What Be Smart Kids does

Be Smart Kids Inc. is an early childhood education software company headquartered in Greeneville, Tennessee. Founded by former teacher Donna Blevins, with work beginning in 1991 and the company formally incorporated in 1998, it develops research-based educational software for children ages 1 through 6. The core product comprises 751 activities organized into 75 progressive lesson plans designed to support cognitive development in early learners, drawing on a curriculum that the company describes as more than two decades in development and validated through partnerships including Tusculum University and education expert Dr. Robert McElrath.

The company sells through three product tiers: Be Smart Kids: Pro, a perpetual license at $339; Be Smart Kids: Cloud, a subscription at $79.95 per year or $8.95 per month launched in 2016; and an institutional licensing arrangement for schools and organizations. Customer segments include individual parents, daycares and preschools, Head Start programs, elementary schools, and programs serving special-needs children. Distribution has historically reached 35 Tennessee counties plus Texas, New York, Georgia, and Kentucky. Earlier technology development was supported through a partnership with Ross Perot / Perot Systems.

The business model combines one-time consumer sales, recurring subscription revenue, and institutional licensing. Reported revenue was approximately $100,000 in 2005, and $350,000 was raised from high-net-worth individuals in the same year, with a stated objective of raising $2 million for further expansion. Recognition milestones include a White House meeting in 2004, Tennessee House Resolution 384 in 2005, the Dr. Toy Award, and a speaking role at the 2007 Texas Education Reform Summit. Public digital presence appears limited to a Facebook page, with no recent funding, headcount, or revenue disclosures in the input data.

Name

Be Smart Kids

Legal name

Be Smart Kids Inc.

Website

https://besmartkids.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Be Smart Kids Inc. develops research-based early childhood education software (751 activities across 75 lesson plans) for children ages 1–6, selling consumer subscriptions, perpetual licenses, and institutional licenses to parents, daycares, Head Start programs, and schools across multiple U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education Software

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital/Interactive Curriculum Content (Apps, Games, Multimedia Lessons) (EDACAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Early Learning Digital Curriculum & School Readiness Content (EDAFACAN), Teacher-Led Classroom Platforms (Lesson Delivery, Centers, Whiteboard) (EDACANAH), Parent-Facing Home Learning & Family Engagement Apps (EDACANAK)

Keywords

• Early childhood education software
• Brain development curriculum
• Preschool learning system
• Children educational software
• Early learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tennessee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Sales - Cloud Subscription: Annual subscription to Be Smart Kids: Cloud at $79.95/year or $8.95/month. Includes online account access, free updates, and 1 month free access. New users get a free first month trial.
2. Software Sales - Pro (One-time License): One-time purchase of Be Smart Kids: Pro at $339.00 with free shipping. Includes USB stick, Teachers Guide Booklet, Parents Guide Booklet. Access for 3 years for 3 students on home version. Volume pricing available for institutions.
3. Institution Licensing: Licenses the Be Smart Kids learning system and trains teachers for on-site learning centers at day-care facilities, preschools, Head Start programs, and elementary schools. Volume pricing for multiple users.
4. Learning Center Operations: Company operates independent learning centers offering private lessons using the trademark learning system. One-on-one tutorials at learning centers cost approximately $20 per session.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Be Smart Kids develops and sells a computerized early childhood education learning system for children ages 0-6, built on a proprietary brain-wiring methodology that incorporates scientific principles of early brain development. The company delivers its curriculum through two main product channels: a cloud-based subscription service (Be Smart Kids: Cloud) and a physical USB-based software package (Be Smart Kids: Pro), both containing 751 activities organized into 75 progressive lesson plans covering language, math, music, motor skills, and other developmental areas. The company also licenses the system to educational institutions and operates private learning centers.

