BloomBoard

The firm's business model centers on providing turnkey programs to K-12 school districts that address educator pipeline, advancement, and retention challenges. BloomBoard forges partnerships between these districts and higher education institutions to offer on-the-job degree and certification programs. This approach allows educators, from teacher's aides to aspiring school leaders, to advance their careers and increase their compensation without leaving the classroom. Revenue is generated by creating and implementing these district-branded programs, effectively making advanced education an accessible employee benefit.

BloomBoard’s core service is a platform that facilitates competency-based learning and micro-credentials. Instead of traditional professional development, educators engage in a portfolio-based learning model, demonstrating their skills through artifacts from their own classroom practice. The platform supports this with coaching, access to content, and collaborative virtual environments. A key achievement was the introduction of micro-credentials in 2015, which are now recognized for graduate-level credit by partner universities like Brandman University and Portland State University, and for salary advancement or recertification in several states. This system helps districts measure teacher growth for promotions and salary adjustments, addressing issues like learning recovery and student well-being. The company has secured $16 million in total funding over four rounds, including a $7.2 million Series B in 2015 with investors like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Birchmere Ventures.