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Startup:Education
Startup:Education is a venture fund co-founded by Matt Greenfield, deploying over $200 million into education and workforce technology since 2011.
Startup:Education
Startup:Education was founded in 2011 by Matt Greenfield, who previously led investments at Rethink Education. The firm operates as a venture fund rather than a family office, with a focused thesis on the intersection of technology, education, and employment. The firm deploys capital across seed through Series A stages, targeting companies that rewire education delivery and workforce training. Confirmed portfolio companies include Outschool (online learning marketplace), Guild Education (employer-tuition platform), and Handshake (college career network), all per public record. Strategy combines direct equity investments with structured financings, often taking board seats to guide portfolio startups. Total deployment exceeds $200 million across more than 100 companies (per public record). The firm maintains offices in Boston, Mountain View, and San Francisco. Greenfield and partner Andrew Shyy lead investment decisions. No philanthropic arm is disclosed distinct from the fund's mission-driven charter. Startup:Education differentiates itself through its exclusive focus on education and workforce — a narrower mandate than typical edtech venture funds. The firm describes itself as a 'hybrid' between a traditional venture capital firm and an impact fund, prioritizing measurable outcomes in learner access and career mobility over pure financial returns.
General information
Firm type
Venture/Impact Fund
Year founded
2011
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Boston
Corporate office
Boston, MA, United States
Additional offices
Mountain View, CA, United States · San Francisco, CA, United States
Principals
Matt Greenfield
Managing Partner
Andrew Shyy
Partner
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Startup:Education?
Managing Partner Matt Greenfield and Partner Andrew Shyy lead investment decisions. Greenfield co-founded the firm in 2011 after leading investments at Rethink Education (per public record).
How does Startup:Education source proprietary deal flow?
The firm relies on its founding team's network in education technology and workforce development. Public records indicate referrals from portfolio founders and academic institutions form a significant source.
Is Startup:Education structured as a family office or a venture firm?
Startup:Education is structured as a venture capital fund, not a family office. It operates under a traditional limited-partner model and does not manage single-family capital.
What investment stages does Startup:Education typically target?
The firm invests at seed through Series A stages, with an average check size not publicly disclosed. Confirmed early-stage portfolio companies include Outschool, Guild Education, and Handshake.
Which sectors does Startup:Education explicitly focus on?
The firm's mandate is restricted to education and workforce technology. It has backed companies in K-12 online learning, employer-tuition management, and college career networks, per public records.
Does Startup:Education maintain philanthropic structures?
No separate philanthropic entity is publicly disclosed. The fund's charter integrates impact measurement with financial returns, tracking metrics such as learner access and career mobility.
What distinguishes Startup:Education from generalist edtech venture funds?
The firm's narrower mandate — exclusively education and workforce — versus broader edtech funds allows deeper domain expertise. It structures deals with board seats and follow-on reserves, per public records.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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