platoseed
Building the world's first 1:1 AI teacher.
Ello is an adaptive AI-powered reading coach for children in kindergarten through 3rd grade. It functions as a 1:1 read-along instructor that listens, teaches, and adapts to each child to build literacy skills while offering a decodable e-book library.
Ello uses Adaptive Learn™ technology to power a 1:1 reading coach in an app that provides decodable e-books matched to a child’s reading level and interests. It offers a 14-day free trial followed by monthly ($14.99) or annual ($139) subscription options. The product includes an exclusive decodable e-book library, an AI reading tutor, and progress features with quests comprising 4–6 books tailored to the child’s level, plus digital rewards and access for up to 3 reader profiles.
Who it’s for: Parents of children aged 4–8 in kindergarten to 3rd grade seeking individualized literacy support and an AI-powered reading coach for at-home practice.
Pricing plans and trial available; marketing emphasis on AI-powered tutoring and decodable library; mentions experts’ recommendations and media coverage (awards/endorsements) but no explicit funding/hiring data.
Elizabeth is a clinical psychologist who specializes in child development, child behavior, academic achievement, and working with children and families in community settings, schools, clinics, and hospitals. She has worked with children and families for over 15 years. She is the co-founder of Ello, the first AI reading coach for children that works with real books.
Tom was the head of impact and adoption programs at Google for Education. He is involved in various organizations promoting education, including GO Public schools and Education Reimagined. Tom also has experience as an intelligence officer, product manager, and EdTech company founder. He holds a first-class honors degree in maths and psychology from Cambridge University and an MBA and MA in Education from Stanford. He has won several awards, including the Lamor prize and the Queen's medal.
Before co-founding Ello, Catalin was a PhD candidate in AI at Stanford University where he worked on social good projects and built digital therapies for developmental conditions. He co-founded and sold two ML startups, DukaConnect and Sension. He has won the Lemelson-MIT Grad Student prize, Stanford's Kennedy Medal, Forbes' 30 under 30, and Business Insider's 40 under 40. He moved to California from Germany at age 17 and now lives in SF with his partner Ruby and dog Ed.
Formerly “Trustle” · why startups rename →

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