CampusAI, a Warsaw-based startup, has secured a record-breaking €9.2 million in pre-seed funding to enhance its AI-focused training platform and expand its reach to 10 new international markets. The funding round, spearheaded by Polish angel investor Maciej Zientara, aims to equip 200,000 new users with the skills necessary to collaborate effectively with artificial intelligence.
Major Investment for Global Expansion
The funding initiative led by Maciej Zientara, founder of Supernova Group and a partner at JR Holding, marks a significant milestone for CampusAI. Zientara’s investment portfolio is heavily inclined towards artificial intelligence, underscoring his strategic interest in AI innovation. His previous investments include AI Clearing, an AI-based SaaS company, which secured $14 million in Series A funding last year.
CampusAI was established early last year with a mission to immerse users in the AI ecosystem. The platform allows users to tailor their learning paths, select tools that match their personality, and improve their AI interaction skills. Its avatar-based, blended learning model emphasizes practical application, leading to completion rates up to ten times higher than traditional e-learning methods.
Addressing the Digital Skills Gap
Corporate clients can utilize the CampusAI platform to create comprehensive e-learning suites aimed at facilitating digital transformation. A recent survey by PwC highlighted a critical shortage of digital skills among CEOs, particularly in AI, while Boston Consulting Group found that 62% of top executives cite a lack of skills as a primary reason for dissatisfaction with their organization’s AI initiatives.
Aureliusz Górski, Co-founder and CEO of CampusAI, emphasized the importance of human capital in digital transformation. “Our Human+AI Collaboration model makes people more proactive, creative, and effective, allowing an organization’s leaders to engage their teams at all levels in their vision for transformation driven by generative AI,” Górski said.
A Vision for Inclusive AI Education
CampusAI’s educational approach builds on the work of Aleksandra Przegalińska, a visiting research fellow at Harvard University and an associate professor at Warsaw’s Kozminski University. She, along with Professor Dariusz Jemielniak, co-author of “Strategizing AI in Business and Education,” serve on the company’s scientific advisory board. Przegalińska’s image is also used as one of the avatars delivering the platform’s content.
Przegalińska supports CampusAI’s vision of making AI accessible and democratized. “First and foremost, artificial intelligence is a tool to be used by people, not the other way around. And secondly, AI is for everyone, which means it should be accessible and democratized,” she commented.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Global Reach
CampusAI leverages a sophisticated software engine originally developed for gaming to visualize its interactive content, creating custom learning environments. The company plans to launch its first international market within three months and expand to 10 countries by the end of the year.
Górski expressed confidence in the company’s global expansion, backed by Zientara’s investment and expertise. “After achieving success in the Polish market, we’re ready to expand globally with the backing of an investor who shares our vision,” he stated. Zientara, known for his ability to build international market value, brings more than just financial support to the table.
The Future of AI Education
Zientara is enthusiastic about the potential societal impact of CampusAI’s project. “CampusAI has developed a unique, scalable educational concept for AI, giving organizations a competitive edge in addressing the challenges of the digital revolution while respecting the principles of social responsibility,” he said. “Artificial intelligence will affect everyone’s job, which is why it’s so important to develop effective education that gives people the skills they need to thrive on the labor market of tomorrow.”
Conclusion
From my point of view, CampusAI’s initiative represents a pivotal moment in AI education. By addressing the critical digital skills gap and making AI training accessible globally, the startup is not only supporting corporate digital transformation but also democratizing AI knowledge. This approach ensures that as AI continues to shape the future of work, a broader spectrum of society will be equipped to engage with and benefit from these technological advancements.