Product overview

Be Smart Kids offers an early childhood education learning system designed for children ages 1-6, based on principles of early brain development and "hard-wiring" the brain during critical learning windows. The company provides two primary product delivery methods: the cloud-based subscription service (Be Smart Kids: Cloud) for online access via a downloadable app, and the physical USB/software package (Be Smart Kids: Pro) for offline use. Both products include the same curriculum of 751 activities organized into 75 progressive lesson plans across 4 levels, covering subjects including language, vocabulary, math, logic, reading, music, spatial/visual skills, motor skills, and second language (Spanish). The company also offers institutional licensing for schools and learning centers through Be Smart Kids: Institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Be Smart Kids: Cloud: Online subscription-based version of the learning system, available for $79.95/year or $8.95/month, with free first month access.
• Be Smart Kids: Pro
• Be Smart Kids: Institutions

Products and services

• Be Smart Kids: Cloud An online subscription-based version of the early childhood education learning system accessible via downloadable app for Windows and Mac. Provides tracking of child progress across multiple computers and platforms with online account access. Targets parents and home users seeking early childhood brain development curriculum for children ages 1-6.
• Be Smart Kids: Pro A physical USB-based software package containing the complete early childhood education curriculum for ages 1-6, including lesson plans, activities, teaching guides, and parental guides. Works offline on Mac and Windows computers with 3-year access for up to 3 children. Sold as a one-time purchase.
• Be Smart Kids: Institutions A specialized version of the learning system for schools, daycares, Head Start programs, and learning centers that enables volume licensing, teacher training, and multi-computer access for institutional use. Targets education administrators and program directors.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of Be Smart Kids students who were in the program for minimum 2.5 years ranked in the 98th percentile on Terra Nova test
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Perot SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationMore than 50 of Perot Systems' computer experts from around the world spent nearly two years working on the design and building of the complete computerized Be Smart Kids system.
• Kids Can, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization established to benefit at-risk children. Partnered with Be Smart Kids on the Children's Center Research Project at Holston United Methodist Home for Children. Also supported West Pines Elementary program for high-risk children with Kiwanis Club funding.
• Tusculum UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDepartments of Education and Psychology at Tusculum University conducted the Children's Center Research Project with assistance from Kids Can, Inc., evaluating Be Smart Kids effectiveness over one year using the Brigance Test.
• Larry KingminorOthersCNN host Larry King and his wife Shawn beta-tested the Be Smart Kids Program at their home. Larry King has appeared in photos with founder Donna Blevins.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Time4Learning: Online homeschool and supplemental curriculum for PreK through 12th grade with monthly subscription. Comparable online delivery and parent-facing early-elementary positioning.
• Age of Learning (ABCmouse): Subscription-based early childhood (ages 2–8) online learning platform covering reading, math, science, and art. Closest direct competitor — same target buyer (parents of young children), same delivery model (online curriculum with progress tracking), and a much larger scale.
• Reading Eggs (Blake eLearning): Online reading and literacy program for ages 2–13 with home and school editions. Comparable D2C + institutional licensing GTM in the early-literacy segment.
• Hooked on Phonics: Long-running early-literacy program for ages 3–8 delivered via digital and physical kits. Comparable parent-facing early-reading positioning and product format.
• Homer (Learn with Homer): Early childhood learning app for ages 2–8 focused on reading, math, creativity, and social-emotional skills. Comparable D2C subscription model and parent-facing early-literacy value proposition.
• LeapFrog (LeapFrog Enterprises): Educational hardware/software for early learners covering reading, math, and life skills. Overlaps with Be Smart Kids' early-childhood age range and core-subject curriculum.

Emerging players

• Vroom: Brain-science-driven early childhood learning platform from the Bezos Family Foundation, focused on parent-child interaction. Comparable age range (0–5) and brain-development messaging, but non-commercial/donor-funded.

Broad incumbents

• PBS Kids: Public-media early-childhood educational content brand with games, videos, and apps. Competes for the same parent/preschool audience with broader reach and free access.
• Scholastic Early Learners: Major publisher of early-childhood educational books, activity packs, and digital content. Comparable subject coverage and school/institutional distribution.
• Khan Academy Kids: Free early-childhood learning app (ages 2–8) from a well-funded education platform. Competes for the same D2C parent audience but with a much larger brand and zero price point.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/likebesmartkids

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 Be Smart Kids