Zen Educate, an innovative online platform revolutionizing teacher recruitment, has successfully raised $37 million in a Series B funding round to address the pressing global teacher shortage. Founded in London in 2017 by Slava Kremerman and Oren Cohen, Zen Educate aims to streamline the hiring process by eliminating expensive third-party recruitment agencies, making it easier and more cost-effective for schools to find qualified educators.
A Tech-Driven Approach to Recruitment
Zen Educate’s platform allows schools and teachers to create detailed profiles, enabling an algorithm to match them based on proximity, skills, experience, and other relevant criteria. This tech-driven approach has already made significant inroads in the education sector by reducing hiring costs and offering greater flexibility to educators. Schools can use the platform to hire for full-time roles, while teachers can find temporary or part-time positions that fit their schedules.
Growing Impact and Expansion
Since a $21 million Series A round in late 2022, Zen Educate has expanded its operations into the U.S., currently serving five states: Texas, Colorado, California, Arizona, and Minnesota. In the U.K., the platform is operational across 11 regions. Over 15% of Zen Educate’s 300-strong workforce is now based in the U.S.
“From our soft-launch in Minneapolis, we’ve become the second-largest provider in the state,” said CEO Slava Kremerman. “We’re now live across five states and collaborating with nine of the top 200 largest school districts in the U.S.”
Strategic Acquisitions and Future Plans
In addition to the Series B funding, Zen Educate has acquired Aquinas Education, a prominent teacher staffing agency. This acquisition, the company’s second following the purchase of Opus Education in early 2023, strengthens Zen Educate’s capabilities and market presence. Aquinas Education was co-owned by former professional soccer player and TV presenter Jermaine Jenas, who will join Zen Educate as a brand ambassador.
“The integration of Aquinas Education and the involvement of Jermaine Jenas will enhance our mission to revolutionize the education staffing industry,” Kremerman noted. “We are committed to saving the education system over $100 million annually through our efficient recruitment model.”
The latest funding round, led by Round2 Capital with contributions from Adjuvo, Brighteye Ventures, FJ Labs, Ascension Ventures, and various angel investors, will support further expansion in the U.S. and U.K. Additionally, Zen Educate plans to launch new software for school administrators, including tools for credentialing, compliance, and absence management.
Commitment to Quality Education
Zen Educate’s platform has facilitated over two million hours of education in the past year, saving the education system over $25 million in agency fees. By offering higher pay to teachers and lower costs to schools, the platform is set to make a lasting impact on the global education sector.
Educators working through Zen Educate have delivered more than two million hours of education in the past 12 months alone, underscoring the platform’s efficiency and reach. This achievement has resulted in significant savings, estimated at over $25 million, for the education system.
Jermaine Jenas, reflecting on his new role as a brand ambassador, said, “Zen Educate’s approach empowers schools to prioritize high-quality teaching and focus on the young minds of the future by eliminating unnecessary costs.”
With plans to hire over 1,000 teachers and paraprofessionals in the U.S. in the coming months, Zen Educate is addressing the critical need for flexible support in classrooms and special education programs. The company’s future roadmap includes additional acquisitions in both the U.S. and U.K. to further consolidate the fragmented market and enhance its technological offerings.
Leadership and Vision
Zen Educate recently appointed Chris Berry as the Managing Director for its U.S. operations. Berry, who previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at Bench Accounting, brings extensive experience in scaling startups. His appointment aligns with Zen Educate’s goal of meeting the increasing demand for educational staffing in the U.S., where the company has already signed contracts with districts representing over 150,000 students.
“There has been way more demand from districts for our Para and Substitute Teacher marketplace than we had thought possible since launching in the U.S. two years ago,” Kremerman said. “We’re really excited to bring on a seasoned leader like Chris, who has a wealth of experience scaling startups in the U.S.”
As Zen Educate continues to grow, it remains committed to transforming the educational staffing industry on a global scale, leveraging technology to deliver efficient, cost-effective solutions that benefit both schools and educators.
