Company: Founderz
Nomination Submitted by: Expert Marketing Advisors
Company Description: Founded in 2020, Founderz is an online business school dedicated to upskilling individuals for the jobs of the future. With over 9,000 learners in 20 countries, our platform is also trusted by more than 200 companies, including Deloitte, HP, and EY, for team training.
Nomination Category: New Product & Service Categories - Education
Nomination Sub Category: Use of Artificial Intelligence in EdTech
 Nomination Title: Founderz' Online Business School
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the nominated new or new-version product or service, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: If this is a brand-new product, state the date on which it was released. If this is a new version of an existing product, state the date on which the update was released:
Founded in 2020, Founderz is an online business school dedicated to upskilling individuals for the jobs of the future. With over 9,000 learners in 20 countries, our platform is also trusted by more than 200 companies, including Deloitte, HP, and EY, for team training.
Our collaborative learning platform leverages online training programs, AI, and metaverse technology to deliver an interactive, online learning experience. Users can learn at any time and from anywhere through short video lessons, live events, masterclasses, and forum debates within a community of global students.
We also developed the first online AI & Innovation learning program in collaboration with Microsoft. In its first week, the program attracted 1,500 new registrants and has since grown to over 5,000 students, making it the largest AI training program in Europe.
In December 2023, we introduced the first online AI in Sports learning program in collaboration with the Global Sports Innovation Center powered by Microsoft (GSIC). This program prepares professionals for AI applications in sports, featuring insights from Microsoft’s AI General Manager and case studies from leading organizations at the forefront of this transformation, such as LaLiga and Real Madrid.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Describe the features, functions, and benefits of the nominated product or service (up to 350 words):
Total 345 words used.
Founderz’s learning ecosystem redefines online education by combining cutting-edge training programs with a collaborative platform, an AI Study Buddy, and a virtual campus. Our collaborative education platform organizes each program into accessible modules, allowing students to navigate through bite-sized, cinema-quality video lessons, assignments, and progress tracking, all of which enhance accessibility.
Our virtual campus offers an immersive and interactive learning environment. Here, students can engage in real-time interactions with peers, attend online events and masterclasses. They can also join the Founderz Discord channel to stay updated on the latest trends and share current news, fostering a global community that transcends traditional online education boundaries enabling students to learn from and with each other.
Our AI Study Buddy, powered by GPT-4, provides personalized assistance as a virtual companion. This tool not only addresses specific program queries but also tailors the learning experience to individual student needs, enhancing the effectiveness of their educational journey.
Practical application of knowledge is key. Students demonstrate their understanding with video-recorded assignments, which are then shared for peer review. This process not only reinforces learning but also cultivates communication and feedback skills. Upon completing these modules, students receive certifications, showcasing their expertise within the Founderz network.
Our collaboration with industry leaders like Microsoft elevates the learning experience. The AI & Innovation course, for example, offers firsthand insights from industry experts, including the creators of Microsoft's RAI framework. These partnerships offer a robust platform for the professional advancement of individuals and the training of company employees.
The benefits of choosing Founderz are multifaceted. We emphasize active, collaborative learning over passive video consumption, utilizing our AI for deep student profiling. This approach not only enhances the learning process but also provides insights into individual learning styles. Our rapid program deployment, facilitated by an in-house production team, ensures timely and relevant content delivery. Additionally, our graduates emerge as upskilled evangelists for our partners' products, underscoring our impact on market leadership.
In summary, Founderz is not just a platform for gaining knowledge; it's a dynamic, technology-driven community that empowers students through collaborative and interactive learning experiences.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Outline the market performance, critical reception, and customer satisfaction with the product or service to date. State monetary or unit sales figures to date, if possible, and how they compare to expectations or past performance. Provide links to laudatory product or service reviews. Include some customer testimonials, if applicable (up to 350 words):
Total 303 words used.
