Former Google Engineers Launch AI Learning App for Children

Three former Google employees have launched an artificial intelligence-powered learning app called Sparkli, aiming to change how children learn about complex topics through interactive experiences rather than text-based explanations. The platform, announced in early 2025, targets children aged 5 to 12 and has already secured $5 million in pre-seed funding from Swiss venture firm Founderful.

Background

The founders—Lax Poojary, Lucie Marchand, and Myn Kang—developed Sparkli after recognizing a gap between children's natural curiosity and the limitations of current educational technology. Poojary and Kang previously worked together at Google's Area 120, the company's internal startup incubator, where they developed projects including a travel platform called Touring Bird and a video-based social commerce app called Shoploop. Poojary later worked in the shopping division at Google and YouTube, while Marchand served as CTO at Sparkli and also co-founded Shoploop.

The idea for Sparkli emerged from the founders' experiences as parents. When their children asked questions about everyday concepts, the founders attempted to use existing AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini to provide answers.

Kids, by definition, are very curious, and my son would ask me questions about how cars work or how it rains. My approach was to use ChatGPT or Gemini to explain these concepts to a six-year-old, but that is still a wall of text. What kids want is an interactive experience. This was our core process behind founding Sparkli. — Lax Poojary

The founders found that these tools typically delivered lengthy text explanations that failed to engage young learners. This observation led them to create a platform that combines artificial intelligence with interactive elements designed specifically for children.

Key Details

Sparkli uses generative AI to create customized learning experiences in response to a child's questions or interests. Rather than providing text-heavy responses, the platform generates what the company calls "interactive expeditions" that incorporate multiple media formats including visuals, voice, and playable simulations.

The platform is designed to replace passive screen time with active learning. According to educational research cited by the company, interactive learning improves knowledge retention by 40 to 75 percent compared to passive methods. Sparkli applies this principle by transforming abstract concepts into experiences where children can explore, make choices, and ask follow-up questions.

Development and Timeline

The company secured $5 million in pre-seed funding led by Founderful, marking the Swiss venture firm's first investment focused entirely on educational technology. The funding round also included participation from Arc Investors and a grant from Innosuisse, a Swiss government agency that supports innovation.

Sparkli has been working with private schools on pilot programs to test and refine the platform. The company initially planned a beta launch in January 2026 and aims to expand consumer access by mid-2026, allowing parents to download and use the app. Before opening to consumers, the startup intends to work primarily with schools globally.

The company prioritized educational expertise from the beginning by hiring a PhD holder in educational science and AI alongside an experienced classroom teacher to ensure the platform follows sound pedagogical principles.

Addressing Modern Education Gaps

Sparkli focuses on teaching children skills and topics that traditional education systems often overlook. The platform aims to help children learn about modern concepts including financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. The founders believe that existing education systems frequently lag behind in teaching these practical skills that children will need in their futures.

What This Means

The launch of Sparkli reflects a broader trend of technology companies attempting to apply artificial intelligence to education. Many major tech companies and startups are developing AI-powered learning tools, though many of these remain limited to text or voice interactions.

Sparkli's approach differs by emphasizing interactive, multimodal experiences. The company's focus on combining advanced technology with educational science positions it as an alternative to both traditional passive screen time and text-heavy AI chatbots.

Lukas Weder, Founderful's founding partner, highlighted the investment's rationale: the team's technical expertise combined with a clear market opportunity. As a parent himself, Weder recognized that traditional education misses teaching important modern skills, and he saw Sparkli as offering an immersive alternative.

The company's success will likely depend on how effectively it can work with schools to integrate the platform into existing educational structures while also building consumer appeal for parents seeking alternatives to conventional learning tools. The mid-2026 timeline for consumer availability will provide a test of whether families embrace the interactive approach the founders envision.