TouchMath

TouchMath

Founded in Colorado Springs, TouchMath developed a step-by-step multisensory approach to teaching computation, originally designed for students with learning disabilities. The methodology uses dot-notation and tactile cues to make abstract math concepts concrete, filling a gap that standard textbook programs did not address. Over four decades, the program expanded from a supplemental intervention tool into a core curriculum adopted across all fifty states, primarily in Title I and special-education settings. The firm generates revenue by licensing its print and digital curriculum directly to school districts, alongside professional development contracts that train teachers in its methodology. Key product lines include TouchMath Pre-K, TouchMath Kindergarten, and remedial programs for grades 1 through 5, with newer digital editions that integrate tablet-based interaction. The customer base is overwhelmingly public K-12 institutions, giving TouchMath deep exposure to annual district budget cycles and federal IDEA funding streams that flow through state education agencies. Distribution occurs through a small internal sales team and a network of educational consultants, with no retail or direct-to-consumer channel. TouchMath was acquired in 2019 by Leeds Equity Partners, a New York-based private equity firm focused exclusively on the knowledge sector (per public record). The acquisition signals a thesis around consolidating K-12 special-education assets with sticky, compliance-driven revenue. Under Leeds, TouchMath has invested in digitizing its legacy print curriculum and expanding its professional learning offerings, positioning the business for districts transitioning away from paper-bound resources. No additional offices beyond Colorado Springs are publicly confirmed. Structurally, TouchMath operates less like a curriculum publisher and more like a specialized compliance tool. Its products become embedded in Individualized Education Programs — legally binding documents under federal law — which creates a high switching cost few competitors can replicate. This moat is reinforced by multi-year district contracts and teacher familiarity with a methodology that requires explicit training to implement, making the firm distinct from broad-line K-12 publishers that treat special education as a secondary market.