Showbie
Showbie is a privately held Canadian K-12 learning platform, iPad-optimized, that consolidates instruction, feedback, assessment, and communication for teachers, students, schools, and districts worldwide via a subscription-based SaaS model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersEdmonton, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Showbie does
Showbie Inc. is a privately held Canadian K-12 education software company founded in 2012 in Edmonton, Alberta by Colin Bramm (CEO) and Roy Pombeiro (CTO). The company operates a pedagogy-first, iPad-optimized learning platform that consolidates instruction, feedback, assessment, independent practice, and communication into a single workflow for teachers, students, school leaders, and parents. Its product is anchored on the proprietary "DNA of Learning®" framework and integrates multimodal submission formats (digital ink, voice notes, video, document scanning), a Showbie Assessments module (rebuilt from the 2018 Socrative acquisition), an Admin Dashboard with pedagogically-aligned analytics, and a 2025-era suite of teacher-facing AI features (AI Feedback Assistant, AI Insights, AI Question Generation) built on OpenAI.
The platform is delivered as a web application and an iOS app distributed via the Apple App Store and Google Play, hosted on AWS across two non-interoperable regional data centres (Ashburn, Virginia for global traffic; Stockholm, Sweden for EEA customers launched July 2025). Showbie monetizes primarily through subscription licensing (Pro teacher, School and District site licenses) on an annual billing cadence, supplemented by freemium individual teacher accounts that funnel into paid Pro subscriptions and by separately contracted professional services for onboarding and training. Distribution combines direct enterprise sales to schools and multi-academy trusts, a global reseller network spanning Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, the UK, the UAE, and Hong Kong, and self-serve sign-up through the web app and Apple/Google app stores. Showbie reports usage by millions of educators and students across 188 countries since inception, with a remote-first team of approximately 51–100 employees.
Showbie firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Showbie
- Legal name
- Showbie Inc.
- Website
- https://showbie.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Showbie is a privately held Canadian K-12 learning platform, iPad-optimized, that consolidates instruction, feedback, assessment, and communication for teachers, students, schools, and districts worldwide via a subscription-based SaaS model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Showbie industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Educational Software
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Survey, Formative Assessment & Classroom Response (Quizzes/Polls) Tools (EDAFADAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Assessments, Quizzes & Learning Analytics Tools (MPACALAK)
Keywords
Where Showbie is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Edmonton
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Showbie business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Subscription Licensing (Pro / School / District): Recurring subscription revenue from school and district licenses plus individual Pro teacher subscriptions; invoiced periodically with continued access contingent on timely payment. Refunds limited to confirmed material breach by Showbie, capped at twelve (12) months of base license fees.
- Freemium / Limited-Use Trial: Free, limited-use trial accounts allow individual teachers to use Showbie within their own educational institutions — used as a top-of-funnel conversion path to paid Pro and school/district subscriptions.
- Professional Services & Training: Onboarding, training, and professional learning offerings led by experienced educators — tailored to school improvement goals; described as available through separate agreements with Showbie in addition to base subscriptions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | School / District Site License |
| Subscription | Annual | Pro Individual Teacher Subscription |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free / Limited-Use Teacher Trial |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Showbie product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Showbie is a pedagogy-first K-12 learning platform optimized for iPad that consolidates instruction, feedback, assessment, independent practice, and family communication into a single classroom workflow. The platform is anchored by the proprietary DNA of Learning® framework and includes the Showbie Assessments module (originally Socrative, acquired 2018), teacher-facing AI features (AI Feedback Assistant, AI Insights, AI Question Generation) powered by OpenAI, and the Showbie Certified Educator professional learning program. It is sold primarily through subscription licenses to schools and districts, with a freemium entry point for individual teachers.
