Sesame Street Venture Capital Group Aims to Help Shape the Future of Tech for Kids

by ParentCo. February 01, 2016

Since 1969, we've trusted the Sesame Street characters to teach our children important life skills ranging from spelling to empathy. And now, the future of tech for kids rests safely in their furry muppet hands. Sesame Street's nonprofit parent organization, Sesame Workshop, has launched a venture capital arm called, of course, Sesame Ventures. According to Wired, Sesame Ventures will invest in start-ups, "...focused on children’s education, development, health, and nutrition." The group will partner with other established VC firms such as Collaborative Fund. EdSurge reports, "...the two New York City-based groups have launched a $10 million Collab+Sesame Fund to help entrepreneurs scale their startups." Why get into VC funding? Sesame Workshop CEO, Jeff Dunn, says,
"As a non-profit, our success is measured by our global impact on kids’ lives....We are in the midst of an extraordinary time in the history of how digital technology can change the education, health and welfare of kids around the world....By partnering with some of these startups, Sesame Workshop can help grow the next wave of kid-focused innovation and improve the lives of children everywhere.”
Since Sesame Ventures will consider allowing startups to use Sesame Street characters in their product design, kids everywhere can look forward to seeing more of Big Bird and Cookie Monster.

And funded startups can look forward to Snuffaluffagus-sized IPOs brought to them by the letters V and C.

Source: Wired, EdSurge, Sesame Workshop



ParentCo.

Author



Also in Conversations

25 Missions for Your Fall Bucket List

by ParentCo.

Do these awesome things with your family before the crunchy leaves are covered in snow.

Continue Reading

How Keisha Noel Designs Jewelry (Plus Business, Family, and a Joyful Life)
How Keisha Noel Designs Jewelry (Plus Business, Family, and a Joyful Life)

by Hannah Howard

“Being a mother has been my greatest joy while juggling a thriving business,” says Keisha Noel . “It’s truly a balance." She reflects on the joyful juggle.

Continue Reading

kids in forest with a magnifying glass
20 Family Traditions That Will Teach Your Kids To Love Nature

by ParentCo.

Combining family traditions and the outdoors is a fun and exciting way to create memories and a love of nature at the same time. Here are 20 ideas to get you started.

Continue Reading