Pearson infuses $260K more into science education startup Experifun

Pearson Affordable Learning Fund (PALF), an education fund run by UK-based education company Pearson Plc, has invested Rs 1.6 crore (over $260,000) in Bangalore-based Experifun Learning Solutions Pvt Ltd, which designs next generation science learning aids.

As per the deal, Amar Kumar, senior vice president of Pearson will be joining the Experifun board.

Last November Experifun, along with another education startup Sudiksha Knowledge Solutions, had bagged a total of $150,000 from PALF and US-based Village Capital. Both were winners of the PALF's 2013 Edupreneurs programme, a business incubator that invests in entrepreneurs focused on innovative products and services, which improve outcomes and access to education for learners from economically weaker sections.

Founded by a group of IIT and IIM graduates, Experifun designs and develops affordable and curriculum-based next-generation science exploratory gadgets for use in regular classroom sessions. The Experifun science kits allow students to engage in science experiments without the traditional science lab infrastructure. Caboodle contains various kits covering all science topics for a grade that allows teachers to conduct innovative science experiments and activities in the class room.

The kits are designed to empower the teacher to make the learning process fun and to engage students in a learning process that simplifies science concepts. It is available for various curricula, including CBSE, ICSE, Cambridge and state boards.

"Experifun has continued to demonstrate a clear understanding of teacher and learner needs and a commitment to improving learner outcomes. Their product pipeline is innovative, ground breaking, and can dramatically change the face of science education in India," says Kumar.

"Pearson is committed to make education affordable, inclusive and accessible to all. We are glad to invest in an innovative learning setup like Experifun, which has taken up the responsible task of making science learning fun, easy, and outcome driven," said Deepak Mehrotra, MD at Pearson India.

Launched in July 2012, PALF makes minority equity investments in for-profit companies operating in the affordable education services in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The fund aims to improve access to quality education for the poorest families in the world.

This is PALF's seventh investment. In May this year, PALF invested an undisclosed amount in Mumbai-based Zaya Learning Pvt Ltd, which operates under the brand name Zaya Labs, for a minority stake in the company.