Gizmo, an AI-powered learning platform on a mission to make studying addictive, has raised £16 million in Series A funding.
CEO Petros Christodoulou co-founded Gizmo with two friends and fellow University of Cambridge graduates, Robin Jack (CTO), and Paul Evangelou (CPO).
Used by more than 13 million learners across 120+ countries, Gizmo is redefining how the world studies by transforming the mechanics of screen addiction into a force for personal growth.
The round was led by Shine Capital, with participation from Ada Ventures, Seek Investments, GSV, and NFX, who previously led their $3.5m seed round, and others. It will be used to expand Gizmo’s engineering and AI team to support growth in the US college market and accelerate product expansion to further serve students and deepen engagement across its global user base.
With billions of students globally now learning on smartphones, the experience of studying for 16- to 21-year-olds preparing for high-stakes exams has remained largely unchanged. Meanwhile, the platforms they spend hours on daily are constantly evolving, and have mastered the science of engagement: personalisation, instant feedback, social connection, and variable rewards.
Gizmo was founded on a bold idea: what if the same AI techniques that make social media endlessly scrollable could make learning endlessly engaging, creating a new kind of screen time?
“We’re not fighting for less screen time – we’re fighting for better screen time,” said Christodoulou. “People aren’t addicted to their phones; they’re addicted to progress, novelty, social connection, and reward.
“Gizmo redirects that energy toward something that builds their future. With this funding, we’re doubling down on making learning the most engaging and rewarding thing on your phone.”
Gizmo turns passive content into personalised, active learning experiences in seconds. Students upload their notes, documents, or web links, and Gizmo’s AI instantly generates customised study materials: interactive flashcards, adaptive quizzes, and gamified challenges tailored to each learner.
Built-in social features let friends study together, compete on leaderboards, and hold each other accountable — turning what was once a solitary grind into a shared, rewarding experience.
From high school students preparing for their GCSEs in the UK, to US university students studying for their degrees, all the way through to professionals in the Philippines upskilling in competitive industries, the platform has become a daily study habit for millions of learners globally.
“Gizmo has cracked something that’s eluded consumer learning for years: organic, student-driven engagement at massive scale,” said Ethan Daly, general partner at Shine Capital.
“Thirteen million users have chosen Gizmo to transform dense subjects into interactive, personalized, and high-reward experiences, driving real outcomes in a way students love.
“We see Gizmo as the defining learning platform for the next generation of students and lifelong learners, and we’re thrilled to be backing Petros, Robin, and Paul as they scale it globally.”
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