Huohua

Huohua, officially known as Beijing Huohua Sihai Education Technology Co., Ltd., was an online education platform specializing in K-12 mathematical and scientific thinking training. Founded in 2017 by Luo Jian, the company aimed to cultivate students' interest and foundational skills in STEM subjects through interactive online classes. Luo Jian, who previously co-founded the successful parenting platform Babytree, brought significant entrepreneurial experience to this venture, aiming to address the evolving educational needs in China.

The company's core offering consisted of small, live online classes for children aged 3 to 12, covering subjects like math, Chinese, and science. Huohua's platform utilized a 'small class model' with one instructor for every four to six students, fostering a more personalized and interactive learning environment. The curriculum was game-based, incorporating animations and interactive elements to make learning engaging and effective for young children. This approach was designed to move beyond rote memorization, instead focusing on developing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Huohua operated on a direct-to-consumer model, generating revenue by selling course packages to parents. The primary target market was families in China seeking supplementary education for their children. The company experienced rapid growth, securing substantial funding from prominent investors. By 2020, Huohua had raised over $150 million in its Series E1 financing round, led by investors like KKR, GGV Capital, and Tencent. At its peak, the platform served over 85,000 active students daily. However, the company faced significant challenges following the 2021 regulatory changes in China's private education sector, which heavily impacted after-school tutoring services.

Keywords: online education, K-12, edtech, mathematical thinking, STEM, live classes, game-based learning, China, after-school tutoring, small class model