
OneUni
Smartphone-Based Degrees from Top Universities.
Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
---|---|---|---|
$3.5m | Seed | ||
Total Funding | 000k |
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One University Network (OneUni) was an educational technology firm established in July 2015, positioned to address the accessibility of higher education in growing markets. Founded by a team with deep roots in the education sector, including Gene Wade, Miles Lasater, and Susan Morrow, the company was headquartered in Oakland, California. Wade, who served as CEO, had previously co-founded several other educational ventures, including UniversityNow and Platform Learning, reflecting a career-long focus on creating alternative pathways for students.
The company's core offering was a mobile-first learning platform designed to allow students to pursue and earn full university degrees primarily through a smartphone. This model was built to partner with universities around the world, adapting their curricula for mobile delivery. The platform was more than a content repository; it facilitated interactive learning experiences and fostered a support ecosystem connecting students, faculty, and mentors. Mentors provided subject matter expertise and coaching, were rated by students, and aimed to solve the scarcity of qualified instructors in developing regions.
OneUni's business model focused on enabling affordable and self-paced degree programs, targeting a market of students for whom traditional, campus-based education was not feasible. The revenue model appears to have been based on partnerships with these academic institutions. The venture gained early traction in the investment community, securing $3.5 million in a seed funding round from investors such as 500 Global, Founder Collective, and Collab Fund. Despite its promising start and a clear mission to widen educational access, One University Network ceased operations, with its status listed as out of business by November 2017.
Keywords: One University Network, Gene Wade, EdTech, mobile learning, higher education platform, online degrees, student support, university partnerships, venture capital, educational accessibility, Oakland startup, mobile-first education, remote learning, digital curriculum, student mentorship, edtech funding, Founder Collective, 500 Global, out of business, deadpooled