EduArrow: Make the Mark

Hi Sarah, A very interesting concept behind this venture, to be sure. At my school, we've been talking quite a lot recently about neuroplasticity and how cognitive therapies can, quite literally, change the brain. The science behind it is over my head, but I find your idea of using software to help diagnose and treat LD early on in students' educational careers to be intriguing, and the fact that you've partnered up with McGill University certainly adds credibility to the proposal. Although thorough, your pitches were a bit heavy on text -- a bit overwhelming to follow. And, while I know not everyone is comfortable in front of the camera, I do think that being able to actually see you, even just briefly, would have contributed to the credibility of the product and the sincerity of the product's aim. Otherwise, I think you managed to very clearly articulate the problem EduArrow will "solve", and identify exactly how you're cornering this niche market. As far as investing in this venture, I (and my advisors) would need to further examine existing research results before making an investment decision.

Feedback: Hi Sarah, I liked your concept. It is very revolutionary and if it can be implemented as you promise, it will be useful also. From what I understood from your elevator and venture pitch is that the neurological concepts are already in practice in Arrowsmith school, but using one-one teachers. You want to create a software interface that will aim to do the same thing as the teacher. I think that is a very good idea. About your presentations, I just felt you can make it a little more visual. Currently, it is a bit text heavy. Also tagging with a bigger brand like McGill is a good idea and creates more recognition. Good work Sarah. -Moumita

Very interesting product, but definitely not my area of expertise. You mention that students would be assessed ideally in Kindergarten... I wonder if that's maybe too soon? At only 5 years old, just by having a different learning pace students could be misdiagnosed as having a learning difficulty. Just a thought, Overall good presentation, and having McGill University as one of the partners is a huge backup and gives credibility to the venture. Well done!

Feedback - Hi Sarah, seems like a revolutionary idea – I like how you took an existing service and found a way to leverage current technology to overcome the two barriers (time and cost) that is preventing the Arrowsmith School from being extensively rolled out. It seems like you have proof of concept in that the Arrowsmith approach has proven results over a number of years. I also like how there is currently no existing competition on the market for EduArrow. The ROI numbers are good and I would invest, but I would have some questions first – I might of missed this, but who else is on the team? What is the marketing plan? Also, my oldest daughter struggled with her hearing when she was in senior kindergarten (she eventually had tubes) and it was not overtly evident initially – my concern would be that an HCI based system may confuse a lack of hearing with something else and misdiagnose. Again, I like the track record of success already in place, the ROI and the market niche EduArrow would have – good job!

Hello Sarah, what an interesting idea. I believe that the earlier we can identify a learning disability in a learner the greater potential that student has to succeed. Much of that success comes from the students ability to self advocate and a teachers ability to accommodate the different learning of each student. Your technology seems to be a way to help students and teachers get off on the right foot. I am a little confused (and uncertain) of the 'fix' that the technology provides. Not having a background in neurology, I cannot say that I am confident in the findings of your application, and as you cannot provide testimonials at this point it becomes even more difficult to come to a conclusion - as an EVA this would prevent me from investing.

HI Sarah, I am very interested in your idea of identifying learning disabilities early. As a secondary school teacher, it is alarming how many students enter my class grossly underprepared for the content because they were not identified earlier as to having an LD. As mentioned in previous reviews, I was immediately skeptical when I heard the word "fixing the disability" - I know it is a fictional work, but it seemed to discredit the presentation for me a bit. That aside, as an EVA I would look closely at your venture and consider investing. From my experience, I have seen many parents reluctant to have their child tested for a learning disability, this may just be the demographics of the school system I work in, but is this something you have considered (although parents want the best for their child, some don't want to hear what you have to say). As this is a fictional piece, I will also accept the science behind what you were presenting - more proven field testing would ultimately be the tipping point for me to invest. Great presentation! Baljeet

Hi Sarah. Your presentation was excellent. My first reaction is that that this seems too good to be true. I believe that the ability of artificial intelligence or programed tests might have the ability to diagnose learning disabilities, perhaps even better than humans at some point. I’m more skeptical about a “cure”. I didn’t get the impression that the evidence for this product was all that compelling, but I’m also optimistic that this will be possible in the future in some cases. As an EVA I think you make a good case and I think this would peak the interest of investors. It’s exciting and it’s promising and I am hopeful this venture will succeed. I would be reluctant to invest in it at this point and would need to see evidence in the form of randomized control trials, if that’s possible, and testimonials from teachers, scientist and parents.

Hi, Sarah, very well done presentation! I am fascinated by your knowledge of the topic and your passion in repairing learning disabilities. You have definitely presented a well constructed venture pitch that unveils a new market possibility! Though, I do find that there is a need to address your venture concepts in greater details so that I can get an idea how you can differentiate from lumosity and others. In addition, I find your ROI are not well justified. How low can you increase the high school drop out rates? How many more students can finish secondary education by using this software? A quantitative estimate would make this cost/benefits analysis more easily interpreted.

Hi Sarah, Well done! You've clearly put a lot of thought and work into your venture idea. Your presentation was very thorough and easy to understand. There were only a few points that resulted in a few questions/comments: 1. You mention that your product uses HCI. I not entirely sure what you mean by this. Are you just saying that people use the computer? Or, are you studying how people interact with the computer and relating it to how the program becomes more personalized to the learner? This point was unclear to me. 2. The statement that there are no direct competitors always makes a bit sceptical. Are you sure? Have there been any in the past that don't exist now? 3. Your revenue model is interesting. I know very little of working with government and so my questions are likely a bit naive. Are government bodies allowed to make money off of commercial products? Also, I'm not sure as an investor (gov't or otherwise) I'd want 25% ownership of the software (do you mean the IP?). Likely, in a year or so the software would evolve into something else. A better deal would perhaps be 25% stake in the company and a rev share on any software you put out the door. This was an interesting venture to review, Sarah. Many thanks, Esther

Hello Sarah. Your idea is certainly revolutionary and in the context of this project I am a bit unsure of to what degree I should be critical about the foundational concept of your venture - that learning disabilities can be diagnosed by software and cured by subsequent cognitive exercises that create new neural pathways. I was unaware of the Arrowsmith program and looked up some further information on it. It is a fascinating technique, but not without controversy. A number of cognitive psychologists and neuroscientists are quite skeptical of the program’s claims, citing lack of scientific research. As this project is a work of fiction, I will set these concerns aside and accept your claims as (fictionally) factual. Your presentation is well done, but I found that the background music was a bit too loud at times and you presented too much text on your slides, relying on reading all the text displayed on the slide. This practice discouraged in presentations. You have successfully presented the pain point and explained how your product will fill a need in the market for which no other products exist. I think you have done a good job of reviewing the competition (although this is no direct competition against your product. If your technology was proven to be effective, I would consider investing as it addresses a problem that has a huge impact on the quality of life for individuals and society at large.