft adoption specialist, Changing Social, leading robotic additive manufacturer, Q5D, award winning dairy producer, Tom Parker Creamery and bar and restaurant group, Deckhouse.
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