ImpactAlpha, October 18 — New York-based Acelero launched in 2001 to work with local communities to improve early childhood education outcomes for low-income students aged up to five in the U.S.
The early childhood education platform has raised an undisclosed amount from BlackRock Impact Opportunities Fund, Builders Fund to support future growth and provide services to more low-income children and families.
“Acelero’s strong fundamentals and leading technology-enabled services platform, along with its vision to eliminate historical biases and systemic inequities in the U.S. education system, makes the company a compelling investment for our clients,” said BlackRock’s Aarthi Sowrirajan.
Through Accelero’s Head Start and other early childhood learning programs, parents promise to read to their children, engage them in dialogues and establish consistent family routines. Acelero says it has reached more than 150,000 children and their families in 28 states.
Bridging the gap
BlackRock’s Aarthi Sowrirajan, Builders Fund’s Katharine Hawthorne and A-Street’s Mora Segal will join Acelero’s board of directors. Early backers in Acelero include W.K. Kellogg Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation and Boston Community Capital, now called BlueHub Capital.
