Play Sense, an innovative early childhood education platform that combines an exciting play-based curriculum with a unique micro-school model, has raised an undisclosed amount in a funding round led by Grindstone Ventures. The startup will use the fresh capital to enhance its franchise model and accelerate growth. With Grindstone’s support, the company is well-positioned for success and committed to expanding its reach in providing high-quality early childhood education to children globally. The investment also fits nicely into Grindstone’s mandate of enabling global expansion for South African startups.
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Co-founded by Meg Faure and Lara Schoenfeld, Play Sense combines various types of play to develop toddlers’ and preschoolers’ core skills and school readiness. Its unique micro-school model enables teachers to set up their 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 operational, admin, marketing, and teacher support. Additionally, the platform assists in finding and securing loans for entrepreneurs.
The firm believes that learning should be done in small groups, led by a nurturing teacher, and it should be done through play – when little minds are open to exploring and mastering new skills and concepts. Play Sense combines all these factors to provide leading early education that prepares little ones for the world.
Speaking about the company, Co-founder of Play Sense, Meg Faure, said:
Play Sense provides a cost-effective and highly-scalable model for progressive preschool education. This empowers women passionate about early childhood to become successful entrepreneurs and create lasting impact in their communities 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.
Cape Town-based startup combines six different types of play into a unique play-based curriculum. The exciting themes and lessons are carefully designed with practical and age-appropriate activities to teach children the life and school readiness skills they need to master – and all through play.
Managing Partner of Grindstone Ventures, Catherine Young, 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.
Play Sense is a Grindstone Ventures portfolio company, a fund that invests in companies with substantial intellectual property and exponential growth potential to generate long-term capital growth and sustainable cash yields for investors.
In 2020, Play Sense had raised $458,000 in funding from US-based VC firm Enygma Ventures.