Product overview
Showbie is a single, unified K-12 learning platform optimised for iPad, organised as a core platform with several integrated modules and add-on capabilities rather than as a portfolio of separate products. The core Showbie platform consolidates instruction, feedback, assessment, independent practice, and communication for teachers, students, school leaders, and families. Built into the platform are modules including Showbie Assessments (originally the Socrative product, acquired in 2018), the Showbie Gradebook, the Admin Dashboard, Class Registration with Class/Group/Parent Codes, Voice Notes, Portfolios, Timers, Quick Questions, and the experimental Showbie Labs channel. Layered on top of this core is the Showbie AI suite of add-on features — AI Question Generation inside Assessments, the Feedback Assistant, and Results Insights (AI Insights) — powered by OpenAI as a sub-processor and available on eligible Pro plans. Adjacent to the platform, Showbie also offers the Showbie Certified Educator (SCE) professional learning program delivered via Thinkific.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Showbie Assessments: The assessment and student response feature of the platform, previously known as Socrative, used for quizzes, polls, and assessment workflows.
Products and services
- Showbie Core K-12 Learning Platform Pedagogy-first K-12 learning platform optimized for iPad that consolidates instruction, feedback, assessment, independent practice, and communication for teachers, students, school leaders, and families, anchored by the DNA of Learning® framework and sold as Pro, school, or district subscriptions.
- Showbie Assessments (formerly Socrative) Standalone assessment and student-response module acquired from Socrative in 2018, used by teachers to assign, collect, and review student work and assess understanding through quizzes and polls with features such as timers, in-line feedback, image questions, and live results dashboards.
- Showbie Certified Educator (SCE) Program Free, self-directed online professional learning program hosted on Thinkific that trains educators on research-backed Showbie workflows, combining tutorial videos, downloadable resources, quizzes, and a certificate of completion that counts toward CPD.
Quantifiable outcome
- A–B grades in A-Level Law rose from 27% to 47% during a key assessment window after introducing high-quality verbal feedback via Showbie (Goldsmith Primary Academy / Windsor Academy Trust).
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Showbie
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Showbie technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
AI capability7 records
Feature9 records
Showbie partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
37 partnerships are on record, tiered regional, minor, flagship (platform-defining), core, flagship (core infrastructure), flagship (ai feature) and minor (mentioned in industry coverage).
- ATEA NorwayregionalNorway-based channel partner and reseller supporting Showbie deployments to single schools and large-scale district digital transformation programs.
- ATEA SwedenregionalSweden-based channel partner and reseller supporting Showbie deployments to Swedish schools and districts.
- ATEA FinlandregionalFinland-based channel partner and reseller supporting Showbie deployments to Finnish schools and districts.
- ATEA DenmarkregionalDenmark-based channel partner and reseller supporting Showbie deployments to Danish schools and districts.
- EpleheusetminorNorway-based partner (eplehuset.no) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- Abero TechnologiesminorFinland-based partner (abero.fi) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- C&C Sweden (CEC)regionalSweden-based channel partner and reseller supporting Showbie deployments to Swedish schools and districts (se.cec.com).
- C&C Italy (CEC)regionalItaly-based channel partner and reseller supporting Showbie deployments to Italian schools and districts (cec.com).
- Gear EducationminorChannel partner and reseller supporting Showbie deployments to schools (geareducation.com).
- iStrategyregionalPortugal-based partner (istrategy.pt) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- RossellimacregionalSpain-based partner (rossellimac.es) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- MDS UAEregionalUAE-based partner (mds.ae) listed in the Showbie partner directory; supports deployment in Middle East.
- JTRS UAEregionalUAE-based partner (jtrs.ae) listed in the Showbie partner directory; supports deployment in Middle East.
- ETC Educational Technology ConnectionregionalHong Kong-based partner offering Showbie Complete via etchk shop, supporting Showbie deployments in APAC.
- CANCOMregionalGermany-based channel partner and reseller (cancom.de) supporting Showbie deployments in German-speaking markets.
- SyncminorUK-based partner (wearesync.co.uk) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- KRCSregionalUK-based Apple reseller and channel partner (krcs.co.uk) supporting Showbie deployments in UK schools.
