Amazing Explorers Academy

What Amazing Explorers Academy does

Amazing Explorers Academy is a privately held, Orlando-anchored early childhood education operator that delivers STEAM-based preschool and childcare services through a franchise model. Founded in 2015 by brothers Fabrizio Spinelli and Marcello Spinelli in Waterford Lakes, Florida, the company began franchising in 2017 and has scaled to 25+ campuses across five states (Florida, Texas, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee), serving children from 6 weeks through 12 years. The core product is the proprietary STEAM Investigation™ curriculum, developed in collaboration with University of Central Florida professors and a task force including academics from the Harvard Business School Mind of the Market Lab, and delivered through age-tiered programs (Infant, Toddler, Preschool 3s/4s, VPK/Pre-K, Before & After School, Summer Camps) plus enrichment modules (Culinary, Sports, Spanish, Robotics & Coding, Zen Zones).

The technology stack combines a proprietary curriculum and assessment platform with an AI-empowered personalization layer that analyzes classroom assessment data to give teachers a per-child progress view, enabling differentiated instruction. Select locations include dedicated STEAM Experience Rooms with hydroponics, robotics, and coding tools, and the company offers a secure parent-facing video feed and QR-code check-in for safety. The company is also nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Commission (NAC) and operates state-licensed facilities (e.g., Texas DCF).

The business model is dual-track. At the system level, tuition is the dominant revenue stream, billed monthly on a subscription basis across full-day programs. At the corporate level, the company monetizes its franchise system through franchise fees and royalties, with franchisees operating the bulk of the 25+ campuses. End customers are working families with young children, while a secondary B2B customer segment comprises franchise operator-investors. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the aexplorers.com site, location-specific enrollment portals, organic social, community PR, and earned media (PBS, Fox 35, Orlando Sentinel, WFTV 9, WUCF, WKMG).

Name

Amazing Explorers Academy

Legal name

Amazing Explorers Academy

Website

https://aexplorers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

STEAM-focused early childhood education franchise operating 25+ centers across 5 US states (FL, TX, NY, NC, TN), serving children 6 weeks to 12 years through a proprietary curriculum and AI-empowered teacher personalization.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Education

NAICS

Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

STEAM-Focused Early Learning Academies (EDACADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Inquiry/Project-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAF)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Preschool franchises
• STEAM curriculum
• Infant daycare
• After school programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Orlando

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices28 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Childcare and Preschool Tuition: Tuition-based revenue model for early childhood education services covering infants (6 weeks) through school-age children (12 years), including before/after school care and summer camps.
2. Franchise Fees: Franchise opportunities offered to operators. Began franchising in 2017 with expansion plans for multiple new locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Amazing Explorers Academy operates preschool and early childhood education centers delivering its proprietary STEAM Investigation curriculum to children aged 6 weeks through 12 years. The company also sells franchise opportunities to entrepreneurs who want to operate their own Amazing Explorers Academy location under the brand and curriculum.

Product overview

Amazing Explorers Academy is a next-generation STEAM-based preschool and childcare provider operating on a franchise model. The core offering is the proprietary STEAM Investigation Curriculum, which integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics through hands-on investigations and project-based learning. The company serves children from 6 weeks to 12 years through age-specific programs including Infant, Toddler, Preschool, VPK/Pre-K, Before & After School, and Summer Camps. Enrichment add-ons including Culinary, Sports, Spanish, Robotics & Coding, Zen Zones, and the Amazing Choices health program complement the core curriculum. The company also incorporates AI-empowered personalization to analyze classroom assessments and help teachers tailor instruction to individual children's developmental needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Infant Program Early childhood education and care program for infants aged 6 weeks to 12 months, delivered through the STEAM Investigation curriculum. Designed for families seeking structured infant care and developmental enrichment.
• Toddler Program Early childhood education and care program for toddlers, delivered through the STEAM Investigation curriculum. Targeted at families with children in the toddler developmental stage.
• Preschool Program Early childhood education program for preschool-age children (3s and 4s) using the STEAM Investigation curriculum. Aimed at families preparing their children for kindergarten readiness.
• VPK / Pre-K Program Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) and Pre-K program aligned with state-funded VPK standards and the STEAM Investigation curriculum. Targeted at 4- and 5-year-old children preparing to enter elementary school.
• Before & After School Program School-age care program providing supervision, homework support, and enrichment activities for children up to age 12 before and after the regular school day. Designed for working families with elementary-school children.
• Summer Camp Seasonal full-day summer program for school-age children featuring STEAM-themed activities, field trips, and enrichment. Targeted at families needing summer care for children up to age 12.
• Amazing Choices Program Health and wellness-focused add-on program covering nutrition, exercise, yoga, and mindfulness, integrated into the daily schedule. Included for enrolled families as part of the academy experience.
• Franchise Opportunity Licensed franchise offering that allows entrepreneurs and operators to open an Amazing Explorers Academy location using the company's brand, STEAM Investigation curriculum, operating systems, and support. Targeted at prospective franchisees seeking a turnkey early childhood education business.

