Will Crowdfunding Save Edshelf?

Will Crowdfunding Save Edshelf?

Jul 25, 2014

EDSHELF UPDATE: When edshelf announced in early July that it was closing shop, many educators took to Twitter to voice their support, thanks in part to Alicia Leonard's #saveedshelf campaign. At the time, Leonard asked teachers to submit a product review for edshelf's online directory of edtech tools--a commitment which, despite its earnest intentions, would not have directly helped the startup's financial situation. But "the overwhelming enthusiasm and encouragement of these incredibly generous educators has convinced me to keep going," CEO Mike Lee wrote in his Kickstarter campaign, launched on July 25.

Lee is looking to raise $30,000 to keep edshelf running for at least another year. "I knew I couldn't live with myself if I didn't try this after seeing all the outpouring of support from the #saveedshelf campaign," he told EdSurge in an email. This time, Lee says finding a sustainable business model will be a "priority."

(At the time of writing, the project has over $2,100 from 32 backers.)

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