FOUNDER: Pramod Sharma Co-founder and CEO of OSMO
VENTURE: OSMO Interactive iPad Learning
PRODUCT: Voted “Best Innovation 2014” by TIME Magazine, OSMO turns the iPad into an educational device that interacts with the table top. Interactivity is achieved when the iPad is placed into the “Osmo Base” and the “Osmo mirror” is clipped to the top. At this point, information from the table surface is redirected to the OSMO app on the screen. Currently OSMO has five apps: Tangrams, Word, Newton, Masterpiece, and the newest addition to the family, Numbers. In March 2015 OSMO had sold over 100,000 units and generated over $14.5 Million in funding, which is $12.5 million more than the original goal. Increased funding meant the staff was able to grow to include 18 people.
FOUNDER BIO: After graduating as a product engineer from Stanford, company co-founder Pramod Sharma started his professional career in 2001 as a Research Scientist for Gentech Corporation in Japan. In 2005 he moved to work for NVIDIA as a System Architect. From 2005 to 2012 Sharma was employed by Google. During this time he gained management experience as he moved from being a Staff Software Engineer to Engineering Manager, and finally three years in the role of Senior Product Manager. In 2013 Sharma co-founded OSMO with fellow game engineer Jerome Scholler. Without a doubt, Sharma’s experience in design engineering, the online world, and his role as senior management helped provide the professional skills he needed to structure a new, highly successful venture. The team he has helped to develop at OSMO is made up primarily of engineers and designers, whose bios include experience working with Disney, developing devices for human-computer interaction, and even child psychology. It is a very well-rounded team with skills necessary to ensure product success.
MY REFLECTION: As a 19 year teacher I have come to realize that I have a lot of experience to contribute to the world of educational product design. I have a deep understanding of children, different learning theories, developmental psychology, and the education system. I am growing in confidence that my input could be valued.
