Gizmo, an AI-powered learning platform that transforms student notes into interactive learning materials, has attracted more than 13 million users in more than 120 countries since its launch in 2021. This is a significant increase from the last time TechCrunch covered the platform in 2023, when it had more than 300,000 users.
And as user adoption increases, investor interest is following suit. The company recently secured $22 million in Series A funding, according to an announcement Tuesday.
The funding will go toward expanding Gizmo’s engineering and AI teams and expanding its presence in the U.S. university market. The company, which had just seven employees before the raise, plans to grow to about 30, CEO Petros Christodoulou told TechCrunch.
The company’s momentum comes at a time when student behavior is changing. According to the 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress, U.S. academic performance has reached a historic low. Excessive screen time and decreased attention span have been cited in previous studies as contributing factors.
Additionally, as many young learners are drawn to platforms like TikTok and YouTube, the biggest challenge for edtech startups is how to maintain engagement. Gizmo is betting that gamified learning may be the answer.
Designed for teenagers and young adults, Gizmo believes its appeal lies in its use of game mechanics to drive engagement. Features like leaderboards, streaks, daily routines limited by incorrect answers, and the ability to challenge friends are designed to keep users coming back for more.
Other microlearning platforms like Anki, Quizlet, and Nibble have gained traction in recent years, as well as new entrants like Yuno and Knowt, all looking to redirect screen time habits into productive learning. But it’s remarkable that a young learning app like Gizmo has garnered so much interest in just a few years. For comparison, Yuno touts 1 million app downloads, and Knowt has over 7 million users.
The Series A round was led by Shine Capital with participation from Ada Ventures, Seek Investments, GSV, and NFX, which previously led Gizmo’s $3.5 million seed round.
