Course Hero Acquires Israeli AI-Powered Math Edtech Developer Symbolab

US firm Course Hero, an online learning platform for course-specific study resources, has acquired Israeli edtech company Symbolab, an AI-powered developer to help students study math, the companies announced on Tuesday.

The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 2011 by mathematicians and computer scientists, Symbolab, a Tel Aviv-based company that is considered a pioneer in the development and use of artificial intelligence to solve math challenges, has been used by over 50 million students in 2020 alone.

The acquisition “reflects Course Hero’s commitment to identifying technologies and developing innovations in learning science,” the announcement said.

“Having launched a first-of-its-kind, AI-powered geometry solution today, Symbolab is the only math education platform in the world that can help students and educators solve complex geometry problems featuring detailed explanations and proofs,” Course Hero said in the statement. “Symbolab’s expertise in AI and learning science will amplify Course Hero’s future development of cutting-edge resources and tools for learners,”

“We are constantly exploring innovative ways to make mathematics accessible for students, reducing anxiety and equipping them with the understanding they need to persist at the next level,” said Michal Avny, co-founder and CEO of Symbolab. “By joining forces with Course Hero, our technology solutions will give many millions of students the confidence they need for broader educational success.”

College-level math “is among the most challenging subjects for students, but it’s also one of the most important gateways to college success,” said Andrew Grauer, co-founder and CEO of Course Hero. “This is about complementing great teaching by providing students with another way to ask and answer questions, practice, and master critical concepts,” he added,

“The Symbolab team is tightly aligned with our culture and values. They share our primary mission to provide access and equity to all students, helping them graduate, confident, and prepared.”

Symbolab’s tech will be integrated into the Course Hero platform but the Tel Aviv brand will keep its brand and team.

Course Hero’s online learning platform offers over 40 million course-specific study resources created by and for students and educators, as well as 24/7 tutor help. The range of learning materials include practice problems, study guides, textbook solutions, videos, class notes, and step-by-step explanations for every subject. More than 50,000 faculty across the U.S. and Canada use Course Hero to share their resources with the community, collaborate with other faculty, and hone new strategies for instruction.

This is Course Hero’s first strategic acquisition following its $80 million Series B funding in August.