Top 23 Higher Education Startups to Watch in 2026

Top 23 Higher Education Startups to Watch in 2026

The higher education sector is seeing new companies tackle a wide range of challenges, from student payments to virtual healthcare. These startups are globally distributed, with hubs in the United States, India, and the United Kingdom.

For instance, the study abroad platform Leap has raised $317.4M to connect students with international programs. Other companies like Campus are building entire online colleges, having secured over $101M in funding.

Below is our list of 23 Higher Education startups worth keeping an eye on.

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Boost My School Logo

Boost My School builds a complete payment solution that helps schools collect everything from tuition to donations. Their platform is designed to streamline all types of financial transactions for educational institutions, including event ticket sales.

HeadquartersNew York, New York, United States
Year Founded2019
FoundersHolman Gao
Funding Amount$10M
Startup SizeFounding Team (1-10)
Last Funding StatusSeries A
Top InvestorsAllos Ventures, High Alpha, Stella Capital, Ground Game Ventures, FOVC
Campus Logo

Campus runs an online college offering accredited associate degrees in business with live, interactive classes. They bring together a network of professors from top universities to provide a more affordable and accessible path to higher education.

HeadquartersNew York, New York, United States
Year Founded2016
FoundersTade Oyerinde
Funding Amount$101.6M
Startup SizeLarge Team (251-1,000)
Last Funding StatusSeries B
Top InvestorsGeneral Catalyst, Founders Fund, 8VC, Reach Capital, 137 Ventures
Learfield Logo

Learfield connects major brands to the world of college sports through its media and technology services. The company helps universities manage multimedia rights, sponsorships, and ticketing to unlock the commercial value of their athletic programs.

HeadquartersPlano, Texas, United States
Year Founded1972
FoundersClyde Lear, Derry Brownfield
Funding Amount$150M
Startup SizeMajor Organization (1,001-5,000)
Last Funding StatusPrivate Equity
Top InvestorsFortress Investment Group, Clearlake Capital Group, Charlesbank Capital Partners
Modern Campus Logo

Modern Campus builds a student lifecycle management platform that helps higher education institutions engage modern learners. The company’s suite of SaaS products is tailored for continuing education and non-degree programs, covering everything from marketing and enrollment to student success and alumni relations.

HeadquartersToronto, Ontario, Canada
Year Founded1999
Founders
Funding Amount$59M
Startup SizeLarge Team (251-1,000)
Last Funding StatusDebt Financing
Top InvestorsMidCap Financial, Riverside Company, Serent Capital, PNC, MidCap Financial Investment
Pathify Logo

Pathify develops a modern student portal for higher education, creating a single digital hub for campus life. Their platform integrates various campus systems and communication tools to boost student engagement and simplify access to resources.

HeadquartersDenver, Colorado, United States
Year Founded2017
FoundersChase Williams, James McCubbin
Funding Amount$26.3M
Startup SizeMid-Size Team (51-250)
Last Funding StatusPrivate Equity
Top InvestorsFive Elms Capital, Brex, Brian McNamara
TimelyCare Logo

TimelyCare provides a virtual health and well-being solution built for colleges and universities. Their platform offers students equitable, on-demand access to medical care and mental health support.

HeadquartersFort Worth, Texas, United States
Year Founded2017
FoundersAlan Dennington, Chris Clark, Luke Hejl
Funding Amount$65.7M
Startup SizeLarge Team (251-1,000)
Last Funding StatusSeries B
Top InvestorsJMI Equity
Leap Logo

Leap has built a platform that guides students through the complex process of studying internationally. They provide comprehensive support that includes test preparation, university applications, financing, and visa assistance.

HeadquartersBengaluru, Karnataka, India
Year Founded2019
FoundersArnav Kumar, Vaibhav Singh
Funding Amount$317.4M
Startup SizeLarge Team (251-1,000)
Last Funding StatusDebt Financing
Top InvestorsPeak XV Partners, HSBC, Jungle Ventures, Apis Partners, Owl Ventures
Masai School Logo

Masai School runs a career-focused coding institute with a disciplined, military-style training regimen. They are known for an outcome-driven model where students pay tuition only after securing a technology job.

HeadquartersBengaluru, Karnataka, India
Year Founded2019
FoundersNrupul Dev, Prateek Shukla, Yogesh Bhat
Funding Amount$22.2M
Startup SizeLarge Team (251-1,000)
Last Funding StatusSeries B
Top InvestorsAlteria Capital, India Quotient, Unitus Ventures, Omidyar Network India, AngelList India
FundMiner Logo

FundMiner builds an AI-powered software solution for fundraising organizations in the higher education and non-profit sectors. Their platform helps these groups discover untapped funding opportunities and manage their donor portfolios more effectively.

HeadquartersTexas, United States, United States
Year Founded2022
FoundersAlejandro Stevenson Duran, Chelsea Lamego
Funding Amount$4.2M
Startup SizeFounding Team (1-10)
Last Funding StatusSeed
Top InvestorsTechstars, Cascade Seed Fund, Sonoran Founders Fund
Housr Logo

Housr operates a marketplace that streamlines the search for student housing across the UK and US. Their platform allows students to browse properties, book viewings, and secure their accommodation all online.

HeadquartersManchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
Year Founded2019
FoundersBen Clayton, Harry Neil Panter
Funding Amount£1.5M
Startup SizeLean Team (11-50)
Last Funding StatusSeed
Top InvestorsBachmanity Capital

13 Additional Higher Education Startups Worth Following

Our top picks are just the beginning of the story in higher education. Founders everywhere are launching new projects to help people learn in better ways.

The next group of companies has collectively raised nearly $400 million, and they range from brand new startups to more established names. Here are the other businesses we think are important to watch.



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