OpenStax

What OpenStax does

OpenStax is a nonprofit initiative of William Marsh Rice University that operates as the world's largest publisher of free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed educational resources. Its core product is a library of customizable digital textbooks spanning Business, College Success, Computer Science, Humanities, Math, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences, available free online as web views and PDFs, with affordable print copies fulfilled through partner Kendall Hunt. The platform is distributed directly via openstax.org and reaches 72% of U.S. colleges, 10,000 K12 schools, and 169 countries, with 6.4 million learners served in AY25 and 43.4 million all-time.

The technology stack includes LTI-based integrations with all major LMS platforms (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L/Brightspace, Schoology), an integrated code runner for the Python textbook, an errata tool for transparent content correction, and the SafeInsights research infrastructure for large-scale education data. Layered on the free base are two monetized offerings: OpenStax Assignable, an LMS-integrated assignment and assessment tool priced at $15 per student per semester with auto-grading and grade sync (transitioned to paid in 2025), and OpenStax Kinetic, an AI-supported digital learning tool developed in partnership with Microsoft and Google. The K12 product line and the RAISE Algebra 1 curriculum (approved by the Texas State Board of Education) extend the same content model into secondary education.

The business model is hybrid and mission-driven. The free textbook base is sustained by philanthropic funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Arnold Ventures, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Schmidt Futures, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Education, augmented by a $90M NSF-led funding event in April 2024. Direct revenue comes from OpenStax Assignable subscriptions, mission support fees paid by for-profit "Allies" that build complementary resources, and print copy sales through Kendall Hunt. OpenStax is governed as a 501(c)(3) under Rice University (Tax ID 74-1109620) and is headquartered in Houston, TX with 51–100 employees.

Name

OpenStax

Legal name

OpenStax (a part of William Marsh Rice University)

Website

https://openstax.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

OpenStax is a Rice University nonprofit that publishes free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed digital textbooks for higher education and K12, reaching 6.4 million learners annually across 169 countries via its website, LMS-integrated tools, and print partner Kendall Hunt.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Open Educational Resources / Digital Textbook Publishing

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Software Publishers (5132)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Open Textbooks (Open-licensed core texts) (EDAGAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Open Homework Systems & OER-Integrated Courseware (EDAGAJAH), Open Ancillaries & Instructor Resources (slides, test banks, solutions) (EDAGAJAC), Open Lesson Plans & Teaching Units (K–12) (EDAGAJAI), Open Educational Resources (OER) & Open Access Academic Publishing (MPAJABAG)

Keywords

• Open educational resources
• Digital textbooks publishing
• Higher education content
• K12 learning materials
• LMS-integrated assignments

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Funding: OpenStax is a nonprofit initiative at Rice University supported by foundations, corporations, and individual donors. Funding comes from organizations like Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Arnold Ventures, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Hewlett Foundation, and others.
2. OpenStax Assignable Sales: The Assignable tool generates revenue at $15 per student per semester. Students receive a two-week free trial. Institutions can purchase site licenses or participate in inclusive/equitable access programs.
3. Mission Support Fees from Allies: OpenStax partners with for-profit companies (referred to as Allies) that provide extra optional instructional resources aligned with OpenStax textbooks. These companies pay mission support fees for using the content.
4. Print Copy Sales (Kendall Hunt): Print copies are sold through official print partner Kendall Hunt at affordable pricing. Revenue supports reinvestment in the library.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OpenStax publishes free, peer-reviewed, openly licensed digital textbooks across subjects including Business, College Success, Computer Science, Humanities, Math, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences for higher education and K12. It also offers OpenStax Assignable, a paid LMS-integrated tool that layers the textbooks with auto-graded reinforcement questions, cumulative practice, and video content, and conducts education research through the SafeInsights infrastructure.

Product overview

OpenStax is a nonprofit educational initiative at Rice University that operates as a platform-plus-products organization. Its core offering is a free library of peer-reviewed, openly licensed textbooks spanning Business, College Success, Computer Science, Humanities, Math, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences. These free digital textbooks form the foundation of the platform. Building on this, OpenStax offers OpenStax Assignable as a paid add-on that integrates directly into LMS platforms (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L/Brightspace, Schoology), layering the free textbooks with auto-graded reinforcement questions, cumulative practice, and video content. Additional products include OpenStax Kinetic (AI-supported learning), SafeInsights (education research infrastructure), and RAISE (K12 Algebra curriculum). The portfolio ranges from completely free resources to low-cost paid tools ($15/student/semester for Assignable), unified by the mission to make education accessible.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OpenStax Assignable: A tool that allows instructors to build customized assignments directly in their Learning Management Systems with auto-grading, LMS grade sync, and built-in feedback.
• RAISE (Rice Algebra Initiative for Success and Equity)
• SafeInsights

