EdTech Ludenso raises $1m to build augmented reality universe for education

Norwegian augmented-reality educational platform Ludenso announces $1m in seed funding to support its creation of the world’s first augmented-reality universe designed for educational publishers.

Ludenso aims to revolutionise educational content by enabling publishers and teachers without technical knowledge to create and deploy AR-enriched material.

The round was led by FERD, who will join the likes of Kahoot! founders Johan Brand and Jamie Brooker, Atomico Angel Fund and various angels including Anne Lise Waal (CTO of VR-platform Attensi) as investors.

Launched in 2021 by founders Eirik Wahlstrøm, Harald Manheim, and Ingrid Skrede, Ludenso bridges the gap between physical books and digital content that is necessary for learning in today’s society, encouraging learning through active participation.

Its app allows students to scan their textbook pages and witness their learning resources come to life. Teachers who use Ludenso-supported material in classrooms say that the platform better engages students who struggle to read traditional materials, tackling the issue of student engagement with four-in-five (79%) Americans struggling to stay motivated while studying.

Ludenso has partnered with various leading Scandinavian institutions, including the University of Oslo, to develop its platform, which is being used by every six to 16-year-old studying the science curriculum in Norway through the company’s partnership with leading academic publisher Aschehoug.

The company also works with SAGE, one of the world’s largest publishing houses, by enriching its content for nursing students, and is responsible for the UK’s first AR-enabled revision guides with PG Online.

Its seed investment will be used to scale throughout Europe and the UK to further establish Ludenso’s position as the leading AR platform for educational publishers.

On the fundraise, Founder of Kahoot! and investor Johan Brand said: “For too long, educational content has been stale and lacking excitement. In spite of incredible innovations elsewhere, the world of academia has often felt like an afterthought. When I was introduced to Ludenso, I knew I had to be involved. The team is on to something very special, creating real pedagogical value for educators and learners.”

FERD’s CEO Morten Borge added: "We are excited to challenge the status quo on how students learn alongside the impact-driven team at Ludenso and follow their journey on equalizing learning opportunities through catering to the different learning needs with Augmented Reality.”

Ludenso’s CEO Eirik Wahlstrøm said: "One of the things that motivates me the most is seeing the "a-ha" moment from students accompanied by a big smile. 3D and AR is an amazing tool to explore and learn about concepts that are hard to visualise, such as how the heart is pumping or how the earth's geomagnetic fields are working. This funding will enable us to impact millions of students with more engaging and active learning experiences in the years to come!"