New School VC

NewSchools Venture Fund is a venture philanthropy firm dedicated to transforming public education in the United States. The organization invests in early-stage education innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing solutions to improve K-12 education. Their core investment areas include fostering innovative schools, developing K-8 reading and math solutions, reimagining teaching through new roles and the strategic use of artificial intelligence, and creating solutions specifically designed for students with learning differences. The firm's overarching goal is to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for all students, with a particular focus on those from underserved communities.

NewSchools Venture Fund was established in 1998 by social entrepreneur Kim Smith and prominent venture capitalists John Doerr and Brook Byers. The founders were inspired by the transformative power of entrepreneurship in other sectors, particularly technology, and sought to apply a similar venture-capital model to public education. Their vision was to provide crucial early-stage capital and strategic, hands-on support to leaders and organizations committed to reimagining and improving the education system across the nation.

The firm has a significant track record, having invested over $400 million in early-stage education innovators and impacting 60% of the nation's public school students. In 2025 alone, NewSchools announced more than $23 million in new investments and reinvestments across over 80 ventures. Historically, their portfolio has included support for charter operators such as Aspire, Alliance, Brooke, Match, North Star, and Rocketship. They also back social innovators creating new curricula, computer applications, and educational services, and have supported organizations like New Leaders, which focuses on training principals.

The team at NewSchools Venture Fund brings diverse expertise to its mission. Frances Messano serves as the Chief Executive Officer, leveraging her extensive background in education strategy and leadership, including previous roles at Teach for America and Monitor Institute. The firm's co-founders, Kim Smith, John Doerr, and Brook Byers, contributed significant experience from both social entrepreneurship and the venture capital world. The team is committed to identifying and supporting mission-driven innovators, fostering diverse and capable teams, and building a collaborative community to drive lasting impact in education.