The advancements in cloud and AI have ushered a new wave of required skills for work. According to Deloitte, 70% of professionals believe their job skills will change significantly in the coming year. With confidence in higher education also falling, about 48% of university students have considered dropping out due to a lack of suitable courses. These statistics highlight a need for upskilling and reskilling which Founderz provides as an alternative education option.
Founderz has grown its global ecosystem of learners to over 9,000 in three years. This year, the company experienced 7X growth, is currently profitable and raised $1.5 million in funding. We also offer three scholarship programs for those enrolled. This year, Founderz is anticipating $2.5 million in revenue.
Our focus has been on expanding our customer base and empowering learners through an interactive platform that is rich in content and experience. Our collected findings of this initiative show us that while the industry average duration of a learner’s session is about 15 minutes, Founderz users have an average double to that:
Average session duration: 15 minutes
· Coursera: 18 minutes
· Founderz: 30 minutes
Our customer satisfaction rate yields 4.5/5.0 based on over 100,000 feedback submissions.
Customer Reviews
- “Highly recommend this course for any type of profile. A 2 to 3-month course that teaches us how to automate processes and elevate company performance to a whole new level! It’s the world’s most comprehensive Master’s in Artificial Intelligence, take note.” – Ignacio Herrero, Online Program in AI & Innovation student
- "I'm extremely motivated by the content and the ultra-innovative platform they've developed, ranging from a learning assistant powered by a ChatGPT 4 intelligence engine to meetings in virtual classrooms in the Metaverse." – Carlos Daniel Zelada, Online Program in AI & Innovation Student
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 214 words used.
Founderz, co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Pau Garcia-Milà and Anna Cejudo, stands as a testament to a passion for innovation. Pau, founded a cloud computing startup, eyesOS, at 17 years old, which was later acquired by Telefonica in 2013. He was recognized by MIT's TR-35 in 2011 and his work has been featured in USA Today.
Anna was recently recognized among the top-10 leaders of Spanish startups led by women, a distinction awarded by the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) that led to her participation in a Mind The Bridge program for startups in San Francisco.
Together, Pau and Anna previously co-founded the disruptive innovation consulting firm Ideafoster, which was acquired by Canvia, a company of the global investment group Advent International, in 2018.
Founderz’s training program features online video lessons delivered by top-experts and industry leaders such as:
- Michaela Vovoreanu, Director for Aether, Microsoft’s AI Ethics
- David Carmona, General Manager, AI at Microsoft
- Shahzia Holtom, Head of Applied AI at Microsoft
- Xiaopeng Li, AI Lead (Western Europe) at Microsoft
- Andres Espinosa, Professor at Babson College and Academic Director at Founderz
The following video http://Founderz, co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Pau Garcia-Milà and Anna Cejudo, stands as a testament to a passion for innovation. Pau, founded a cloud computing startup, eyesOS, at 17 years old, which was later acquired by Telefonica in 2013. He was recognized by MIT's TR-35 in 2011 and his work has been featured in USA Today. Anna was recently recognized among the top-10 leaders of Spanish startups led by women, a distinction awarded by the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) that led to her participation in a Mind The Bridge program for startups in San Francisco. Together, Pau and Anna previously co-founded the disruptive innovation consulting firm Ideafoster, which was acquired by Canvia, a company of the global investment group Advent International, in 2018. Founderz’s training program features online video lessons delivered by top-experts and industry leaders such as: · Michaela Vovoreanu, Director for Aether, Microsoft’s AI Ethics · David Carmona, General Manager, AI at Microsoft · Shahzia Holtom, Head of Applied AI at Microsoft · Xiaopeng Li, AI Lead (Western Europe) at Microsoft · Andres Espinosa, Professor at Babson College and Academic Director at Founderz The attached video provides a clear demonstration of how the platform functions and offers a walkthrough of the user interface, showcasing the learning experience available to Founderz's users.(link to download video here) provides a clear demonstration of how the platform functions and offers a walkthrough of the user interface, showcasing the learning experience available to Founderz's users.
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