VCT News
Beringea Portfolio Company Espresso Education Launches Digital Curriculum Service in the United States
10 May 2010 - Beringea portfolio company Espresso Education, the market leader in providing video-rich, curriculum-aligned teaching and learning resources in the U.K., has announced an agreement with Defined Learning, Inc. to adapt, market and sell Espresso Primary in the United States.
Espresso Primary, a series of video clips integrated with interactive activities, games, quizzes, and a weekly news service, will fill a gap in American cross-curricular digital resources. These "learning modules" will be aligned to US, state and local curriculum standards, helping elementary school teachers deliver lessons efficiently and students learn more effectively using new technologies.
Espresso's introduction to the U.S. market capitalises on a growing number of interactive whiteboards in classrooms, an improvement in broadband connections to schools and an educational agenda that reinforces the importance of incorporating technology into lessons. In addition, teachers understand the importance of digital-based curriculum resources in helping to build "21st century skills" among students, and recognise that many students engage at a deeper level with video and interactive materials than through print.
"I feel that there is an enormous need for this type of program in the U.S.," said a Farmington Hills, Michigan based teacher who tested the service. "Espresso provides opportunities which enhance student learning, as well as to expose them to things that they may not be able to experience in their everyday lives."
Founded in 1997, Espresso Primary quickly became the market leader in video-rich, curriculum-aligned teaching and learning resources in the U.K. Beringea first invested in Espresso Education through its ProVen VCTs in 2001. Stuart Veale, Managing Partner for Beringea, sits on the Espresso board as a non executive director.
Stuart commented: "I am delighted that Espresso, in partnership with Defined Learning, has launched its award-winning service in the U.S. Espresso is already the leading provider of educational digital content in the UK with over half of all state primary schools in England subscribing to its services.
The U.S. launch represents an important milestone for Espresso, building upon the company's recent success in Sweden and demonstrating that it is well placed to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the global market place."
Espresso's award-winning service was launched on April 15 by Defined Learning to elementary schools across the U.S. Defined Learning will play a key part in evolving the service - adapting and re-aligning it to U.S. educational curriculum standards, introducing a weekly news service and further localisation.
About Beringea
Beringea is an international venture capital firm with offices in London and Detroit. In the UK Beringea manages ProVen VCT, ProVen Health VCT, ProVen Growth & Income VCT and Global Rights Fund II. Beringea launched its first VCT in 1996, making it one of the most experienced VCT managers in the UK. ProVen Growth & Income and ProVen VCT are highest performing VCTs of their launch years, respectively, according to www.taxefficientreview.com. For more information please visit www.provenvcts.co.uk.