- XMAregionalUK-based Apple reseller and channel partner (xma.co.uk) supporting Showbie deployments in UK schools.
- AlbionminorUK-based partner (albion.co.uk) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- AcademiaminorUK-based partner (academia.co.uk) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- Jigsaw24regionalUK-based Apple reseller and channel partner (jigsaw24.com) supporting Showbie deployments in UK schools.
- MCC DigitalminorUK-based partner (mccdigital.com) listed in the Showbie partner directory.
- Apple Inc.flagship (platform-defining)Showbie is built specifically for iPad with deep Apple platform integration; Apple, Apple logo, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries; App Store is a service mark. The iOS app is distributed via the Apple App Store under Apple Terms of Service; Apple is a third-party beneficiary of Showbie's Terms of Use. Showbie supports and complements native iPadOS accessibility features (VoiceOver, Speak Screen, Magnifier, Switch Control).
- Google LLCcoreShowbie supports Google SSO for teacher and student sign-in, works alongside Google Workspace productivity tools, and is distributed via Google Play; Google is a third-party beneficiary of Showbie's Terms of Use for app store distribution.
- Microsoft CorporationcoreShowbie supports Microsoft SSO for teacher and student sign-in and works alongside Microsoft productivity suites; Showbie enhances teaching/learning while Microsoft Teams supports staff collaboration.
- Jamf (and other MDM providers: Airwatch, Mosyle Manager)coreShowbie supports Mobile Device Management (MDM) configuration on iOS — including via Jamf, Airwatch, and Mosyle — enabling disable-teacher-signup, restrict-login-methods, profile-editing restrictions, and forced external link opening for auditable browsing.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)flagship (core infrastructure)AWS hosts all data and content stored in Showbie (US and Sweden regions) and provides CloudFront CDN for application performance; relied upon as a sub-processor with data transfer mechanisms including EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and Standard Contractual Clauses.
- OpenAI (API)flagship (ai feature)OpenAI provides the large language model underlying Showbie's AI Feedback Assistant and AI Insights features; data is held for up to 30 days for abuse monitoring and not used for further training; GDPR compliant, ISO27001/SOC 2/SOC 3 certified.
- IntercomcoreIntercom provides product notifications, marketing outreach, and technical support delivery; processes Teacher PII but no student PII except when students contact support directly.
- Peaberry Software (Customer.io)corePeaberry Software Inc. operates Customer.io, the notification service Showbie uses to send product notifications and business-critical communications to users.
- Omni AnalyticscoreOmni Analytics is the business intelligence platform used by Showbie for internal analytics, operational reporting, analytics dashboards, and embedded analytics functionality; processing occurs in the EU.
- Twilio (Segment.io)coreTwilio Inc. operates Segment.io, used by Showbie for collection and transmission of relevant metadata to enable application functionality.
- Functional Software (Sentry)coreFunctional Software Inc. operates Sentry, used by Showbie for application error monitoring to identify application problems and troubleshoot issues.
- AmplitudecoreAmplitude is used by Showbie as an analytics platform to collect and analyze application event metadata for user behaviour insights and product improvement.
- EEF (Education Endowment Foundation)minorShowbie references the EEF 'Check and Adapt' approach in its teaching and learning resources, indicating alignment/co-marketing with the Education Endowment Foundation's research-based practice.
- Instructure Holdings, Inc.minor (mentioned in industry coverage)Instructure Holdings, Inc. is mentioned alongside Google LLC, Microsoft Corporation, and other major companies as an active player in the student behavior analytics market, not as a Showbie partner.
- Level AccessminorLevel Access is an industry-leading digital accessibility partner that performs regular audits of Showbie's platform for WCAG 2.2 AA compliance and guides accessibility improvements.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Showbie competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Canvas (Instructure): Canvas by Instructure is a leading K-12 and higher-ed LMS used by many of the same school districts as Showbie. Showbie documents a Canvas integration FAQ for joint assessment workflows, making Canvas a directly adjacent incumbent with overlapping procurement competition.
