Desmos

Desmos operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, Desmos Studio PBC, with a focused mission to advance math literacy. The company was founded in 2011 by Eli Luberoff, a math and physics double major from Yale University. Luberoff's unconventional educational journey, which included being homeschooled and taking university courses during his middle and high school years, informed his perspective on the need for better educational tools. His experience tutoring to pay for college highlighted the power of visual graphing technology in helping students grasp complex concepts, which directly inspired the creation of Desmos.

The firm launched its flagship product, a free and powerful web-based graphing calculator, at the TechCrunch Disrupt New York conference in 2011. This core offering is designed to be accessible, running on any computer or tablet via a web browser without downloads. The calculator can instantly plot a wide array of equations, from simple lines to complex derivatives and Fourier series, and includes features like interactive sliders, data tables, and regressions. Over the years, the product suite has expanded to include a Scientific Calculator, Matrix Calculator, and beta versions of Geometry and 3D calculators.

Desmos's business model centers on providing its core calculator tools for free to individual users like students and teachers, while generating revenue through strategic partnerships. The company licenses its software to publishers, assessment companies, and educational institutions, allowing them to embed the calculator into their digital textbooks, curricula, and examination platforms. This B2B approach has enabled Desmos to be integrated into numerous state-level assessments and digital college entrance exams. In May 2022, the company underwent a significant structural change: its curriculum and instructional technology division was acquired by Amplify, while the calculator and tools business was spun off to form the independent Desmos Studio, PBC, led by Luberoff.

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