Why we raised $38M to reinvent how the world learns together
by Joel Podolny, CEO, Honor Education
We believe learning shouldn’t be lonely.
For too long, online education has focused primarily on scaling access to content. But access alone isn’t enough. Learning is a deeply human experience. It’s social, motivational, and, when designed thoughtfully, transformative.
This belief is at the heart of Honor, and we’ve received a meaningful vote of confidence: $38 million in Series A funding from Alpha Edison, Wasserstein & Co, Interlock Partners, Audeo Ventures, NewWave Capital, and other strategic investors who share our vision. This funding empowers us to expand our mission—to fundamentally rethink online learning, not as passive content delivery, but as an engaging, purpose-driven, social experience that learners actively want to complete.
Rethinking Online Learning from the Ground Up
Our collective experiences at institutions like Yale, Apple, Snap, Pinterest and other pioneering organizations taught us something essential: people learn better together. Yet much digital learning today neglects this truth, expecting learners to sit alone for hours, passively consuming videos and quizzes.
That approach might increase access but rarely improves outcomes. Completion rates for self-paced online courses average just 5-15%. At Honor, our self-directed courses achieve completion rates around 85%. That’s not incidental—it’s evidence we’re solving the real challenge: making learning engaging, motivating, and socially vibrant.
Honor’s design principle is clear: anytime, anywhere access doesn’t have to mean isolated learning. We’ve built a mobile-first platform that feels intuitive, modern, and human. Learners navigate bite-sized content, actively reacting to ideas, sharing insights, and collaborating—even asynchronously.
Built for Educators and Organizations
Honor isn’t another LMS. It’s a full-stack credentialing platform that enables our partners—universities, nonprofits, professional organizations, and global brands—to convert their expertise into branded, impactful learning experiences.
Partners like The Wharton School, Netflix, AltFinance, and the American College of Healthcare Executives use Honor to:
Easily create engaging courses from expert content
Foster social learning communities that build identity and belonging
Issue credible, customized credentials aligned with their brand standards
Unlike legacy systems, Honor is agile, responsive, and mobile-friendly. Instructors and program managers can assess engagement in real-time and update content rapidly, because knowledge evolves—and learning must evolve with it.
Why This Matters
The world doesn’t need more static content libraries—it needs meaningful learning experiences integrated into daily life: on-the-go, concise, yet impactful. Learning should build community and connections, not just deliver information.
Our approach blends behavioral science, thoughtful design, and AI-driven tools, enabling educators and organizations to create courses that learners don’t just finish—they remember.
Our 2024 impact survey showed:
92% of learners reported increased engagement
90% noted improved comprehension
Over 75% felt a stronger sense of belonging
These results aren’t marketing metrics; they prove that when learning honors human connection, engagement thrives.
Investing in the Future
This new funding enables us to enhance our platform further. We’re expanding our AI capabilities, helping subject matter experts rapidly design personalized, compelling courses. We’re refining learner cohort formation, leveraging data to boost comprehension and foster meaningful connections.
We’re also growing our teams to support our partners, helping them meet modern learners’ real demands and transform static content into dynamic, high-completion experiences.
Our Vision
Five years from now, we envision Honor as the connective tissue for learning worldwide—a global platform where people actively participate in purpose-driven learning networks that feel social, emotionally intelligent, and alive.
We foresee nonprofits, mission-aligned companies, and educators using Honor to build vibrant communities of practice—dynamic social ecosystems rather than isolated digital classrooms. AI won’t replace instructors; it will empower them, highlighting insights, facilitating dialogue, and fostering growth and belonging.
A credential from Honor won’t simply represent completion—it will signify shared identity, trust, and lasting impact.
We’re deeply grateful for the trust our investors have placed in us, the shared vision of our partners, and the passion of our teachers and learners already shaping Honor’s community. Thank you.
