EdSights, a New York-based developer of a chatbot used by universities to engage and retain students, has raised $1.6 million in a seed round from investors including Lakehouse Ventures, Kairos and The Fund, reports TechCrunch.
Founded in 2017, EdSights licenses its chatbot technology to colleges, which use it to send students text messages about announcements, surveys, reminders and resources pertinent to their needs. The goal is to boost student retention by connecting them with on-campus supports.
Engagement data is captured for administrators to get an overview of the school climate and students’ wellness. According to TechCrunch, customers pay $15 to $25 per student.
Chatbots have emerged as an increasingly popular tool to support college students. Many are designed with human input—often campus officials—who help determine the tone and frequency of the messages. Some colleges, including the University of Wyoming, are using chatbots to help students with questions and concerns related to COVID-19.
