BoomWriter

Digital education company BoomWriter Media, launched its first writing platform, StoryWriter in 2011, led by its co-founders Ken Haynes, Chris Twyman, and Ian Garland. The software allows students to write chapters of a book using an avatar, then vote anonymously on which chapter they like best, and at the end of the process, they have a finished book. Additionally, each task that a student completes earns them Boomer Bucks, which students can use to customize their avatar. Boomwriter’s software includes an administrative interface that puts the teacher in control, allowing instructors to set assignments, assess students’ level of understanding, and provide individualized feedback on students’ writing submissions.

In January 2015, the company launched its nonfiction ed tech tool ProjectWriter for history, social studies, science and English language arts. The tool is designed to allow teachers to conduct nonfiction group-writing projects focused on learning concepts and terms from grade 3 through college. The platform is also appropriate for special education classrooms and can be used either alongside textbook reading or as a standalone.

Project Writer joins BoomWriter’s other suite of writing tools including StoryWriter and WordWriter all of which are offered free to educators and schools. Currently, BoomWriter’s writing tools are being used in more than 20,000 classrooms and 60 countries.

Founder and chief operating officer Ken Haynes, attributes the growth of BoomWriter’s writing tools to teachers referring the products to other teachers. Haynes, a former middle school and special education teacher, piloted the first BoomWriter tool in his own classroom.

Even though BoomWriter offers schools and educators free use of its three writing solutions, it generates revenue through other channels. The company sells hardcopy publications of students’ stories from StoryWriter on its website along with subscriptions to its writing club and admission to its virtual summer camps. BoomWriter also sells licenses of its technology through partnerships with companies such as Google and CareerBuilder.

BoomWriter, which has seven employees including three developers, raised $2.5 million in funding so far and is currently working on its next round of financing. The company also released in January a consumer application tool called Skrawl, a collaborative writing tool where users compete and piece together stories. Skrawl will eventually add new features to the application including a mobile reader and a self-publishing tool.

http://www.simbainformation.com/Ed-Tech-Startup-9334268/

http://www.boomwriter.com/