HEADRUSH

What HEADRUSH does

HEADRUSH Learning Inc. is a privately-held Canadian education technology company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Oakville, Ontario. The company builds a SaaS learning experience platform purpose-built for project-based learning (PBL) and competency-based education, serving innovative K–12 schools, charter schools, and programs that operate outside traditional course-based, teacher-led instruction. As of the most recent disclosures, Headrush serves 100–120 schools and 50,000+ learners, with named customers spanning PBL pioneers (Avalon, THINK Global School, Edvisions Off-Campus), competency-based programs (Abraxas High School, Anthony Acres School, American Academy of Innovation), and school-to-career initiatives through JAG National.

The platform is web-based and browser-native (no plugins), hosted on AWS with MongoDB Atlas as the primary datastore, and runs on a stack that includes Intercom for in-app chat/support, Sentry for error monitoring, MixPanel for usage analytics, and FullStory (on test/sales sites only) for session replay. Core architecture centers on Task Boards (Kanban-style boards per learning module), reusable Modules stored in a shared Warehouse, and cross-module Connected Modules for flexible learner pathways. Differentiated functionality includes competency-based tracking with fractional (partial) credit mapping, guest assessor invitations without separate logins, Google Workspace SSO and Drive integration, and state-reportable credit transcripts. The platform holds iKeepSafe COPPA Safe Harbor and FERPA certifications, and integrates with the EdSurge Product Index ecosystem.

The business model is recurring annual subscription SaaS with 12-month or 24-month terms (auto-renewing), plus a one-time implementation package in the first year and optional dedicated-coach add-on. Pricing starts at a $2,500 USD minimum annual subscription with quote-based tiers above that, varying by organization size and desired service intensity. Go-to-market combines direct consultative sales (demo → subscription → implementation) with a community-led motion through six PBL-focused strategic partners and a JAG National channel that distributes the platform to affiliates at no charge, intended to seed demand through the workforce-readiness vertical. The team comprises four named co-founders covering product, sales/implementation, engineering, and design/outreach, with no disclosed external funding, M&A, or revenue figures.

Name

HEADRUSH

Legal name

HEADRUSH Learning Inc.

Website

https://headrushlearning.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HEADRUSH Learning is a Canadian SaaS company, founded in 2017, that provides a project-based learning management platform for innovative K–12 schools pursuing competency-based, student-led education. It serves 100+ schools and 50,000+ learners through annual subscriptions, implementation packages, and partnerships with PBL-focused organizations and JAG National.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Technology / Learning Management System (Project-Based Learning)

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (61171), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)

akta.pro primary industry

Core LMS Platforms (Academic & Corporate) (EDAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

LMS Analytics, Insights & Learning Record Stores (LRS) (EDAFAAAJ), Educational Digital Courseware & Learning Platforms (LMS-Integrated) (MPAJABAH), LMS Commerce, Licensing & Monetization (eCommerce, Subscriptions, Seat Management) (EDAFAAAK), Social Learning & Community-Enabled LMS (EDAFAAAH)

Keywords

• Project-based learning platform
• Competency-based education software
• Learning management system
• Student-led learning tools
• K-12 education technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Subscription Services: Headrush generates revenue through annual subscription fees for its learning experience platform. Subscriptions are structured as 12-month or 24-month terms with automatic renewal at the end of each term. The minimum annual subscription is $2,500 USD. Additional fees apply for customized support and training beyond the standard implementation package.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HEADRUSH Learning is a web-based SaaS learning experience platform (LMS) purpose-built for project-based learning (PBL) in K-12 schools. The platform enables student-led projects, competency-based assessment with fractional credit tracking, Kanban-style task boards, guest assessor invitations, and real-time feedback loops. It is sold as an annual subscription to innovative schools and educational institutions worldwide.

