A New Player in Education Investing

Rick Segal, founder of Seavest Inc., recently launched Rethink Education (RT). RT joins other notable organizations that invest exclusively in education companies and organizations, including NewSchools Venture Fund and Learn Capital. The firm’s current portfolio includes StraighterLine, Engrade, Smarterer, and Education Elements. While RT has been lying low so far, it participated in a $6 million Series A round for Education Elements in March of this year.

Segal has a track record of investing in successful ed tech companies, including Wireless Generation and Schoolnet. He also helped found Rethink Autism, now one of RT’s portfolio companies. Segal is joined by Matt Greenfield, founder of Stonework Capital, a long/short hedge fund that invests in socially-conscious businesses. Greenfield is also an investor in Wireless Generation, as well as in BetterLesson, and 2tor. Rounding out the team are Venture Partner Michael Walden, VP Brandon Avrutin, and Analyst Tom Segal, all of whom seem to have strong experience in finance and operations.

The organization’s website describes its work, stating, “Our education system is one of the last places to be remade by technology. That’s about to change. We are investing in the people, ideas and companies that are rethinking the way we learn and teach. Today.”

RT’s portfolio covers K-12, higher education, lifelong learning, data information systems, and special needs. With as much as $50 million at its disposal, Rethink Education is poised to become an influential player in the field of education investing.