A North West-based online learning provider for neuro-divergent children has announced its biggest venture capital funding round to date. Gaia Learning received the £550,000 investment from Nesta Impact Investments, which led the round, and GC Angels.
As a global leader in neuro-divergent education, working with children across the 海角视频, Manchester's Gaia offers live classes, content and courses for children aged eight to 16, who have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism and other learning challenges. The programmes deliver much-needed support that traditional schools cannot always provide.
Gaia Learning has seen great success since 2019, going from being a small, specialist tuition business to an award-winning Cambridge Registered International School Online. The company was the first online learning provider to be awarded the ADHD Friendly School award from the ADHD Foundation in 2023.
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Kate Longworth, chief executive of Gaia Learning, said: “We’re so pleased to have our new investment partners on board and them acknowledging the potential in all we do at Gaia Learning to help school partners, learners and their families. We have tripled our learners this academic year, grown our team to 12 staff members and seen huge demand from children who are struggling in mainstream education.
“Now, more than ever, schools need flexible, digital solutions that can scale within budget supporting each neuro-divergent child’s needs.”
Nesta is an early-stage investor which focuses on businesses that support their mission of generating a ‘more sustainable future’. Founded in 1998, Nesta says it has recognised the education disadvantage gap that especially affects those with special educational needs.
The executive director of Investments at Nesta, Lisa Barclay, said: “We are thrilled to invest in Gaia Learning, a company whose mission to support neuro-divergent children better engage in education is aligned with Nesta’s goal to narrow the education attainment gap.”
Co-investors GC Angels are also an early-stage investor in the North West of England. Mark Shirman, GC Angels’ head of investments, said: "Gaia Learning is exactly what GC Angels is all about. The team’s purpose-led approach is helping children who would otherwise be left behind in education to thrive, and the growth they’ve so far achieved is commendable.
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"As the team continues to grow, and with enquiries on the up, we worked with Kate and the team to ensure Gaia Learning has the necessary investment and resources to drive further expansion and, ultimately, deliver incredible results for young people.”
Nesta was advised by law firm DWF. James Bryce of DWF said: "Nesta’s commitment to social impact and innovation aligns closely with our commitment to responsible business, and Gaia Learning’s mission to support neuro-divergent children in a high-growth sector is incredibly exciting. We believe this partnership will create a meaningful impact.”
The DWF corporate team also included partner Dhruv Chhatralia; director Sarah Briscall; associate Eilidh Durkin; partner Ann Frances Cooney; and solicitor Iona Hamilton.
Ms Barclay added: “Students with an Education Health and Care Plan, who Gaia Learning typically supports, at a national level have outcomes at GCSE eight times worse than the average. One of Nesta's key areas of focus is to narrow the education attainment gap and Gaia Learning provides a compelling solution to tackle this.”
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