🤜🤛 Are Learning Companions the Future of Student Support in Post-Secondary?
AI-powered companions are showing up in student services, writing support, and workplace learning. Here’s what’s emerging. 🇺🇸 Early Bird now open for the Back to School Summit Sept 9-11 in New York.
Hello 👋
A new generation of AI-powered learning platforms is taking shape, designed not as content platforms or tutoring tools, but as persistent, intelligent guides for learners navigating academic, personal, and professional journeys. Learning Companions span higher education and workforce learning, meeting students where they are—on campus, at home, or on the job.
In post-secondary, a learning companion offered by EdSights engages learners through conversational voice-check-ins that surface challenges early and connect them with campus resources, blending relational engagement with automation. In the workforce, Litmos’s AI assistant curates training based on real-time needs, offering personalized pathways that evolve as job roles change. These companions aim to make support more continuous and contextual, but they also raise important questions about the boundaries between human and automated support.
HolonIQ’s latest briefing unpacks this evolving space, exploring the early signals, the strategic moves by institutions and providers, and the broader implications for education and work. There is clear momentum, and growing curiosity, around how learner support will evolve. If you aren't already a customer, request a Demo today for access to HolonIQ's market data, analysis and briefings.

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💪 Power Moves
💻 CFP launched a new official AI-powered exam preparation platform to support future candidates.
🎓 Carnegie Mellon University announced a partnership with Schoolhouse.world, allowing students to gain hands-on experiences as tutors on the Schoolhouse platform.
🤝 Emirati Human Resources Development Council (EHRDC) and Unilever partnered to nurture Emirati talent, especially in leadership and business roles.
💰 Education Funding
HolonIQ actively monitors and tracks capital flow in the education market, spanning across all regions and transaction categories.
🖥️ Shikho, a Bangladesh-based online tutoring provider, has raised $8M to expand its AI-based education offerings.
👶 Footprints Childcare, an Indian preschool and daycare chain, secured $7.5M to open new centres, enhance smart surveillance systems, and improve digital engagement with parents.
🎓 Tutornow, an Italian online tutoring platform, announced that it has raised $1.1M in funding to optimise the matching between tutor and student.
🏫 Polyglots, a Japanese English language learning app, announced that it has raised $1.5M to expand beyond language learning to become a personal growth platform.
Thank you for reading. Have a great week ahead!
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