Desmos Introduced at TechCrunch Disruptive Conference

Desmos is a Greek word that means bond or connection. Eli Luberoff, who was a physics and math major at Yale, wanted to build a tool that would connect and engage learners.  He built a “virtual Whiteboard” that was named the Most Promising Technology Product of the Year by the Connecticut Technology Council.  Eli’s company, Desmos, unveiled today in New York, aims to serve as a web-based, unifying, standard for interactive lessons.
Eli said, “For as long as I can remember I’ve been an informal tutor, helping friends and family with homework.  He started tutoring professionally in high school and has been helping people learn math every since.
Desmos launched today at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in New York.  Selected from more than 500 applicants, Desmos is one of 25 companies invited to launch at Disrupt.  It was the only education application on the program.
Leveraging the widespread emergence of large projector-based touchscreens in North American classrooms, Desmos enables interactive lessons delivered in the browser.
With the explosion of tablets most schools will soon be mixed device environments.  An increasing number of schools will allow students to bring their own technology to school.  “The trouble is that each platform comes bundled with different software,” said Luberoff, “introducing all kinds of problems with cross-platform compatibility and even forward/backward compatibility within a platform. “
Desmos is perfect for the multiple-device mobile learner.  “Almost every device now comes with a browser, and the web is the ultimate example of content designed to work across platforms, “Luberoff continued, “so our browser-based software eliminates problems of cross-platform compatibility.”
Unlocking the magical elements of touchscreens opens up a world of interactive content.   Desmos includes an extensive and easy to use math tool kit that offers extensions and applications.
Built in chat features and an online community make learning collaborative.   Eli said, “Our software takes advantage of the instantaneous, collaborative nature of the web and will become even more useful as more classrooms are connected to the web.”  Curriculum developers, publishers, and teachers can create and distribute content through the online Desmos community.
The crowd at TechCrunch liked the Desmos mission: Interactive content, for every platform, for everyone.
A Desmos release is below. Desmos is a Learn Capital portfolio company.
 
— — —
DESMOS, INC. LAUNCHES ONSTAGE AT THE TECHCRUNCH DISRUPT 2011
 
Following months of operating in stealth mode, Desmos, Inc. is proud to officially announce the public launch of its software at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in New York City.  Chosen as one of this year’s Disrupt Battlefield contenders, Desmos debuted onstage with a presentation by its founder and CEO, Eli Luberoff.  “We couldn’t hope for a better stage to launch our vision for the future of educational software” said Luberoff.  “With Desmos.com, we aim to unify educational content across different platforms and bridge the gap between the classroom and the home.”
 
As part of the launch, Eli showcased on stage how Desmos’ browser-based software works seamlessly across different platforms, from interactive Whiteboards, to computers, to tablet devices. By joining the Desmos community, users will finally be able to build and share powerful, platform-agnostic interactive lessons.
 
Desmos is currently based in New Haven, Connecticut as an anchor member of the Yale Entrepreneurial Institute.  The company also announced its recently completed round of seed financing led by Mitch Kapor, and its upcoming relocation to San Francisco.  Desmos is now available in private beta release at www.desmos.com
About Desmos
Desmos, Inc. (http://www.desmos.com) is a new community designed for people to create and share high quality, interactive, educational content.  Founded by Eli Luberoff in 2011, Desmos is built on top of an innovative virtual Whiteboard that was named Connecticut’s most promising technology product in 2010 by the CT Technology Council.  Desmos users have the ability to instantly generate collaborative Whiteboards, and then publish their content at the click of a button.
About TechCrunch Disrupt
TechCrunch Disrupt NYC 2011(http://disrupt.techcrunch.com) is TechCrunch’s second annual conference in New York City attracting over 1,500 leading technology innovators and investors and over 150 new startups.  The format combines top thought-leader discussions with new product and company launches.  Morning executive discussions debate the most timely disruptions in media, advertising and technology.  Afternoons host the Startup Battlefield where 25 new companies will launch for the first time on stage, selected to present from more than 500 applications received from around the world.  Another 100 early-stage startups will exhibit in Startup Alley.  TechCrunch will award a $50,000 grand prize along with other award recognitions at the conclusion of the conference.  The conference is May 23-25, 2011, at Pier 94 located at 711 12th Avenue (at 55th Street & West Side Hwy) in Midtown New York.
TechCrunch (www.techcrunch.com) is a leading technology media network dedicated to obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies. Founded by Michael Arrington in 2005, TechCrunch and its network of websites reach over 13 million unique visitors and more than 30 million page views per month. TechCrunch was acquired by AOL in 2011 and operates a global network of websites including dedicated properties in Europe and Japan, as well as specialized industry websites including MobileCrunch, CrunchGear, GreenTech, TechCrunchIT, and CrunchBase. TechCrunch’s CrunchBase is the leading open database about startup companies, people, and investors. In addition to TechCrunch Disrupt, TechCrunch hosts other conferences and events, including the Crunchies Awards (http://crunchies2010.techcrunch.com) and various meet-ups worldwide, serving as community platforms for industry conversation and collaboration.