Smart List: 30 Innovation Investors

Getting Smart is acknowledging people and organizations making a difference with a series of back to school top 10 lists. During August we will run about 40 ‘best of’ lists, not in order, not exhaustive, just people we appreciate.

Today we are recognizing 30 investors, incubators, and new school engines powering the learning revolution.

Funders: Charters & Innovation

• Arnold Foundation: charters and innovation

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: Compact Cities, Next Generation Learning Challenge, teacher development

• Broad Foundation: talent development, governance, and charters

• Carnegie Corporation: innovation, high school redesign

• Michael & Susan Dell Foundation: charters, performance management, Ed-Fi data standard & tools

• Fisher Fund & Silicon Schools: KIPP and new blended learning schools

• Hewlett Foundation: deeper learning, open education resources

• Nellie Mae Education Foundation: deeper, student-centered experience

• KnowledgeWorks Foundation: EdWorks, New Tech Network, Strive

• Walton Family Foundation: charters

Incubators, Accelerators, & New School Engines

• LearnLaunch: edtech accelerator, Boston

• ImagineK12: edtech accelerator, Mountain View

• 4.0 Schools: nonprofit incubator, New Orleans

• Charter School Growth Fund: nonprofit CMO investor, Broomfield CO

• New Schools for Chicago: school developer

• New Schools for New Orleans (& New Schools for Baton Rouge): school developer

• New Visions for Public Education: new/improved school engine, NYC

• Next Generation Learning Challenge: new school grants, Washington D.C.

• Get Smart Schools: new school developer, Denver

• MindTrust: education innovation network, Indianapolis

EdTech Venture Funders

• City Light Capital: high growth impact investments, NYC

• Expansion Venture Capital: edtech seed investor, NYC

• Learn Capital: early stage investments, San Mateo

• Kapor Capital: seed stage investments in information technology companies, Oakland

• NewSchools Venture Fund: nonprofit venture philanthropy, Oakland

• Rethink Education: growth stage companies in edtech, NYC

• GSV Capital: growth investing, HQ in Woodside, CA

• Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers: early & growth stage investments, Menlo Park

• New Enterprise Associates (NEA): early & growth stage investments, Menlo Park

• New Markets Venture Partners: early & growth stage investments, Fulton MD

We left a bunch of important organizations off this list.  Who would you add?

Tom is a partner at Learn Capital.