Zynga invests $1m in educational game makers

Social games maker Zynga has invested $1 million in a venture fund to support entrepreneurs in the field of interactive education.

It is partnering with the NewSchools Venture Fund, through an ‘ed tech’ accelerator which is to be hosted at Zynga’s San Francisco headquarters, providing workspace for companies developing progressive learning games and apps.

The firm’s employees will also assist the companies on a voluntary basis, sharing their experience in the various aspects of game creation.

“We’re excited about the learning potential of games,” said Ken Weber, executive director of Zynga.org, the non-profit organisation established by Zynga.

“We’re honoured to collaborate with NewSchools, a proven leader in the education technology space, on this accelerator. We want to help entrepreneurs create high quality, scalable learning games that will enhance learning experiences for all 21st century students.”

The accelerator officially opens this summer. Among the first companies to the be part of scheme are Kidaptive, LocoMotiveLabs and Motion Math, as well as Edmodo, the world’s largest social learning platform.

Zynga.org has raised more than $15 million for worthy causes since its launch. NewSchools Venture Fund is a non-profit organisation that supports entrepreneurs in creating innovative ways to improve public education.