Former Googlers seek to captivate kids with an AI-powered learning app

In a bid to revolutionize educational experiences for children, a trio of former Google employees has developed an AI-driven interactive learning app named Sparkli. Recognizing the limitations of existing generative AI tools that often rely solely on text or voice, the founders—Lax Poojary, Lucie Marchand, and Myn Kang—sought to create a more engaging solution for young learners. As parents, Poojary and Kang found themselves struggling to satisfy their children's inquisitive nature. "Kids are inherently curious, and my son would ask complex questions about how things work, like cars or the weather. I tried using ChatGPT or Gemini for explanations, but it often resulted in lengthy text that didn't hold his interest," Poojary shared in an interview with TechCrunch. Their vision for Sparkli was to provide an interactive learning experience that captivates young minds. Before launching Sparkli, Poojary and Kang co-founded Touring Bird, a travel aggregator, and Shoploop, a video-centric social commerce platform, during their time at Google’s Area 120 incubator. Marchand, now the Chief Technology Officer of Sparkli, also co-founded Shoploop and later contributed to other Google projects. Poojary noted, "When children ask what Mars looked like fifty years ago, we might show them a still image. A decade ago, it might have been a video. With Sparkli, we want to immerse kids in an interactive experience of what Mars is truly like." The app aims to bridge the gap left by traditional education systems, which often lag behind in teaching modern topics such as financial literacy, skills design, and entrepreneurship. Sparkli allows children to explore predefined subjects or pose their own questions, creating a personalized learning journey. Each day, the app introduces a new topic for discovery, offering a blend of audio, video, images, quizzes, and games within its chapters. The interactive adventures designed by the app avoid the pressure of right or wrong answers, fostering a relaxed learning environment. Utilizing generative AI, Sparkli can generate educational content within two minutes of a user's inquiry, with plans to further reduce this time. While acknowledging that AI tools can support learning, the startup emphasizes that their focus is on creating a safe and enriching experience for children. To achieve this, they have prioritized hiring experts in educational science and pedagogy. Safety is a critical concern when it comes to children engaging with AI. Sparkli has implemented strict content guidelines, banning sensitive topics like sexual content. When children inquire about self-harm, the app redirects the conversation towards emotional intelligence and encourages dialogue with parents. Currently, Sparkli is piloting its app with an educational institution that encompasses over 100,000 students, targeting children aged 5 to 12. The startup has tested its product in more than 20 schools, gathering valuable feedback. Additionally, a teacher module has been integrated, allowing educators to monitor student progress and assign appropriate homework. Drawing inspiration from successful platforms like Duolingo, Sparkli incorporates gamification elements such as streaks and rewards to keep children engaged. Poojary remarked on the positive feedback from pilot programs, noting that teachers have used Sparkli to initiate discussions in the classroom and to enhance understanding through exploration. While the startup aims to initially collaborate with schools globally, it plans to open consumer access for parents to download the app by mid-2026. Sparkli has successfully raised $5 million in pre-seed funding, led by Swiss venture firm Founderful, marking its first venture into pure-play edtech. Lukas Weder, a founding partner at Founderful, expressed enthusiasm for the investment, citing the app's potential to provide a more immersive learning experience for children. Sparkli is poised to transform how kids learn, steering them away from passive entertainment and towards engaging educational content that sparks curiosity and creativity.