South Africa: Grindstone Ventures in education deal
South Africa-based Play Sense, an independent preschool that offers play-based learning through its micro-schools online platform, has secured an undisclosed funding round from Grindstone Ventures as it prepares for expansion.
The early childhood education platform offers play-based learning through micro-schools and an online home school programme. Founded by early childhood experts Meg Faure and Lara Schoenfeld, Play Sense combines various types of play to develop toddlers and pre-schoolers’ core skills and school readiness. Play Sense’s unique micro-school model enables teachers to set up their own playschools at home or in a space provided by one of the families in the group. The franchise programme, dubbed a ”business in a box,” equips entrepreneurs with comprehensive training, a play kit, and operations, admin, marketing, and teacher support. Additionally, Play Sense assists in finding and securing loans for entrepreneurs.
According to co-founder Meg Faure, Play Sense provides a cost-effective and highly-scalable model for progressive preschool education. “This empowers women who are passionate about early childhood to become successful entrepreneurs and create lasting impact in their communities – both through education and economic empowerment.” The Play Sense franchise programme includes everything needed to start a profitable playschool at one of the most affordable prices available on the market.
Through its online learning platform, the company also offers accredited teacher training with the ECD Masterclass Series. Play Sense’s ECD Masterclasses are designed to inspire ECD professionals, boost their skills, and provide practical tools for the classroom, while rewarding teachers with SACE points for every workshop attended.
Play Sense is a Grindstone Ventures portfolio company, a fund that invests in companies with strong intellectual property and exponential growth potential, with the aim of generating long-term capital growth and sustainable cash yields for investors.
Catherine Young, managing partner of Grindstone Ventures added, “We are excited to have Play Sense join our portfolio of investee companies, as they are reimagining early child education by offering a secure bridge between home and preschool, creating an environment that supports collaboration, creativity, self regulation and adaptability. Perfect ingredients to spark a desire for lifelong learning in future generations.”
Grindstone Ventures’ anchor investor is the SA SME Fund, headed by Ketso Gordhan. Along with Play Sense, Grindstone Ventures has seven other portfolio companies in its fold, including AgrilogiQ, Welo Health, Matter Industries, Drive to Own, Sticitt, Locstat and Locumbase.