With help of NFL player, this start-up aims to be Netflix of education
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Felix Ruano (L), Michael Vilardo and Michael Vilardo are cofounders for Emile
Hayden Grant
Felix Ruano, Michael Vilardo, and Michael Vilardo have achieved the American Dream. Ruano is the son of Mexican immigrants. Ruano was born in Los Angeles. Vilardo is from Colombia and was the first Ivy student to be admitted from his highschool. After starting higher education through community college, Vilardo attended seven schools within five years and then he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. Vilardo worked later at Uber where he was instrumental in the launch of Uber Freight.
Vilardo, Ruano both come from the same background. They noticed differences between their peers and those at their Ivy League schools. They were able to learn from mentors and peers, which helped them achieve professional success. Combining their experience in technology, education, and entrepreneurship — and leveraging the connections they formed in school and at work — they launched Emile Learning in October 2020, an online educational platform offering “bingeable” accredited courses which many students can access for free.
The mission of their company, to provide quality education to all students in the world, led them to raise $5.3 million from angel investors Softbank and Owl Ventures. Kleiner Perkins, which has supported two of the best online education businesses, Duolingo, as well as Coursera and now publicly listed, also invested in their venture.
The young Latino executives are needed to represent a sector of tech entrepreneurs that is dominated predominantly by white founders. Vilardo is steadfast to his goal: To help children who are like him and me.
Education, wealth and success
Vilardo credits much of his success and the importance of networking and education. Higher education, especially at the most prestigious universities, allowed Vilardo to see firsthand how it opened doors for him and helped connect him with mentors that would be crucial in his growth and capital raising. The Uber Alum Syndicate executives invested in Vilardo and made connections with former Uber employees. Around 30% of the 40 initial employees came from ridesharing platforms.
Vilardo believes education is key to success. Emile Learning’s goal is to help children unlock every opportunity, because not all people have access to an Ivy League education, or to a network of professionals at major corporations with market caps close to $60 billion.
Vilardo stated that “at the end of it all, your zip code or wealth largely determines your education. Your education also dictates the trajectory of your life,” Vilardo explained. “We are committed to providing the best possible care.” [someone from]Any socioeconomic class or zip code can access a high-quality education at an affordable price. It is an enormous lift for society if we are able to empower anyone in this country, and ultimately the entire world, to have access to the highest quality education.
Most successful entrepreneurs are driven to find solutions for problems that they firsthand experience. Vilardo experienced this early on in the pandemic. He was completing his MBA at UCLA when his university struggled to adjust to digital learning.
How will a high school in North Dakota, Nebraska or North Dakota be capable of handling the digital transition if top-tier universities can’t handle it? Vilardo said.
Emile Learning initially tutored students with high academic potential who wanted to increase their score on AP exams. Vilardo and Ruano saw more potential after Emile was accredited for its courses.
With their coveted accreditation they can provide schools with classes for students from all backgrounds, in both core and extracurricular subjects. They empower learners to finish on time and have access to crucial curriculum such as personal finance that is not required in high school.
Brandon Copeland was a linebacker in the NFL, a personal finance instructor at University of Pennsylvania and a member of CNBC Financial Wellness Council. Because of its commitment to diversity, he chose to become an investor as well as an instructor on the platform.
“We are making sure that young people have not only access to the traditional classes and the lessons we learned in highschool, but also the modern classes.” [other subjects]. My goal is to give people real-life education that they can actually use in their lives. We are aligned in this mission.
Copeland claims that he achieved his dreams because he had the ability to learn how to control his finances, manage his money and maintain financial health. He hopes that Emile Learning will help his students achieve their financial goals through financial education.
“When I think about real impact and building a legacy, being able to teach somebody about their money – how to use their money, how to maximize their money, how to make money – I personally believe that is something that will last with them. Copeland stated that teaching someone money can not only make their life better but also help their families, friends, and community.
