YAGO

YAGO Inc. operates 'classmall Kids', an online programming school for elementary school students. The platform utilizes the Education Edition of the popular game Minecraft to teach programming fundamentals, helping children develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills in an engaging way. The curriculum is structured into several courses based on skill level, such as the 'My Pro™ Course' which uses the visual block-based editor MakeCode, and the 'Command Course' which introduces more complex text-based commands. YAGO also offers seasonal programs like summer and winter camps.

The company was founded in August 2019 by Takafumi Inoue, who serves as the CEO. Before establishing YAGO, Inoue had a notable career at Rakuten, Inc., where he was involved in new business launches and eventually became the head of the flea market app 'Rakuma'. His experience in developing C2C services influenced YAGO's initial ventures, which included an online lesson marketplace called 'classmall' for activities like yoga and pilates, before pivoting to focus on 'classmall Kids'. The company's mission is to "create new value and advance society," aiming to nurture skills and critical thinking in the next generation through technology. YAGO is backed by investors including Incubate Fund.

Keywords: EdTech, online learning, programming school, children's education, Minecraft education, coding for kids, STEM education, e-learning, Takafumi Inoue, classmall Kids, logical thinking, creative thinking, gamified learning, online camps, MakeCode, visual programming, command line, digital literacy, Japanese startup, educational technology