San Francisco-based edtech startup Brisk has raised $15 million in Series A funding to expand its AI-powered platform for teachers and students, positioning itself as a leader in building an AI-native education tech stack.
The round was led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with continued backing from Owl Ventures, South Park Commons, and Springbank Collective.
From Chrome Extension to Classroom Staple
Brisk offers over 40 tools via a simple Chrome extension, designed to assist teachers with tasks like:
- Writing lesson plans and tests
- Adapting content for different learning levels
- Grading assignments
- Flagging AI-generated student work
Its most popular feature, “Targeted Feedback,” uses generative AI to read student essays and draft personalized comments, which teachers can edit before sharing.
Co-founder and CEO Arman Jaffer explained:
“The current edtech stack—around 140 tools used by U.S. teachers yearly—wasn’t built for AI. We’re building the stack from the ground up.”
Advertisement
Rapid Growth in Schools
Since raising a $5M seed round in September 2024, Brisk has:
- Grown revenue 40x (from zero)
- Reached 2,000+ schools across 100 countries
- Achieved one in five K–12 teachers in the U.S. installing its extension
- Attracted 90% of its business through inbound demand
Responsible AI, Not Replacement
Brisk’s AI doesn’t make sweeping judgments like “this was written by ChatGPT.” Instead, it monitors students’ writing processes via screen recordings, flags anomalies like excessive copy/paste, and leaves final review to teachers.
“It’s assistive, not judgmental,” says Jaffer. “Teachers stay in control.”
What’s Next
- A Microsoft integration is coming in late 2025 to support Microsoft-based school systems.
- A web platform is in the works, aiming to offer a fully immersive Brisk environment for educators.
- Plans include multimodal tools, such as image-based assignment reviews and “podcast mode” to generate audio summaries of student work.
The Bigger Picture
As AI reshapes industries, education is following suit. While concerns remain about accuracy and data use, investors and educators increasingly see AI as a valuable assistant—not a threat.
Bessemer’s Kent Bennett summed it up:
“Educators aren’t just tolerating AI—they’re actively seeking it out. Brisk is leading the way with tools that help, not replace, teachers.”
With its new funding, Brisk is poised to redefine how AI fits into the modern classroom—by making teachers’ lives easier and students’ learning experiences smarter.