Products and services

• OpenStax Free Textbooks A library of peer-reviewed, openly licensed textbooks available free online for college and K12 students and instructors across Business, College Success, Computer Science, Humanities, Math, Nursing, Science, and Social Sciences. Books are customizable and include instructor resources like LMS integration, lecture slides, and test banks.
• OpenStax Assignable A paid LMS-integrated assignment and assessment tool that layers OpenStax textbooks with auto-graded reinforcement questions, cumulative practice, video content, flashcards, and researcher profiles. Instructors build customized assignments directly in their LMS (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L/Brightspace, Schoology) with auto-grading and grade sync; students pay $15 per semester.
• OpenStax Kinetic
• OpenStax K12 OpenStax's K12 product line offering free, high-quality K12 textbooks and resources aligned to AP, TEKS, and state standards at no cost to schools, students, or teachers.
• SafeInsights The nation's infrastructure for education research, of which OpenStax is the lead partner, enabling large-scale data collection and analysis of educational outcomes and learning patterns for researchers.
• RAISE (Rice Algebra Initiative for Success and Equity) Rice Algebra Initiative for Success and Equity — OpenStax's Algebra 1 curriculum deployed primarily in middle school classrooms, approved by the Texas State Board of Education.

Quantifiable outcome

• $3.4 billion all-time savings to students, including $450 million in AY25
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SafeInsightscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafeInsights is led by OpenStax as the nation's infrastructure for education research, enabling large-scale analysis of educational outcomes and learning data.
• MicrosoftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft partnered with OpenStax for AI-enhanced learning in the classroom, providing technology collaboration for AI-supported digital learning tools.
• Google (Google Inc.)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle partnered with OpenStax through Google's Gemini apps integration, providing AI-enhanced access to OpenStax content.
• Kendall HuntcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKendall Hunt is the official print partner for OpenStax, fulfilling all print copy orders with fast delivery (within 10 days) and affordable pricing.
• Rice UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOpenStax is a nonprofit initiative of William Marsh Rice University (501(c)(3)), providing institutional backing and academic credibility.
• CheggminorOthersInnovative corporation committed to low-cost high-quality educational resources.
• HP Inc.minorOthersInnovative corporation supporting OpenStax's mission.
• LMS Platforms (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L, Schoology)coreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration partnerships enabling OpenStax Assignable to work within major learning management systems.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• CK-12 Foundation: Nonprofit publisher of free, customizable K-12 OER textbooks,FlexBooks, and adaptive practice. Directly comparable in OER textbook publishing for K12 and post-secondary, with similar customizable content and free core offering.
• Saylor Academy: Nonprofit offering free, self-paced college-level courses built on OER, including textbooks. Comparable as a free OER-based higher-ed content provider serving the same cost-conscious student segment.
• Khan Academy: Nonprofit provider of free educational content (videos, exercises, lessons) for K12 and higher-ed learners with a similar mission of open access. Highly comparable in mission, freemium model, and broad learner base, though Khan leans short-form video/AI tutoring vs. OpenStax's textbook-centric approach.
• OER Commons: Nonprofit public digital library of open educational resources for K12 and higher-ed. Comparable as a discovery and distribution platform for OER textbooks, lesson plans, and ancillaries.
• Lumen Learning: Commercial OER courseware provider that wraps open content with LMS-integrated homework, analytics, and instructor support. Closely comparable to OpenStax Assignable, with a paid courseware model layered on top of OER.

Others

• Coursera: Online learning platform partnering with universities to offer courses and credentials. Adjacent in higher-ed digital learning but not a textbook substitute; comparable in mission-driven online learning reach and institutional partnerships.

Broad incumbents

• McGraw-Hill Education: Major commercial educational publisher with digital textbooks, Connect, and ALEKS adaptive learning. Direct competitor in introductory college courses (the heart of OpenStax's catalog) but a broad incumbent with K-12, higher-ed, and professional offerings.
• Chegg: Publicly traded student support platform offering textbook rentals, study help, and AI tutoring. Listed as a partner/supportive organization and a broader incumbent in low-cost and supplementary educational resources, with a hybrid free/paid model.
• Pearson: Largest global educational publisher with digital textbooks, MyLab, and inclusive-access bundles. Competes with OpenStax for higher-ed courseware adoption and inclusive-access contracts but as a broad commercial incumbent with a much larger portfolio.
• Cengage Group: Educational publisher operating Cengage, ed2go, and Infosec, with growing Cengage Unlimited subscription and inclusive-access programs. Competitor in college textbook and courseware with a subscription-first commercial model that contrasts with OpenStax's free approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/OpenStax
• Facebookfacebook.com/OpenStaxCollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1568350

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about OpenStax