Brisk Secures $15M to Revolutionize Classrooms with AI: A Quick Start in EdTech Innovation

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education technology, distinguishing between student-generated writing and that produced by AI tools like ChatGPT has become increasingly challenging. This dilemma has prompted innovative solutions, such as the recently announced tool from the AI edtech startup, Brisk, which aims to assist educators in identifying AI-generated content. With a remarkable $15 million in new funding, Brisk is positioned to enhance its offerings and expand its reach.

Brisk’s Innovative Writing Inspector Tool

Brisk has developed a comprehensive platform that includes a robust writing inspector, alongside approximately 40 additional tools designed for teachers and students. Accessible via a Chrome extension, these tools leverage generative AI, computer vision, and other advanced technologies. Not only do they aim to streamline educational workflows, but they also enhance the quality of educational outputs. Key functionalities include:

• Creation of written lesson plans, tests, and presentations
• Customization of assignments for different learning abilities
• Efficient grading processes

Brisk’s Vision: An AI-Native EdTech Stack

According to Brisk’s CEO, Arman Jaffer, the current educational technology landscape is not adequately prepared for the integration of AI. He highlights that teachers in the U.S. typically utilize around 140 different tools annually. Brisk is dedicated to creating an AI-native educational technology ecosystem that better serves educators and students alike.

The recent funding will facilitate the development of additional tools and the expansion of the platform to include integrations with other services. An exciting Microsoft integration is projected for fall 2025, targeting the numerous schools that predominantly use Microsoft products.

Brisk’s Impressive Growth Trajectory

Since securing a seed round of $5 million in September 2024, Brisk has experienced significant growth. The company reports a five-fold increase in its user base and a remarkable 40x revenue growth during 2024, starting from scratch. Currently, over 2,000 schools across 100 countries utilize Brisk’s products, with more than 90% of its business generated through inbound interest. As of February 2025, one in five K-12 teachers in the U.S. has downloaded the Brisk Extension.

Funding and Support from Leading Investors

The recent funding round is led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from notable investors such as Owl Ventures, Springbank Collective, and South Park Commons.

The Intersection of Technology and Education

The integration of technology in education has been accelerating, particularly in response to budget cuts and the decline of traditional textbooks. Various startups and established tech giants are rolling out innovative edtech applications, targeting both students and educators. For instance, platforms like Khan Academy cater directly to learners, while companies like Google and Microsoft focus on providing comprehensive tools for educators.

As technology becomes more accessible, teachers are increasingly seeking user-friendly applications to connect with their students. An example of this trend is the gamification of education, exemplified by platforms like Kahoot.

AI: A Transformative Force in Education

AI represents the next evolutionary step in edtech. Companies like Brisk advocate for AI’s role in enhancing educational experiences, arguing that it can improve efficiency and outcomes for both teachers and students.

However, the introduction of AI in education also raises concerns. For example, OpenAI’s teachers’ guide to ChatGPT, released in November 2024, faced criticism for not adequately addressing significant issues related to data accuracy and protection.

The Future of Brisk and AI in Education

Arman Jaffer founded Brisk after gaining experience in edtech at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where he led the development of Notebooks, a collaborative tool for students and teachers. Although Notebooks did not achieve significant traction, it laid the groundwork for Brisk’s mission to transform educational collaboration through AI.

Brisk’s writing inspector tool is designed to assist educators by monitoring students’ writing processes. It flags any unusual activity, such as copy-pasting, and allows teachers to determine whether the work was genuinely produced by the student or generated by AI.

The platform’s most popular feature, Targeted Feedback, utilizes generative AI to analyze student essays on Google Docs, providing tailored comments based on age and grading rubrics. Teachers can review and adjust these comments before sharing them with students, ensuring a thoughtful feedback process.

Looking Ahead

As Brisk continues to innovate, the company plans to introduce more immersive tools and a new web platform later this year, allowing educators to collaborate seamlessly within the Brisk ecosystem. Future enhancements will also include multimodal integrations that enable students to submit image-based work and utilize audio features for document descriptions.

The future of education technology is bright, and with companies like Brisk leading the charge, the integration of AI into educational practices is set to revolutionize how teachers and students interact and learn.