A Birmingham startup founded by local entrepreneurs was tapped for a California-based accelerator.
Etch is an EdTech startup co-founded by Birmingham local Sean Haskell and Alabama native Taylor Larsen, and it was picked to be part of the sixth cohort of the USC Rossier School of Education's EdTech Accelerator.
Haskell said the team has been conducting market validation and ideation for about two years, and the co-founders jumped in full time earlier this year. Etch was chosen for the accelerator for its unique approach to building a learning and skill retention ecosystem for education, according to a news release.
USC Rossier School of Education Dean Pedro Noguera said the cohort is a talented group, working to "address pressing educational challenges and improve educational access, equity and outcomes for people all over the world."
And Haskell said he is grateful for the support of the Birmingham startup ecosystem.
"Mentors that we’ve met through Alabama Launchpad and other local ecosystem events have been critical to getting us ready to take advantage of opportunities like the USC EdTech accelerator,” he said. "As Alabama natives, it's our goal to not only flip the narrative on education in Alabama, but to reverse some of the trends that lead to the reinforcement of that narrative. A personalized learning and skill retention infrastructure is crucial for the future of education and we’re excited to build it right here in Birmingham.”