Some school districts turned to Emile Learning to establish remote learning infrastructure after they began receiving Covid relief funds during the pandemic. Students’ memberships are now funded by public tax dollars, so many students who do not have the means to buy a membership will be able to access them. HiEmile.com’sCourses for no cost
“Public tax dollars can be used for improving education opportunities. [less affluent] districts,” Vilardo said. Vilardo stated that children can enjoy the product for free, which allows them to make an impact on kids from any socioeconomic background.
Vilardo says education is now more important than ever because students in poorer areas have to deal with the impact of the pandemic.
His main concern is now helping students who were affected during the pandemic, he stated. We’re helping them to bridge this gap, and to be able for them to emerge with more confidence once they use our products.
Untapped online education market
Virtual education was a hot topic during this pandemic. Traditional brick-and-mortar schools were unable to rapidly build the infrastructure necessary for online learning. Many online platforms took over the role of virtual educators. By offering teachers the opportunity to sell courses on Zoom, Outschool became a popular online platform. Masterclass is a high-quality online platform that allows adults and kids to learn from industry professionals and celebrities. YouTube is not only used for entertainment but it also provides educational videos for children.
Emile Learning is able to stand out from the crowd despite being in saturated markets.
We have high conviction in that [our]Vilardo explained that accreditation is an important differentiation. Watching Masterclass or YouTube is not a way to apply to University of Michigan. … With Emile, you absolutely can apply to go to college and earn validated credit.”
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Copeland said that the platform stands out from competitors because it uses a unique method of delivering content.
He said, “We are going to keep being different by engaging our students in an unique way.” We’re trying our best to use the most recent trends in communication and technology to reach young people, not to force them to enter the educational system.
Vilardo describes interacting on their content as “watching your favourite Netflix documentary or series.” The next episode is what you need to see before you go to bed. It’s engaging, it’s learning, and it’s a state of flow.
Emile’s course is a kind of docuseries. It uses high-quality production elements and captures viewers’ attention. Vilardo stated that the courses can be broken down into shorter, more digestible segments of 10 to 15 minutes each. This will allow for greater accessibility to learners with a familiarity with digital technology and quick-moving content.
Vilardo explained that high school students who start 10 years hence will be more suited to learning in digital formats.
Company combined accredited curriculum and movie-caliber production allowed it to set up its own LA production studio and hire experienced cinematographers, producers, and instructors.
You could quite easily compare [our courses]Vilardo stated that this is what top screenwriters are doing in entertainment. It is not difficult to build scripts… but it’s also possible to work with talented individuals who bring those ideas out and make them visible through stunning videography.
VIlardo explained that it’s the teachers who make a company great, but not the CEOs. The economy. And the economy. He added that a more educated society equals more opportunities for all involved.
Brandon Copeland (NFL Linebacker) is a member of CNBC’s Financial Wellness Council. He also teaches at Emile Learning.
Bobby Quillard
Emile Learning’s appeal and success are based on the ability to capture and retain talent.
“Peloton helped personal trainers – the best in the world – get compensated top of market and be leveraged by technology and media. We’re doing [something]Vilardo explained that the teachers will be very similar to each other and it’ll allow them to provide more personalized instruction. The teachers can also focus their attention on students who are struggling or on students in need of help. [that are]He said that this was a way to go for better instruction.”
Peloton and Zoom were among the technology firms that made money by people staying home in times of pandemic. However, demand is decreasing as people resume their normal activities. Vilardo claims Emile Learning offers greater potential for growth post-pandemic. Emile Learning helps to fill in the curricular gaps. It also alleviates the shortage of teachers, since many educators have left the field for better jobs and more lucrative salaries.
Copeland stated that he is as passionate about the company’s founders and mission as Copeland.
There are many people doing financial education strictly for business and for entertainment. Copeland stated that these men aren’t. There is an important difference between the education that you get and what schools you are enrolled at. [Michael and Felix]We genuinely desire to see that change.”
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Disclosure: Comcast Ventures and NBCUniversal are both investors Acorns.
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