- Google Classroom: Google Classroom is bundled free with Google Workspace for Education and is the dominant assignment/discussion workflow tool in K-12. Showbie supports Google SSO and competes for the same teacher workflow minutes, though Google Classroom is free while Showbie is paid.
- Schoology (PowerSchool): Schoology, owned by PowerSchool, is a K-12 LMS used by many US districts. It overlaps with Showbie's assignment, assessment, and grading workflows and competes for district procurement dollars, but at a much larger scale and broader scope.
- Microsoft Teams for Education: Microsoft Teams for Education is a free, bundled collaboration and classroom tool that competes with Showbie for instructional workflow time. Showbie supports Microsoft SSO and explicitly positions as complementary to Teams for staff collaboration while owning pedagogy-first workflows.
Emerging players
- Edmodo: Edmodo is a K-12-focused communication and classroom management platform with overlap to Showbie's teacher/student/parent communication and assignment distribution use cases, though with a smaller installed base than the leading incumbents.
- Socratic (by Google) / Quizlet: Quizlet is a widely adopted K-12 and higher-ed study, flashcard, and assessment tool. It overlaps with Showbie's formative assessment and AI question generation use cases, particularly for self-paced practice.
Direct peers
- Kahoot!: Kahoot! is a game-based learning and formative assessment platform used heavily in K-12 classrooms. It directly competes with Showbie Assessments (formerly Socrative) for the quiz/poll/assessment use case.
- Nearpod: Nearpod is a K-12 engagement and assessment platform offering interactive lessons, real-time formative assessment, and VR. It overlaps with Showbie Assessments and Showbie's instructional workflow positioning for K-12 teachers and districts.
- Seesaw: Seesaw is a K-12 student portfolio and family communication app, optimized for iPad and tablets, very similar in target customer (K-12 teachers, students, parents) and use case to Showbie. Both sell to schools/districts and offer multimodal student submissions and parent visibility.
- ClassDojo: ClassDojo is a K-12 classroom communication, portfolio, and behavior management platform widely used in primary schools. It targets the same teacher/student/parent triad as Showbie with a freemium model, competing for K-12 instructional workflow mindshare.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Showbie social profiles
Digital presenceShowbie compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Showbie financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Showbie leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Showbie subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Showbie funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds8 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Showbie M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Showbie
What does Showbie do?
Showbie is a pedagogy-first K-12 learning platform optimized for iPad that consolidates instruction, feedback, assessment, independent practice, and family communication into a single classroom workflow. The platform is anchored by the proprietary DNA of Learning® framework and includes the Showbie Assessments module (originally Socrative, acquired 2018), teacher-facing AI features (AI Feedback Assistant, AI Insights, AI Question Generation) powered by OpenAI, and the Showbie Certified Educator professional learning program. It is sold primarily through subscription licenses to schools and districts, with a freemium entry point for individual teachers.
Is Showbie a public or private company?
Showbie is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Showbie founded?
Showbie was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Showbie based?
Showbie is headquartered in Edmonton, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Showbie make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Subscription Licensing (Pro / School / District) is the primary driver. The others are freemium / Limited-Use Trial and professional Services & Training.
Who are Showbie's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Canvas (Instructure), Google Classroom, Schoology (PowerSchool) and Microsoft Teams for Education. Emerging players are Edmodo and Socratic (by Google) / Quizlet. Direct peers are Kahoot!, Nearpod, Seesaw and ClassDojo.
Does Showbie have an API?
No public API is recorded for Showbie.
What industry is Showbie in?
Showbie's product category is K-12 Educational Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAFADAN, Survey, Formative Assessment & Classroom Response (Quizzes/Polls) Tools, with a secondary code of MPACALAK, Assessments, Quizzes & Learning Analytics Tools. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.