Zurich-based startup Sparkli has emerged from stealth, securing $5 million in pre-seed funding to revolutionize children's education. Founded by former Google veterans, the company is developing an AI-native learning engine designed to transform passive screen time into active, curiosity-driven exploration. This new platform aims to address a critical gap in how children aged 5 to 12 interact with digital content.
Bridging the Agency and Curiosity Gap
Modern education often struggles to keep pace with a child's natural curiosity, relying on static textbooks and rigid digital drills. Existing AI tools, while powerful for adults, are frequently unsafe or present information in overwhelming formats for young minds. This results in an "Agency and Curiosity Gap," where increased screen time does not translate into meaningful learning.
An Interactive Approach to Knowledge
Sparkli's platform utilizes a real-time multimodal AI to convert a child's questions into interactive, multidisciplinary learning journeys. For instance, a query about building a city on Mars generates a playable simulation involving physics, design, and strategic decision-making. This method replaces passive text consumption with an engaging, hands-on experience that fosters deeper understanding.
The company's pedagogy is built on three fundamental shifts: from static curricula to real-time relevance, from passive viewing to active engagement, and from memorization to critical skill development. This approach ensures that learning is dynamic, interactive, and focused on future-ready capabilities like problem-solving. Underpinning this is a system that builds a unique knowledge profile for each child, enabling personalized learning.
Early Success and Strategic Validation
To validate its innovative model, Sparkli is conducting a strategic pilot with one of the world's largest private school groups. This partnership provides access to a vast network of over 100 schools and more than 100,000 students. The pilot serves as a powerful testing ground for refining the platform ahead of its wider launch.
Initial feedback from these pilots has been overwhelmingly positive, with teachers observing heightened engagement in classroom activities. Students have simulated running businesses and explored complex scientific topics, while parents noted a significant improvement in the quality of their children's screen time. These early results demonstrate the platform's potential to make learning more purposeful and exciting for young users.
Funding the Future of Learning
The newly acquired $5 million in pre-seed funding, with participation from investors like Founderful, will be instrumental in scaling Sparkli's generative learning engine. These funds will also support preparations for a private beta launch scheduled for January 2026, followed by a consumer release. The investment signals strong confidence in the company's mission to innovate within the education sector.
The founding team, comprising veterans from Google's Area 120, Search, and YouTube, brings a wealth of experience in consumer technology and AI. Their long-term vision is for Sparkli to become an AI-native operating system for childhood development, evolving into a lifelong learning companion. This ambitious goal aims to connect early curiosity with future passions and skills.
Sparkli's emergence from stealth with significant funding marks a promising development in the educational technology landscape. By prioritizing agency, curiosity, and interactive experiences, the company is poised to redefine the relationship between children and digital learning. Its AI-driven platform offers a compelling solution to transform screen time into a valuable tool for building the next generation of thinkers and creators.