Labster

Labster develops a platform that offers virtual laboratory simulations based on mathematical algorithms for students' e-learning.

It is an internationally-focused company dedicated to the development of pioneering online tools for teaching science globally. Labster's primary product is an easily scalable online platform for teachingbiotechnology that has been demonstrated to improve learning significantly over standard methods as well as substantially reduce costs. It is dedicated to bringing life science teaching to life. We think every day about the big picture of science education. The Labster platform is a 3D virtual learning environment based on a Virtual Lab. Labster includes molecular 3D animations, quiz questions, and background theory that engages students in an immersive, game-like multimedia experience. Structured around cases that explore both theory and experimental processes, our virtual labs offer advanced, unified scientific teaching solutions at a fraction of the cost of traditional labs.

Labster makes an educator’s job easier, integrating with the most popular LMS (learning management system) platforms and freeing up their time by automatically grading quiz questions and providing them with a dashboard of student performance data.

To ensure that every student has access to high-quality science education, Labster supports and engages all learners by offering popular simulations in multiple languages, featuring diverse characters on screen, and accommodating hearing and visual impairments.

The virtual science labs have been used by California State University, Harvard, Gwinnett Technical College, MIT, Exeter University, University of New Haven, Stanford, University of New England, Trinity College, University of Hong Kong and Berkeley, among others internationally.

Mads Bonde, Founder and Chairman of Labster, cited the company's unique learning product as the reason for its growth. "The pandemic has clearly shown that a lot of ed tech fails because it merely brings old teaching methods online, without tapping into the many technological possibilities that are leveraged for consumer apps and games. Students are bored and we're losing out on the potential for so many future scientists," said Bonde. "Labster's game-based platform makes learning addictive. Our approach stimulates students' natural curiosity and attains much higher learning outcomes. In the future, we will see new scientists, healthcare professionals, and science-literate adults who were first trained in a Labster simulation."

Currently in 70+ countries, Labster has already put together an ambitious roadmap for expansion, and is now hiring across all major teams such as engineering, product, sales and customer success. The company will establish operations in South America this spring in the next stage of its plan to serve educators and students around the world with virtual lab simulations for hybrid, remote, and in-person learning modalities.

Labster is growing its core offerings to meet the needs of educators and students who are determined to continue learning without interruption due to the pandemic or the many other barriers to education. They are exploring additional ways to extend their award-winning virtual lab platform to students of all backgrounds, including those who may not have laptops or broadband Internet service. In the future, some students may use mobile devices to access Labster's high-quality virtual lab simulations.

"Labster recognizes that if you combine the best aspects of in-person instruction and a game-based platform, it's a transformative learning experience for students," said Scott Kupor, Managing Partner at Andreessen Horowitz. "We are excited to support the Labster team, especially now, when teachers and students are especially in need of its engaging virtual labs."

"If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that students everywhere need access to high-quality learning anywhere," said Jenny Lee, Managing Partner at GGV Capital. "We believe Labster successfully leverages its game engine to deliver interactive virtual lab experiences that consistently engage science students whether they are learning inside a school building or at home."

"It has been incredible to watch Labster's progress over the past four years as they have pushed forward their mission of democratising high-quality education," says Lars Fjeldsoe-Nielsen, who led Labster's Series A for Balderton Capital, "Adoption has already skyrocketed across Europe and North America, and the team is now building on this momentum, bringing access to best-in-class education to new corners of the world and inspiring the next generation of scientists."

Labster was co-founded in 2011 by Mads Tvillinggaard Bonde and Michael Bodekaer in Copenhagen, Hovedstaden, Denmark.

BOSTON, Feb. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Labster, the award-winning producer of virtual laboratory simulations, today announced it raised $60 million in Series C funding. The round was led by new investor Andreessen Horowitz, joined by existing investors GGV Capital, Owl Ventures, Balderton Capital, David Helgason, founder of Unity Technologies, Northzone, Swisscom Ventures, and EduCapital. The round brings Labster's total capital raised to $100 million.

Named one of Newsweek's 50 U.S. Businesses That Stood Out During the Pandemic, Labster's core team of 200 employees supports over 2,000 universities and high-schools, tens of thousands of courses, and millions of students who use Labster. The latest round of capital will enable Labster to focus on growing the size of its global team to serve students around the world.