What 3C Institute does

3C Institute for Social Development, Inc., founded in 2001 by Melissa DeRosier, PhD, is a privately held digital health company headquartered in Durham, North Carolina. The company develops custom software solutions targeting social, emotional, and behavioral health, with a product portfolio organized around three core platforms — Quest (developmentally appropriate data collection for adults, teens, and children as young as five), DeLP / Dynamic e-Learning Platform (evidence-based online instruction built on cognitive theory of multimedia learning), and IMPACT (implementation fidelity, progress, and outcomes tracking). These platforms are complemented by a suite of proprietary game-based assessment and intervention products, including Zoo U, Adventures Aboard the S.S.GRIN, and Hall of Heroes, which the company describes as among the first evidence-based intelligent social tutoring systems in the social-emotional learning space.

3C's customer base spans researchers and academic institutions (e.g., Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Duke, UC system, RAND), K-12 schools and districts, healthcare and mental health providers (e.g., OhioHealth, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia), foundations and nonprofits (e.g., Annie E. Casey Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of America), and government agencies. The company serves more than 500,000 researchers, providers, and program participants across the US, Canada, the UK, India, Japan, and Australia.

The business model combines multi-year subscription licensing of the core platforms, custom software development services billed on a quote-based engagement model, and product sales through its own 3C Marketplace and via distribution partner Centervention. Pricing is fully customized with no public tiers. The company is founder-controlled under Dr. DeRosier, has received three Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants in its early years, and operates with 11-50 employees — a structure consistent with a research-grade, services-led boutique rather than a venture-scaled software business.

Name

3C Institute

Legal name

3C Institute for Social Development, Inc.

Website

https://3cisd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

3C Institute is a private digital health company that builds custom software platforms — Quest, DeLP, and IMPACT — and evidence-based game-based assessments (Zoo U, S.S.GRIN) to scale social, emotional, and behavioral health programs for researchers, educators, clinicians, and nonprofits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health Software

NAICS

Software Publishers (5132), Educational Support Services (611710), Health Care and Social Assistance (62)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Functioning & Behavioral Support Tools (ADHD, SEL/Behavior Tracking, Routines) (EDAFAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) Devices, Apps & Training (EDAKAIAB), Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children (EDACAFAL)

Keywords

• Behavioral health software
• Social emotional learning
• Data collection platform
• Digital e-learning
• Custom software development

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing and Subscriptions: 3C offers software platforms (Quest, DeLP, IMPACT) through licensing arrangements. Organizations obtain licenses to access the platforms for data collection, e-learning, and implementation support. Pricing is quote-based and customized to organizational needs.
2. Custom Software Development Services: 3C collaborates with researchers and program providers to create custom technology solutions. This includes customizing existing platforms or building new tools tailored to specific behavioral health programs.
3. Product Sales: Products like Zoo U and S.S.GRIN are sold through 3C Marketplace and partner Centervention. Programs are available for purchase to implement social-emotional learning interventions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

3C Institute develops custom software platforms and digital health solutions that improve social, emotional, and behavioral health. Its core offerings include the Quest data collection platform, the DeLP (Dynamic e-Learning Platform), the IMPACT implementation support platform, and a portfolio of game-based and course-based behavioral interventions such as Zoo U, S.S.GRIN, Hall of Heroes, LIFT, Help Wanted, and the SHAPE System, sold to researchers, educators, program developers, clinicians, nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies.

Product overview

3C Institute offers a suite of digital health solutions focused on social, emotional, and behavioral health. The product portfolio centers on four core platforms: Quest (data collection), DeLP (dynamic e-learning), IMPACT (implementation support), and Custom Assessment Systems. These integrate with specific programs including Zoo U, Adventures Aboard the S.S.GRIN, and Hall of Heroes (game-based programs for social-emotional learning and assessment); LIFT, Help Wanted, and trauma programs (e-learning interventions); plus supporting tools like Resource Center and Mobile Assessment. The architecture combines standalone platforms with specialized programs that can be used independently or integrated depending on client needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Quest: Online data collection platform for developmentally appropriate assessments for children, teens, and adults.
• DeLP (Dynamic e-Learning Platform)
• IMPACT
• Zoo U
• S.S.GRIN
• Hall of Heroes

