# COMPASS

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/compass-3

- Industry: Education/Training
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Website: www.qubena.com/
- Total disclosed funding: $6.2M
- Latest round: Series B (Apr 13, 2018)
- Investors on record: 3

## About

Based in Japan, COMPASS Inc. provides innovative educational technology solutions primarily through its flagship product, Qubena, which enhances learning experiences for elementary and junior high school students using AI-driven adaptive learning tools.Founded in 2012 in Tokyo, Japan, COMPASS Inc. specializes in educational technology. The company was fully acquired by Shogakukan Inc. in February 2020, becoming its wholly-owned subsidiary. The leadership includes CEO Austin Williams. The firm has been involved in 4 deals since its inception, with the most recent funding event being a Series B round that raised JPY 670.000 mn, bringing the total amount raised to JPY 670.000 mn and current valuation to JPY 3392.365 mn.Qubena, developed by COMPASS Inc., offers a learning e-portal coupled with AI-driven educational materials aimed primarily at elementary and junior high school students. The core product, Qubena, functions as an adaptive learning tool that personalizes educational content based on each student's proficiency level. By utilizing AI technology, the platform analyzes the unique ways in which students make mistakes and provides tailored questions from a database of tens of thousands, ensuring that learners receive support even for topics they may have struggled with in previous grades. Qubena is designed to enhance engagement and reinforce foundational academic skills across core subjects, including mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies, catering to students from grade 1 through grade 9. The primary clientele for Qubena includes local educational authorities and schools across Japan, with adoption noted in various municipalities such as Hyogo Prefecture and cities like Kasugai and Higashi-Osaka.COMPASS Inc. generates revenue through partnerships with educational institutions that implement Qubena within their curricula. The transaction structure is primarily B2B, where schools enter into agreements with COMPASS, adopting the Qubena platform for their student body. The service operates under a subscription model, allowing schools to access and utilize the platform for a specified duration, thus ensuring continual updates and support. Specific pricing plans and costs for the services provided are established during the agreement phase but may vary depending on the scale of implementation and the number of users. This pricing model reflects a commitment to offering a comprehensive educational solution that integrates seamlessly into the existing educational framework of the institutions served, emphasizing the importance of data-driven instruction and personalized learning experiences.COMPASS Inc. aims to strengthen its product line by developing additional tools designed to enhance learning outcomes, with specific product launches planned for the next 18 months. The company is also exploring opportunities to expand its market presence beyond Japan, targeting Southeast Asian markets by 2025. Recent funding from the Series B round will be utilized to bolster product development and facilitate market expansion efforts.

## Funding rounds

- Series B, Apr 13, 2018, $6.2M — ITOCHU Technology Ventures, SBI Shinsei Corporate Investment, Kaga Electronics Co., Ltd

## Investors

- ITOCHU Technology Ventures (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/itochu-technology-ventures) — Series B
- SBI Shinsei Corporate Investment (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/sbi-shinsei-corporate-investment) — Series B
- Kaga Electronics Co., Ltd — Series B