The Future of Learning: Wild Zebra’s AI Tutor Gains Momentum with $2M Investment

August 27, 2025
Wild Zebra startup

At IGF, we are proud to support innovative startups that bring their cool ideas to life. Today, we’re also going to take a look at an interesting startup called Wild Zebra. Based in Seattle, the startup transforms education through AI tutoring. Founded by edtech expert Edan Shahar and AI veteran Erik Selberg, the Wild Zebra startup is going to revolutionize traditional education. They offer an AI tutor that is all about adaptivity for students, as it offers more than just answers. It adapts to students and guides them through lessons with Socratic-style talks, making studying intriguing and engaging.

This AI tutor differs from traditional AIs. It encourages reflection and reasoning while tailoring questions to their interests, such as sports or music. This approach helps engage learners and build a deeper understanding of subjects like math and reading comprehension.

Early Success and Growing Impact

Though still operating in stealth mode, Wild Zebra has already reached over 6,000 students across four schools. They tested pilot programs and shared amazing feedback. Moreover, teachers noticed that students became more focused and motivated when using an AI tutor.

The AI tutor program doesn’t stop at what’s been achieved. The system is constantly updating and developing new individual profiles for learners, adjusting the level of challenge. Such an approach makes students’ support a part of the education system. This helps students who need extra help and those who are already ready for an advanced level.

Strategic Growth with $2M Funding

Recently, Wild Zebra startup secured $2 million in funding to expand its school partnerships and prepare for a broader rollout, including a direct-to-consumer version for at-home learning. How do they protect students’ data, you might ask? They use privacy-conscious architecture, leveraging multiple AI models, consequently protecting the data.

Shahar, the startup’s CEO, said the startup is a watershed moment in his own journey, as well. 

“It does feel like everything I’ve worked on in my life has led to this point — building companies, working in education, being a student myself,” he said. “I don’t know if a lot of people get that visceral feeling, but I’m getting it right now, and it’s awesome.”

The Wild Zebra startup is making the education system more adaptive and interesting for students. Moreover, they combine an expert team and modern AI technologies in their platform, which makes their startup outstanding. At IGF, we’re excited to see such startups help bring powerful learning tools to more students worldwide. Contact us to bring your ideas to life.