Products and services

• Quest Data Collection Platform Online data collection platform designed for developmentally appropriate assessments for adults, teens, and children as young as five years old. Features customizable survey components, accessibility tools, gamified interfaces, and data visualization capabilities for researchers, schools, and program providers.
• Dynamic e-Learning Platform (DeLP) Dynamic e-learning platform for online instruction and professional development built on evidence-based cognitive theory of multimedia learning. Features Tell-Me, Show-Me, and Let-Me Try components with direct instruction, demonstrations, and interactive practice for educators, clinicians, and program developers.
• IMPACT Implementation Support Platform Data collection platform that supports high-quality program implementation by tracking fidelity, progress, and outcomes data. Enables providers to enter session data, track participant progress, and generate performance reports for program developers and nonprofits.
• Zoo U Online game-based social and emotional skills assessment and skill-building program for children aged 7-11. Features stealth assessment embedded in gameplay, adaptive difficulty, hints, and personalized learning. Sold via 3C Marketplace and partner Centervention.
• Adventures Aboard the S.S.GRIN Engaging online game to teach social skills to children ages 7-12 who experience social-behavioral challenges. Addresses bullying, victimization, and social-emotional competence including communication, cooperation, and empathy.
• Hall of Heroes Intelligent Social Tutoring System (ISTS) game that prepares children for transition to middle school by dynamically adapting content to individual students and documenting progress toward specific measurable social goals.
• SHAPE System Web-based portal developed with University of Maryland School of Medicine that helps schools and districts assess and improve comprehensive school mental health systems, measuring quality, sustainability, and trauma responsiveness.
• LIFT (Life Improvement for Teens) Online intervention developed with RAND Corporation to build stress-management skills for adolescents aged 12-18 who have experienced trauma. Features game and interactive technologies for trauma recovery.
• Help Wanted Self-paced online course developed with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to support youth and adolescents who are sexually attracted to children and want to live a safe, healthy, non-offending life.
• S.S.GRIN Evidence-based targeted RtI Tier 2 small-group intervention addressing bullying, victimization, and social-emotional competence. Covers communication, cooperation, impulse control, perspective taking, conflict management, and empathy.
• Custom Assessment Systems Custom-built data collection and analysis tools that deliver actionable feedback and meaningful insights for program providers, researchers, and organizations. Provided as a custom software development service.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zoo U players showed significant improvements in impulse control, conversation initiation, and emotion management; less aggression in social interactions; and increased confidence about social interactions.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UCF RESTOREScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2024UCF RESTORES, a nonprofit clinical research center at University of Central Florida led by Dr. Deborah Beidel, partnered with 3C to update and expand e-learning courses including Trauma Management Therapy (TMT) and Understanding Firefighter Culture. A third course on Understanding Law Enforcement is in development.
• CenterventioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCentervention serves as the distribution partner for 3C's SEL games including Zoo U, Adventures Aboard the S.S.GRIN, and Hall of Heroes. They have brought these products to hundreds of thousands of children across the world. Tim Huntley is CEO of Centervention.
• Annie E. Casey FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAECF partnered with 3C to customize the IMPACT platform for five evidence-based programs. Also uses Quest platform for the Youth Experience Survey giving youth voice in community-wide assessments. Partnership began in 2020.
• RAND CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRAND partnered with 3C to create LIFT (Life Improvement for Teens) online intervention for adolescents who have experienced trauma. Also uses Quest for messaging studies supporting Ohio Department of Education and for Single Stop U.S.A. evaluation studies.
• Center for Safe & Resilient Schools and WorkplacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with 3C to create a suite of online trauma-informed programs including CBITS, Bounce Back, SSET, LIFT, STAT, and TISE. 3C also developed the intervention hub at TraumaAwareSchools.org.
• University of Maryland School of Medicine (Center for School Mental Health)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center partnered with 3C to develop the SHAPE System (School Health and Performance Evaluation System), a free web-based portal helping schools assess and improve mental health systems. Dr. Sharon Hoover cited 3C's contributions as technology partner.
• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Elizabeth Letourneau's team partnered with 3C to develop Help Wanted, an online course supporting youth and adolescents sexually attracted to children who want to live a safe, healthy, non-offending life.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGCA selected 3C's Quest platform to deliver their annual National Youth Outcomes Initiative Member Survey to gauge impact on youth outcomes.
• Rocketship Public Schools DCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRPS DC partnered with 3C to design and deploy a child-friendly survey for up to 1,400 students to assess social-emotional well-being. Surveys administered each fall and spring since 2021.
• Single Stop U.S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSingle Stop U.S.A. partnered with RAND and 3C to conduct a two-year study evaluating effectiveness of resources for community college students using Quest features.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Panorama Education: Panorama is the leading K-12 SEL and stakeholder survey platform, directly competing with 3C's Quest product for district SEL data collection contracts. Like 3C, it serves schools, districts, and research institutions with assessment and reporting tools.
• BASE Education: BASE Education delivers online SEL and mental health curriculum to K-12 schools, directly competing with 3C's DeLP platform for professional development and student intervention budgets. Also listed on 3C's partner map (Greenwood Village, CO).
• Centervention: Centervention is both a channel partner and direct competitor—distributing 3C's SEL games while also marketing its own social-emotional learning games to schools. Direct overlap on game-based SEL for elementary-aged children.
• Move This World: Move This World delivers SEL programming and content to schools and districts, overlapping with 3C's DeLP and SEL game offerings. Both target elementary and secondary SEL curricula with digital delivery.
• Rethink Ed: Rethink Ed provides SEL, behavior management, and professional development tools to K-12 districts, competing with 3C's DeLP e-learning and IMPACT implementation support products. Both serve the school mental health and behavioral health practitioner market.
• Aperture Education: Aperture offers the DESSA suite of SEL assessments and intervention tools to K-12 educators, directly overlapping with 3C's Quest/Zoo U offerings. Notably, Aperture is listed on 3C's own partner map (Charlotte, NC), highlighting their adjacency in the SEL assessment category.
• SilverCloud Health: SilverCloud provides digital mental health programs used by healthcare systems and universities—directly comparable to 3C's behavioral health e-learning interventions. Listed on 3C's partner map (Boston, MA) as a co-marketing peer in the digital mental health space.

Emerging players

• xSEL Labs: xSEL Labs focuses on K-12 SEL measurement and intervention tools, partially overlapping with 3C's Quest and Zoo U products. Listed on 3C's partner map (Evanston, IL) as an emerging player in the SEL measurement category.
• WestEd: WestEd is a nonpartisan education research organization developing SEL and school improvement tools, partially overlapping with 3C's research partnership model and behavioral health program development. Listed on 3C's partner map (San Francisco, CA).

Regional players

• Empirical Education: Empirical Education provides educational research and assessment services, overlapping with 3C's research-customized software offering for academic institutions. Listed on 3C's partner map (Palo Alto, CA) as a comparable education research services provider.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/3CInstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 3C Institute