Exclusive: AI learning platform Gizmo raises $22M Series A


Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Gizmo, an AI educational platform, raised a $22 million Series A, CEO Petros Christodoulou tells Axios exclusively.
Why it matters: The ed-tech VC market has favored later-stage deals thus far in 2026.
Follow the money: The round was led by Shine Capital, with participation from Ada Ventures, Seek Investments, GSV, and NFX, who previously led Gizmo's $3.5M seed round.
How it works: The London-based platform geared toward teens and young adults turns users' notes into gamified study materials to keep students engaged. The platform has 13 million users globally.
- "Instead of trying to reduce screen time, we're redefining it," Christodoulou says.
Between the lines: The majority of capital will go toward expanding Gizmo's engineering and AI teams, as well as scaling in the U.S. college market, Christodoulou says.
Zoom out: Ed tech has historically attracted less private equity, but investor interest is picking up as more platforms show improved outcomes.
- Leeds Equity Partners, a New York-based firm focused on education and training, closed a $1.4 billion fund last week, topping its $1 billion target.