Clever Inc. Company Profile and Competitive Analysis
Overview
Clever Inc. is a leading provider in the edtech sector, offering a centralized digital learning integration platform with secure Single Sign-On (SSO) services. Serving over 95,000 schools across the U.S., Clever reaches 60% of American students logging on monthly and partners with 95 of the nation’s largest school districts, solidifying its role as a major player in educational technology.
Leadership Team and Advisors
- CEO: Trish Sparks
Trish Sparks guides Clever with her extensive experience in customer success from LinkedIn and DemandBase, emphasizing strategic advancements. Holding BS degrees in Business and Education and an MBA from Meredith College, she is based in Chapel Hill, NC.
- CFO: Amy Lee
Overseeing Clever's financial and legal functions, Amy's expertise from Qantas Airways and Ernst & Young supports its fiscal health. Active in educational community initiatives, she is based in San Francisco, CA.
- CSMO: Anne Murguia
Leading sales and marketing, Anne utilizes her experience from Indeed and Jobvite to amplify Clever’s market presence. She is a graduate of The Wharton School and Stanford University.
- CTO: Eric Krugler
With a background from Apple, Eric drives Clever's tech innovations, holding a BS in Computer Engineering from UC San Diego.
- CPO: Jamie Reffell
Overseeing product design and strategy, Jamie brings previous leadership experience from Yahoo and eBay, along with her role as a UC Berkeley instructor.
- Co-founders/Advisors: Dan Carroll, Rafael Garcia, and Tyler Bosmeny
Dan’s transition from education to tech, Rafael’s machine learning acumen, and Tyler’s strategic oversight and board involvement have been pivotal in Clever’s development and advisory roles.
Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships
Clever's partnership with Kahoot! enhances its educational solutions portfolio, with the acquisition by Kahoot! in 2021 valuing Clever at up to $500 million. This collaboration aligns with Clever’s goals of accessibility and security in edtech.
Products and Services
- Clever Portal: Provides SSO for streamlined access to educational resources.
- Clever Badges: Simplifies student authentication.
- Clever Library: Offers a curated selection of educational applications.
- Security and Identity Management: Ensures the protection of educational data.
Clever prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), fostering an equal-opportunity environment internally and through product design.
Financial Overview
Prior to its acquisition, Clever raised $43.4 million across four funding rounds from investors such as Bessemer Venture Partners and SV Angel, enabling its significant growth and market reach. The company reports annual revenue of $42.4 million, supported by 282 employees.
Competitive Landscape
Primary Competitors
- ClassLink: Established in 1998, provides identity and access management solutions with SSO. Reports a 38.4% increase in staff as of December 2022, highlighting operational growth.
- Schoology: Part of PowerSchool, offers extensive learning management solutions, significant post-acquisition by PowerSchool in 2019.
- GoGuardian: Focused on device management and security for schools, backed by $200 million in funding, emphasizing student safety.
- Microsoft Education: Offers tools like Microsoft 365 Education, enhancing global classroom collaboration.
Additional Alternatives
- Google Classroom: Known for integration and cost-effectiveness in educational environments.
- Blackbaud Education Management Solutions: Provides comprehensive educational management tools.
- Edmodo: Offers flexible teaching and collaboration platforms.
Market Insights
Reviews and market comparisons position ClassLink and Schoology as key alternatives to Clever due to their robust user access management and personalized learning solutions.
Competitors are actively enhancing product innovation to improve educational access and resource integration, potentially influencing Clever's market dynamics and strategies.
Conclusion
Clever Inc.'s robust market presence and strategic growth initiatives underpin its competitive stance, though constant vigilance to competitor actions and market trends remains essential to maintaining its leadership in the educational technology sector.
