Game-based learning platform Kahoot has substantially expanded its portfolio, announcing that it has acquired learn-to-read app, Poio, and maths education game studio, DragonBox.
Announced in early May, the acquisitions see Norwegian-based Kahoot further expand its global reach in the K-12 educational game market, with the company announcing it planned to release an English version of the Scandinavia-only Poio by June 2019.
“There is only one goal for Poio, and that is to help as many children”
“We’re impressed by how Poio has already helped more than 100,000 children in Scandinavia to learn how to read in an awesome way,” said Åsmund Furuseth, chief executive and co-founder of Kahoot.
“We are together launching Poio in the UK and to our international community of millions of users, empowering kids everywhere to play, learn, and find joy in reading.”
Founded by former teacher Daniel Senn, Poio allows children to play as the titular main character, teaching reading skills through positive feedback and exploration with an emphasis on fun.
“There is only one goal for Poio, and that is to help as many children as possible to crack the reading code through play,” Senn said.
“By teaming up with Kahoot, we will be able to launch Poio in more languages and with new functionality, bringing the joy of reading to millions of children around the world.”
DragonBox, which won best learning game at the 2016 Games for Change awards, meanwhile will continue to develop maths games while supplementing the Kahoot’s current offerings.
Describing itself as the “Netflix of education”, the purchases of DragonBox for £14 million and Poio for £5 million see Kahoot continue its expansionist mindset after last year launching the Ignite accelerator program, which it will use to identify and invest in new educational start-ups.
In 2018, Disney acquired a 4% stake in Kahoot, taking up an option after the mobile and online education games platform completed its accelerator program in 2017.
