Ello is a San Francisco-based edtech startup building an AI-powered reading coach for children in kindergarten through third grade. Using world-leading child speech recognition, Ello listens as a child reads aloud and provides real-time, gentle corrections and encouragement through its proprietary Adaptive Learn technology, replicating the support of a 1:1 human reading tutor. The platform pairs this coaching with an exclusive library of phonics-aligned decodable e-books matched to each child's level, plus a rewards system grounded in behavioral psychology to keep young readers motivated. Founded in 2019 by Tom Sayer, Dr. Elizabeth Adams, and Catalin Voss, Ello aims to eradicate childhood illiteracy and offers discounted access for low-income families. The company reports that the majority of children using Ello read more, gain confidence, and improve their reading skills.
Ello
ActiveAI reading coach that listens to kids read aloud and helps them improve
Total raised
$15M
1 round
Stage
Series A
Team
11-50
since 2019
Pricing
Freemium
free plan
Founded
2019
San Francisco, United States
Agent-ready
—
Child speech recognition for reading aloud
Real-time corrections and encouragement
Adaptive Learn personalization technology
Library of phonics-aligned decodable books
Reading-level matching per child
Rewards and motivation system
Multiple reader profiles per subscription
10/100
Early
MCP server
Public API
Webhooks
OAuth 2.0
SDKs
No public agent surfaces detected yet.
— Series A $15M incl. Common Sense Growth +4
Capital network
$15.1M raised ·5 backers·10 network links
- Backers5
- Shared portfoliocompanies these backers also fund
- Extended networkfunds that co-invest alongside them
Wispr
Effortless voice dictation powered by AI
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ElevenLabs
The most realistic AI voices for creators, developers, and enterprise.
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Numerade
AI-powered STEM tutor with the largest video lesson library
AI ChatbotsAI Education
Wondercraft
The Canva of audio — generative AI podcasts and ads
AI VideoAI Voice & Speech
Multiverse
AI workforce training and apprenticeships to reskill employees
AI Education
David AI
The data layer for next-generation audio and voice AI models
AI Voice & SpeechAI Audio
- What does Ello do?
- Ello is an AI reading coach that listens to K-3 children read aloud and gives real-time help and encouragement.
- What ages is Ello for?
- Children in kindergarten through third grade.
- How much has Ello raised?
- Ello raised a $15M Series A led by Goodwater Capital in September 2023, for about $15.1M total.
- Who founded Ello?
- Tom Sayer, Dr. Elizabeth Adams, and Catalin Voss founded Ello in 2019.
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