Key Deal Facts
We appeared on Shark Tank in May 2020, and were selected for the Techstars Austin accelerator program, where only 1-2% of applicants were admitted.
We conducted a pilot with 4 schools, reporting that 67% of students have improved by 34% after only 3 sessions with the robot. Following this success, we received a Department of Education grant to put our robots in 16 school districts serving 1000+ students.
Ed Tech spending on AI within the US is $800M as of 2018, and is estimated to grow to 6.1B by 2025, and worldwide consumer robot revenue will grow from $5.6 billion in 2018 to $19 billion in 2025.
Management Team / Advisory Board Bios
Laura Boccanfuso
Founder & CEO
Laura is founder and CEO of Van Robotics, a Columbia-based social robotics company that builds smart robot tutors. Laura received her PhD in Computer Science and Robotics from the University of South Carolina and later worked in the Yale University Child Study Center and Social Robotics Lab as a researcher. Her work focuses on developing software that drives how robots interact with people. At the beginning of her career, Laura built robots that helped kids with autism, developmental delays and ADHD. Most recently her work at Van Robotics creates fun robot tutors to accelerate learning for all different types of learners. Full-time employee.
Aditi Ramachandran
Chief Robot Technologist
Aditi Ramachandran is the Chief Robot Officer for Van Robotics where she leads development of robot software, lesson content, and AI initiatives. Prior to joining Van Robotics, Aditi completed a PhD in Computer Science from Yale University specializing in Human-Robot Interaction. In her research, Aditi specifically focused on building personalized robot tutoring interactions for children. A strong believer in providing accessible education for all children, Aditi is passionate about Van Robotics and their mission to build effective robot tutors that help students learn.
Wendy Wells
Chief Education Business Strategist
Wendy Wells has spent the last 20 years creating systematic change by pioneering the way for integrating technology in K-20 education, the business arena, and governmental agencies. Wendy has taught, coached, and facilitated many educators and administrative leaders on effective technology integration to improve teaching and student learning. She is currently the Chief of Education Business Strategy, providing strategic guidance on support for long-term, successful educational technology integration in schools and forging new relationships with educational leaders looking to accelerate learning for their students. Full-time employee.
Evan Welchman
Senior Systems Architect
Evan earned a PhD in physics from Wake Forest University in 2017, where he studied computational materials modeling design, focusing on hydrogen storage materials. After graduating, he transitioned to the university staff as a Linux Systems Administrator. Evan joined team Van in 2019 and has been involved as a systems architect and developer, designing, building, and maintaining the company's network and computing systems, on robots and in the cloud.
Amrita Krishnaraj
Social Intelligence Lead
Amrita Krishnaraj is the Social Intelligence Lead for Van Robotics where she focuses on development of socio-behavioral software parts for ABii. Further, she works on sensor technology to collect user information during interactions and factors contributing to readiness to learn. Prior to joining Van Robotics, Amrita completed Masters in Robotics from Johns Hopkins University specializing in Human-Robot Interaction. Amrita’s research focus was robot assisted detection of user’s mental state and intervention. Amrita is passionate about leveraging robot technology to make personalized learning experience and gains accessible to all.
Kevin Nisbet
Head of Product Development
Kevin received his MBA with a focus on International Marketing and Finance from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He has a strong background in business development with a demonstrated history of working in the apparel and fashion industry. Skilled in Retail, Textiles, Apparel, and Forecasting, who now leads operations, sourcing, manufacturing for Van Robotics as a full-time contractor.
Thorya Aadland
Graphics Design Lead
Thorya specializes in front-end web development, UI Design, digital art, and human-computer interaction. Her current role at Van Robotics as a Graphics Design Lead includes full-stack development of front-end on screen character development and implementation as well as back-end support for integration with a connect robot. Thorya's work merges the arts and sciences in all development for creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing interfaces. Full-time employee.
Bill Barfield
Board member
Mr. Barfield served four years in the U.S. Air Force. Bill has a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and Masters in Business. Mr. Barfield began his career in March, 1979, as a Budget Analyst in the health areas of the Department of Health and Environmental Control. In July, 1985, became the Budget Director for the Department of Mental Retardation. DMR later became the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs and was Deputy Director for Maternity and Child Health Program Divisions at the Department of Health and Environmental Control for two years. In February, 1994, became the Deputy State Director for Fiscal Management at the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. Mr. Barfield retired as the Deputy State Director for Administration at the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs in June 2009.Since the fall of 2009, Mr. Barfield has been providing professional consulting regarding management, financial, and governmental matters based on three decades' experience in these areas of expertise. In April 2016 became the Chief Financial Officer of Phi Life Sciences, LLC.
