Grindstone Ventures led undisclosed funding secured by SA ed-tech startup Play Sense

An undisclosed funding round from Grindstone Ventures has been secured by Play Sense in South Africa, an independent pre-school that provides play-based learning through its online micro-schools platform plaDorm. Play Sense is gearing up for growth.

Play Sense, a program created by Meg Faure and Lara Schoenfeld, combines different play styles to help toddlers and preschoolers develop their fundamental skills and get ready for school. With the help of its micro-school model, teachers can establish their own playschools at their residences or in a location provided by a member family.

A “business in a box,” the franchise program provides entrepreneurs with thorough training, a Play Kit, and administrative, operational, marketing, and teacher support. Faure claimed that Play Sense offers a highly scalable and affordable model for progressive preschool education.

“This empowers women who are passionate about early childhood to become successful entrepreneurs and create lasting impact in their communities – both through education and economic empowerment,” she said.

The funding from Grindstone Ventures, which invests in businesses with strong intellectual property and exponential growth potential, will help Play Sense improve its franchise model and accelerate growth. Since the company’s founding, over 1,200 kids have benefited from play-based learning.

“We are excited to have Play Sense join our portfolio of investee companies, as they are reimagining early child education by offering a secure bridge between home and pre-school, creating an environment that supports collaboration, creativity, self-regulation, and adaptability. Perfect ingredients to spark a desire for lifelong learning in future generations,” she said.