How Black entrepreneurs are fixing broken education tech
Five companies transforming learning through diversity-focused technology solutions
The education technology landscape is experiencing a powerful transformation led by Black entrepreneurs who understand that effective learning happens when students see themselves reflected in the tools and platforms they use. These innovators aren’t just creating products — they’re fundamentally reshaping how students from marginalized backgrounds engage with education and envision their futures.
While mainstream EdTech often takes a one-size-fits-all approach, Black EdTech entrepreneurs revolutionizing education bring personal experiences and cultural understanding that directly address gaps in STEM education, community support and higher education accessibility. Their platforms recognize that representation matters and that technology should serve as a bridge to opportunity rather than another barrier.
STEMuli transforms gaming into career pathways
With $3.25 million in seed funding, STEMuli has created an AI-powered, game-based learning platform that connects K-12 students directly to workforce opportunities. The company merged with Infinity.Careers and Oppti to build a comprehensive system that addresses the critical disconnect between classroom learning and real-world career possibilities.
Operating in key markets like Washington, D.C., New York and California, STEMuli uses engaging gaming environments to help students build essential skills while exploring potential futures in technology, engineering and other STEM fields. This approach makes career exploration feel natural and exciting rather than intimidating or abstract.
ColorStack builds community in computer science
Founded by Jehron Petty in 2020, ColorStack has rapidly grown into a nationwide network with 60 university chapters and over 3,000 members. The organization directly tackles the isolation that many students of color experience in computer science programs by providing mentorship, career camps and supportive peer communities.
The platform recognizes that technical skills alone aren’t enough — students also need community, guidance and representation to thrive in fields where they’ve historically been underrepresented. ColorStack creates the social infrastructure that helps students not just survive but excel in computer science.
Upswing meets students where they are
Understanding that non-traditional and first-generation college students often find campus resources inadequate, Upswing provides 24/7 tutoring, academic coaching and mental health support to over 100 colleges nationwide. The platform recognizes that these students face unique challenges that traditional support systems weren’t designed to address.
Whether students need late-night calculus help, stress management strategies or guidance navigating college systems their families never experienced, Upswing delivers comprehensive support that meets students exactly when and where they need it most.
MILO Education transforms teaching practices
Rather than focusing solely on students, MILO Education works to enhance educator effectiveness through tech-enabled professional development that emphasizes equity, culturally responsive teaching and social-emotional learning. The platform has been adopted by school districts, nonprofits and universities nationwide.
MILO trains teachers to recognize diverse learning styles and cultural backgrounds, moving beyond standardized approaches to embrace practices that honor students’ unique experiences. This creates ripple effects that benefit thousands of students by improving the quality of instruction they receive.
Campus reimagines community college accessibility
Founded by Tade Oyerinde in 2022, Campus represents a complete reimagining of the community college experience. This online institution offers live classes taught by professors from top universities, along with essential resources like laptops, Wi-Fi, coaching and career services.
With over $100 million in funding, Campus provides degrees for just $7,200 annually — significantly lower than most public and private colleges. Most students have their tuition fully covered by Pell Grants, allowing them to focus on learning without financial stress barriers that often derail educational goals.
The representation advantage
These Black EdTech entrepreneurs revolutionizing education bring something that traditional education technology often lacks — deep understanding of the specific challenges faced by students from underrepresented backgrounds. Their platforms address not just academic needs but also social, emotional and cultural factors that influence educational success.
This representation advantage allows them to create solutions that feel authentic and relevant to students who might otherwise feel disconnected from educational technology designed without their experiences in mind.
Beyond individual success
While each of these companies addresses specific educational challenges, collectively they demonstrate how diversity in leadership creates innovation that benefits all students. Their approaches to community building, accessibility and culturally responsive design offer models that the broader EdTech industry should embrace.
These entrepreneurs understand that closing educational gaps requires more than just technological solutions — it requires platforms that acknowledge students’ full humanity and provide pathways to opportunity that feel achievable and relevant.
Black EdTech entrepreneurs revolutionizing education prove that when innovators bring lived experience and cultural understanding to technology development, the results benefit everyone while specifically addressing historical inequities. Their success stories demonstrate that diversity in leadership isn’t just morally important — it’s practically essential for creating educational technology that truly serves all students and prepares them for futures where they can thrive.