Product overview

Headrush Learning is a project-based learning management system (PBL LMS) consisting of a unified core platform with integrated modules and features. The platform centers on Task Boards (Kanban-style visual boards) for organizing projects and learning activities, paired with modules that serve as learning containers which can be connected, copied, and shared via a Warehouse of templates. Key capabilities include competency-based learning tracking with fractional credit support, Guest Assessor invitations for external evaluation, Task Workflow for status management, Task Assessment for granular competency evaluation, Landing Pages for school communication, and Closing Feedback Loops for review and assessment. The platform integrates with Google Workspace for SSO and document management. A specialized vertical solution exists for JAG National with pre-built content and event management tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Headrush Learning Platform A project-based learning management system (LMS) designed for innovative K-12 schools that prioritize student agency, competency-based assessment, and agile learning approaches. The platform enables students to propose projects, track growth, and demonstrate learning through evidence portfolios. Sold as an annual subscription to schools and educational institutions.
• JAG National Hub A specialized implementation of the Headrush platform for Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) National, including a JAG hub of ready-made projects for participants, trainings for staff, and resources to support JAG Advantage programs. Provided to JAG affiliates at no charge through a partnership channel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 learners served across 100+ schools worldwide
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature11 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Authentic Learning LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNicholas J. Martino is an internationally renowned expert in project-based learning, authentic learning, and social-emotional learning. The Authentic Learning Lab promotes PBL, school innovation, and teacher empowerment. Featured as a partner on Headrush's About page, suggesting a strategic relationship in PBL thought leadership and school transformation.
• EduChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEduChange designs competency-based math and science curriculum for innovative schools. Promotes STEM, learning design, and curriculum development. Listed as a Headrush partner, indicating collaborative work in curriculum design and school innovation.
• OneStonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne Stone's Research and Design Hub shares education innovations across the world. Through its Ventures arm, One Stone works with school leaders to customize competency-based assessment tools and solutions. Researched, designed, and tested at the One Stone lab school in Boise, Idaho, with partner schools across the country.
• WRCCScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWRCCS (Wisconsin River Falls Center for School Reform) curates and connects innovative schools with best practices. Focused on teacher power and school network development in Wisconsin. Actively partners with Headrush to build action plans and school competencies, providing standards alignment between school, district, and state expectations.
• Project ARCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject ARC provides authentic professional development supporting project-learning experiences relevant to communities. Focused on school innovation, thought leadership, and community asset mapping. Co-founded by Dayna Laur, who serves as a PBL practitioner and endorser of Headrush as a PBL management system.
• Humanistic LeadershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHumanistic Leadership team draws from many years as teacher, school founder, director, and leadership coach to help others develop and implement innovative practices in PBL and global school innovation. Featured as a partner on the Headrush About page.
• JAG NationalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerJobs for America's Graduates (JAG) is a school-to-career program supporting young people of great promise. JAG partnered with Headrush to provide the platform to affiliates at no charge, including a JAG hub with ready-made projects, staff training resources, and event management tools. JAGForce student data syncs automatically with Headrush. JAG National promotes Headrush as a core tool for its program.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationAWS is Headrush's main application host. AWS provides the cloud infrastructure on which Headrush's web application runs.
• MongoDB AtlascoreTechnology or IntegrationMongoDB Atlas is Headrush's database service provider, hosting the platform's primary data storage.
• IntercomcoreTechnology or IntegrationIntercom provides Headrush's help center with articles related to platform use, real-time in-app chat support, email support, and user event tracking for proactive support and service improvement.
• Google / GSuitecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle/GSuite integration includes single sign-on via Google accounts, sharing of Google Drive resources as links or evidence, automatic document sharing with teachers, and automatic document copying of Google Drive templates for students. Most schools use the Google integration.
• SentrycoreTechnology or IntegrationSentry proactively logs errors and performance issues users experience. Can record screen sessions to help staff determine what was being done prior to an error (with data masked).
• NodeChef Meteor APMcoreTechnology or IntegrationNodeChef Meteor APM provides application performance monitoring for Headrush, helping track and maintain platform performance.
• MixPanelcoreTechnology or IntegrationMixPanel provides analytics on Headrush application usage to help understand and improve the user experience.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Project Foundry: Project Foundry is a project-based learning management platform for K-12 schools, offering similar features around competency tracking, portfolios, and student-led projects—making it the closest direct competitor to Headrush.
• JumpRope: JumpRope provides standards-based grading and competency-based assessment tools for K-12 schools, overlapping directly with Headrush's competency tracking, fractional credits, and reporting functionality.
• Otus: Otus is a K-12 LMS that combines gradebook, assessment, and student portfolios in one platform, with strong standards-based grading features comparable to Headrush's competency tracking and PBL management.
• Bloomz: Bloomz is an LMS and parent-engagement platform for K-12 that includes portfolio and student-progress features, serving similar innovative-school buyers with communication and learning-tracking workflows.
• ManageBac: ManageBac is an LMS widely used by IB and project-based international schools for unit planning, portfolios, and assessment—directly comparable to Headrush's PBL planning and competency tracking for innovative schools.

Broad incumbents

• Canvas by Instructure: Canvas is the dominant K-12 and higher-ed LMS with massive scale, growing PBL/mastery features, and district-licensed distribution that overlaps broadly with Headrush's LMS functionality.
• Schoology (PowerSchool): Schoology, now part of PowerSchool, is a leading K-12 LMS sold to districts and competes with Headrush for the same school-level buyer, though it is course-based rather than PBL-native.
• Google Classroom: Google Classroom is a free, deeply embedded LMS tied to Google Workspace, used by most U.S. K-12 schools. It is the default incumbent Headrush must displace, especially for schools already on Google for Education.
• Newsela: Newsela is a large K-12 instructional content platform with assessment and skill-tracking features that overlap with Headrush's competency tracking and differentiated content workflows for schools.

Emerging players

• Open Up Resources: Open Up Resources provides high-quality, openly licensed K-12 instructional materials aligned to competency-based and standards-based practice, adjacent to Headrush's curriculum-and-competency positioning for innovative schools.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/headrushapp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/headrushapp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 HEADRUSH