Esme Learning Solutions

Esme Learning Solutions, established in 2019, operates in the educational technology sector, providing an AI-powered platform for online professional development. The company was founded by David Shrier and Beth Porter, two veterans of the edtech industry. Shrier is a technology thought leader credited with creating highly profitable online courses for institutions like MIT and Oxford, while Porter is a former Pearson executive who led the Open edX initiative at the MIT/Harvard joint venture, edX, a platform used by millions of learners globally.

The firm's business model centers on forming partnerships with world-renowned universities to deliver online executive education courses. These collaborations have included prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, MIT, Imperial College Business School, and the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School. The target clientele consists of executives and working professionals seeking to upskill in frontier fields like fintech, cybersecurity, blockchain, and artificial intelligence. Revenue is generated from these courses, which, for example, have been offered as six-week programs with costs around $3,200.

Esme Learning's platform is engineered to create an immersive and collaborative learning experience, moving beyond passive content consumption. It leverages artificial intelligence and principles from cognitive and neuroscience research to enhance student engagement and outcomes. Key features include AI-enabled coaches that offer personalized feedback, live simulations of real-world work scenarios, and interactive small group exercises. This approach has reportedly resulted in high course completion rates. In December 2021, Esme Learning acquired Riff Analytics, an AI-enabled software company, to further bolster its collaborative learning capabilities. The company raised a $7.5 million Series A in January 2021 and secured up to $15 million in venture financing in February 2022, bringing its total funding to $38.5 million at that time. However, according to PitchBook, the company's status is now listed as "Out of Business" as of January 2024.

Keywords: online executive education, AI learning platform, professional development, digital learning, edtech, university partnerships, corporate training, upskilling, fintech courses, cybersecurity training, collaborative learning, cognitive science, David Shrier, Beth Porter, Riff Analytics, Adit Ventures, Hercules Capital, higher education, workforce transformation, remote learning