Prisms VR Raises $12.5M For Math Literacy in U.S.

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The virtual reality learning platform Prisms VR has raised $12.5 million in a Series A funding round led by a 16z. Prisms is dedicated to improving student’s proficiency in math by making the subject more enjoyable and relevant to kids.

Prisms students can improve math skills by using hands-on models to interact and visualize structures, and connecting 3D experiences to abstract representations like tables, graphs, and equations.

The ed-tech platform was launched in 2021, and currently serves more than 100 school districts across 26 states. Through real-world experiences and examples, Prisms helps over 80,000 students grasp abstract math concepts. Its goal is to use technology to make learning math more engaging and effective by employing problem-based, tactile, and visual learning techniques.

Funds from the Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) will be used to improve math literacy using VR headsets, to speed up product and team growth, and to increase Prisms reach to more districts in the U.S. CEO and founder of Prisms, Anurupa Ganguly, said that VR has the potential to transform formal classroom settings, and that “math education is going to be the killer app for VR.”

Anurupa, who was a math and physics teacher in Boston, said that the current U.S. educational system (which trails behind much of the world in math and science) doesn’t allow students to use multiple modalities of learning. Prisms is bent on changing that.

Prisms VR raised $4.25 million in its most recent funding round in June, 2022. Currently, Prisms math content module can be tried for free for seven days through the Meta Quest store. Afterwards, an annual subscription is $24.

Web3 Technology Infiltrates Education

Prisms VR isn’t the first company to use virtual reality and metaverse technology in education. At Rarity Sniper, we’ve written dozens of articles about Web3 technologies being integrated into the classroom. Here are some of our top stories.

First, in April 2022, Johnson & Johnson opened a metaverse-enabled medical training studio in Mexico called the “Innovation Room.” The new project uses augmented reality to help students refine their surgical skills in a low-risk environment.

Next, about seven months ago, global provider of visual solutions, ViewSonic, launched the “Universe” metaverse, a full-scale educational platform where classes take place in a 3D virtual environment. The platform has built-in tools for instructors, such as different modes for classroom management, and the ability to generate pop quizzes on the fly.

Lastly, a Tokyo-based non-profit organization called Katariba is offering metaverses classes to fight the high rates of absenteeism among Japanaese students. Room-K aims to help kids acquire social skill, focus on their studies, and foster trust between students, teachers, and counselors.

It’s going to take time to see if virtual and augmented reality transform education, but it does look like things are moving in that direction. With its most recent funding round a success, Prisms VR should be able to reach more students throughout the U.S. and have a bigger impact. We’ll be following up on any developments to the story.