Quantifiable outcome

• 113% Average Kindergarten Readiness Score (13% above benchmark)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GrowFL (Florida Economic Gardening Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Economic development organization focused on assisting second-stage growth companies in Florida. Manages Florida Companies to Watch program in association with Edward Lowe Foundation. Provided strategic research, peer learning, and leadership development resources.
• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro OrlandominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2017Recognized Amazing Explorers Academy as one of 10 Fast Growing Latino Companies in Central Florida at annual Hispanic Business Conference, providing marketing exposure and business community recognition.
• University of Central Florida (UCF) ProfessorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity professors collaborated with the visionary owner to create the innovative STEAM curriculum program. Professors from UCF's Office of Research and Commercialization helped identify challenges facing 21st century learners and contributed to curriculum development.
• Nemours Children's Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with other organizations to create the Amazing Choices program - an engaging program that encourages lifelong healthy lifestyle choices. Promotes wellness, nutrition education, and healthy lifestyle habits to children, staff, and parents.
• Edward Lowe FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational nonprofit supporting entrepreneurship through research, recognition, and educational programs. Co-manages Florida Companies to Watch program with GrowFL. Focuses on second-stage companies.
• Task Force of Leading ThinkerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcept developed by a task force of leading thinkers including university professors, technology experts, and community leaders who helped identify challenges facing 21st century learners. Includes academics from Harvard Business School Mind of the Market Lab.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Primrose Schools: National franchise system of private early childhood education centers with a proprietary Balanced Learning curriculum (incorporating STEAM-style content). Most directly comparable to Amazing Explorers Academy in franchise model, target demographic, and curriculum-IP-led differentiation.
• Guidepost Montessori: National Montessori-focused early childhood network combining corporate-owned and franchised/affiliated campuses. Comparable to Amazing Explorers Academy on proprietary curriculum philosophy, premium pricing, and national multi-state footprint.
• Children's Lighthouse: Franchise early childhood education provider emphasizing STEAM, character development, and school readiness. Closely aligned with Amazing Explorers Academy in mission, age range, and franchise-led national expansion strategy.
• Goddard School: Franchise preschool system serving infants through pre-K with a play- and STEAM-infused proprietary curriculum. Directly comparable on franchise unit count, multi-state footprint, and curriculum-driven premium positioning.
• Stratford School: Private preschool-through-elementary operator with STEAM and enrichment programming comparable to Amazing Explorers' enrichment stack (culinary, robotics/coding, Spanish). Comparable on tuition-based model and focus on early STEAM skill development.
• The Learning Experience: Franchise-based preschool system with a proprietary 'Fun with Phonics'-style curriculum and character-driven branding. Comparable to Amazing Explorers Academy on franchise scale, age range served (infants through pre-K and beyond), and proprietary curriculum as the central brand asset.

Broad incumbents

• La Petite Academy: Multi-state childcare and preschool brand (part of the Spring Education Group portfolio). Comparable on age range, tuition-based service model, and presence in overlapping markets such as Florida and Texas.
• KinderCare Learning Centers: Largest U.S. provider of early childhood education and before/after-school care, with hundreds of company- and franchise-owned centers. Comparable on age range and service breadth but operates at materially larger scale and is not specifically STEAM-focused.
• Chesterbrook Academy: Preschool and elementary operator with locations across multiple U.S. states. Comparable to Amazing Explorers Academy on age range served and STEAM/enrichment-oriented curriculum, but backed by a larger education-platform parent company.
• Bright Horizons Family Solutions: Public, large-scale operator of employer-sponsored childcare and early education centers. Comparable on core service (infant-to-pre-K early childhood education) but differentiated by enterprise/employer channel and much larger footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/amazingexplorer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@amazingexplorers
• Facebookfacebook.com/AmazingExplorersAcademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/amazing-explorers-academy
• Instagraminstagram.com/aexplorersorlando

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

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 Amazing Explorers Academy