Outsmart College

Outsmart Education, operating as Outsmart College, is a stealth-mode edtech venture founded in 2024 by a trio of former Duolingo executives: Jorge Mazal (CEO), Daniel Falabella (Chief Product Officer), and Gina Gotthilf (Chief Marketing Officer). The company is addressing the persistent challenges of rising tuition costs and significant student debt within the U.S. higher education system. Its stated mission is to enhance the affordability and accessibility of college-level education.

The inspiration for Outsmart Education is deeply rooted in the personal experiences of its founders. CEO Jorge Mazal, a Latino immigrant and Harvard graduate, personally navigated the burdensome process of financing his own education, which resulted in substantial debt and a firsthand understanding of the system's financial barriers. This founder-led insight, combined with the team's collective experience from scaling Duolingo and other tech firms like Dropbox and Zynga, underpins the company's strategic direction.

While specific details about its product and business model remain undisclosed, Outsmart Education has articulated a focus on creating scalable solutions that improve degree affordability and student retention. The company aims to offer a more flexible and personalized approach compared to existing services. In November 2024, the New York-based startup secured a significant milestone with a $13 million seed funding round. The round was led by Khosla Ventures, with participation from notable investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Karman Ventures, and Latitud Ventures, signaling strong market confidence in the team's vision to transform the educational landscape. The capital is allocated towards team expansion and product development as the company prepares for its market entry.

Keywords: Outsmart Education, higher education, edtech, college affordability, student debt, online learning platform, tuition costs, Jorge Mazal, Gina Gotthilf, Daniel Falabella, Duolingo alumni, Khosla Ventures, education access, student finance, degree affordability, student retention, personalized learning, education technology, stealth startup