Imaginable Futures Looks to Make Impact in Learning Worldwide

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 02/20/20

A new philanthropic investment firm has launched that focuses on the future of learning. Imaginable Futures was founded and funded by Pam Omidyar and Pierre Omidyar, who founded eBay. It's a spin-off from Omidyar Network, which has a broader investment mandate. The venture capital fund at Imaginable has already invested $200 million with an additional $150 million for operations and investment committed over the next four years.

The company is following a hybrid funding structure, part philanthropy and part "impact investor." Its current portfolio includes for-profits and non-profits in the United States, Africa and Latin America, focusing on learning innovation in early childhood education; elementary, secondary and post-secondary education; and adult education.

Among Imaginable's "investees" are LearnZillion, DonorsChoose, Code.org, Khan Academy Kids, EdSurge, Wonderschool and dozens of other organizations. A frequently-asked question page on its website explained that it's looking for "innovative" learning approaches that can "dramatically improve learner outcomes and well-being." When choosing where to invest, the company said it follows four criteria:

  • There's the potential for impact at scale;

  • The investee can reach lower socio-economic children and families;

  • The premise is "anchored in the science of learning"; and

  • It has "exceptional mission-driven leadership."

"In today's complex world, skill-sets, relationships and opportunities are evolving far faster than ever before. This results in a need to massively rethink not only what people learn but also how and when they learn," said Amy Klement, managing partner of Imaginable, in a statement. "Imaginable Futures exists to support bold changemakers who are doing exactly that--so that every learner has the opportunity, tools and support that they need to imagine, and to realize, a brighter future."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • classroom scene with students gathered around a laptop showing a virtual tour interface

    Discovery Education Announces Spring Lineup of Free Virtual Field Trips

    This Spring, Discovery Education is collaborating with partners such as Warner Bros., DC Comics, National Science Foundation, NBA, and more to present a series of free virtual field trips for K-12 students.

  • glowing padlock shape integrated into a network of interconnected neon-blue lines and digital nodes, set against a soft, blurred geometric background

    3 in 4 Administrators Expect a Security Incident to Impact Their School This Year

    In an annual survey from education identity platform Clever, 74% of administrators admitted that they believe a security incident is likely to impact their school system in the coming year. That's up from 71% who said the same last year.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • pattern of icons for math and reading, including a pi symbol, calculator, and open book

    HMH Launches Personalized Path Solution

    Adaptive learning company HMH has introduced HMH Personalized Path, a K-8 ELA and math product that combines intervention curriculum, adaptive practice, and assessment for students of all achievement levels.