The One About Clement and Video Pro Learning
Plus, the EdTech Institute of Chicago passes the 150 member mark!
As of this writing, the EdTech Institute of Chicago is officially at 159 members. Wow! What a year it has been! Back in Sept. 2023, Dwight Hopkins and I met at Robust Coffee Lounge just off the University of Chicago’s main campus. I remember sitting there talking about how much potential Chicago had to become a global hub for EdTech innovation. I was half trying to convince Dwight and half trying to convince myself. But over time, I kept thinking, why not us? Why not here?
In true startup fashion, we decided to start small and iterate. Let’s just do one event and see who shows up. Fast forward to today and we have monthly meetups, virtual events, a vibrant WhatsApp chat, this wonderful newsletter, and (as of a few days ago) a new Slack workspace to further organize our community.
Through our shared networks we’ve started attracting attention from coastal investors and operators around the country. Yes, EdTech funding overall is way down compared to previous years. But this community—through your encouragement, generosity, and kindness—stands as a testament that EdTech innovation is as strong as ever and that there’s no better place for founders to build than right here in Chicago.
Thank you all for your continued support. Onward and upward!
Founder Spotlight
This month’s spotlight features Clement Townsend, Founder of Video Pro Learning, an interactive EdTech platform that motivates students to learn by creating video projects. Continue reading to learn more about Clement’s story!
Windy City EdTech (WCE): What does your company do? What big problem are you trying to solve?
Clement: Video Pro Learning addresses the critical issue of low student engagement in core subjects. For many students traditional assignments don’t resonate because they are not relevant to the world in which they live.
Video Pro Learning provides a supplemental platform that allows students to create videos as a way to show their understanding of core subjects. Students engage in creative, hands-on video projects that make learning more engaging and meaningful. This strategy helps students take ownership over their learning and see how it connects to their lives. Ultimately, the goal is to help students develop skills, confidence, and a love for learning. This will not only help them succeed in school, but more importantly succeed in life.
WCE: Can you share the story behind the founding of your company? What inspired you to start it?
Clement: Education runs deep in my family. Both of my parents were educators, and my sister followed the same path. From a young age, I understood the transformative power of learning and how it could change lives. After 17 years as a sports broadcaster, I realized my true calling wasn’t in front of the camera but in education, helping students reach their full potential.
For the past seven years, I’ve worked in Chicago schools teaching digital media, where I saw firsthand how students struggled to connect with traditional teaching methods. But everything changed when they were given the chance to be creative. Traditional assignments didn’t resonate, but when students had the opportunity to create videos, something they could relate to, their excitement and motivation soared. That’s when I knew this strategy needed to be applied to core subjects. However, the solution had to fit within teachers’ workflows and reinforce their curriculum.
Video Pro Learning was born out of my drive to help students believe in themselves and gain the skills to transform their futures and positively impact their communities.
WCE: How can our community help you?
Clement: We would appreciate any warm intros to elementary school administrators or teachers who are looking for innovative ways to motivate students and boost engagement and would be interested in using the platform at their school. We are also looking for product managers to help shape our future roadmap.
I can be reached at videoprolearning@gmail.com.
WCE: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in building your company?
Clement: Transitioning from teacher to founder has been a huge learning curve, but it’s been an exciting journey. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is not having a technical background. However, I’ve embraced that challenge head-on, and I’m proud of the product that we’ve built so far.
Another ongoing challenge has been ensuring the product truly meets the needs of educators. Customer conversations have been critical in this process. I constantly seek feedback from teachers and schools to refine and improve the platform, and I’m committed to creating something that provides tremendous value. While there’s always more to learn, I’m driven by the goal of making a lasting impact in education and am excited about the growth ahead.
WCE: What are you most proud of with your startup?
Clement: I’m most proud of the direct impact we’re having on students’ lives and seeing them rediscover a joy for learning. Before building Video Pro Learning, I worked as a digital media teacher and partnered with several educators to test this approach. Hearing teachers share stories of students, especially those who normally didn’t complete assignments, becoming excited and motivated to participate has been incredibly rewarding.
Watching students take pride in their work and light up as they showcase their projects has proven to me that this strategy works. I’ve seen it happen countless times. Now, I’m focused on scaling this impact so students across the country, and even the globe, can experience the same transformation. Our goal is to prepare students not just to succeed in school but to thrive in the world, empowered with skills and confidence to shape their own futures.
Give us a follow on LinkedIn here to stay updated on our progress and be part of our journey as we shape the future.
Check out our previous founder spotlights!
Upcoming Events
Founders & Funders: Decoding the VC Playbook
Oct. 7 at 12 pm CT
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EdTech Institute of Chicago x Future of Higher Education (FOHE) Fall Happy Hour
Nov. 7 from 5:30-7:30 pm CT
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Join us for a vibrant evening of connections and conversation at the joint social happy hour hosted by Future of Higher Education (FOHE) Chicago and the EdTech Institute of Chicago!