Former Google trio is building an interactive AI-powered learning app for kids

A new wave of educational technology is emerging, as a trio of former Google employees has unveiled Sparkli, an innovative app aimed at enhancing learning for children through interactive experiences powered by generative AI. Founded by Lax Poojary, Lucie Marchand, and Myn Kang, Sparkli seeks to engage young minds in a way that traditional text or voice responses often fail to achieve. The inspiration for Sparkli stemmed from the challenges Poojary and Kang faced as parents when trying to satisfy their children's endless curiosity about the world around them. 'Kids are inherently curious,' Poojary explained. 'When my son asked how cars function or how rain forms, I turned to AI tools like ChatGPT for answers. However, those responses were often just walls of text. What children truly crave is an interactive learning experience.' This realization fueled their desire to create Sparkli. Before embarking on this journey, Poojary and Kang gained valuable experience at Google’s Area 120, where they co-founded Touring Bird, a travel aggregator, as well as Shoploop, a social commerce app focused on video content. Marchand, now the CTO of Sparkli, also played a pivotal role in Shoploop's development. Sparkli aspires to address the shortcomings of current educational systems by offering lessons on modern concepts such as financial literacy, skills design, and entrepreneurship. The app allows users to explore various predefined topics or pose their own questions, creating a personalized learning path. Each day, a new topic is highlighted, encouraging children to discover something new. The app's content is dynamic, featuring a mix of audio, video, images, quizzes, and games. Additionally, it offers choose-your-own-adventure style experiences, alleviating the pressure of right or wrong answers. Remarkably, Sparkli can generate a tailored learning experience within just two minutes of a user’s inquiry, with plans to further decrease this response time. Recognizing the importance of educational integrity, Sparkli's founding team includes a PhD in educational science and a teacher, ensuring that its content aligns with pedagogical principles. Addressing the safety concerns surrounding AI use among children, Sparkli has implemented strict content guidelines. Topics deemed inappropriate, such as self-harm, prompt the app to guide children toward emotional intelligence discussions and encourage communication with their parents. Currently, Sparkli is piloting its app with a network of schools that serve over 100,000 students, focusing on children aged 5 to 12. The app has undergone testing in more than 20 schools, and it features a module for teachers to monitor student progress and assign homework. Inspired by successful educational platforms like Duolingo, Sparkli incorporates elements like rewards and streaks to motivate children to engage regularly with the app. Feedback from school pilots has been overwhelmingly positive, with teachers utilizing Sparkli to initiate class discussions and enhance the learning experience. Looking ahead, the startup aims to expand its reach to consumers, with plans to allow parents to download the app by mid-2026. Sparkli has successfully secured $5 million in pre-seed funding, led by Swiss venture firm Founderful, marking its first investment in the edtech sector. Lukas Wender, the firm’s founding partner, expressed confidence in Sparkli's potential, highlighting the importance of teaching children critical skills not typically covered in traditional education. With its unique approach to learning, Sparkli is set to change the educational landscape for young learners, offering them an engaging and interactive way to explore the world around them.