XYZ Textbooks
XYZ Textbooks is a private educational publisher founded in 2010 that exclusively develops college-level mathematics textbooks plus integrated eBooks, 10,000+ MathTV tutorial videos, and XYZ Homework, sold to students, instructors, and campus bookstores across the US and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSan Luis Obispo, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What XYZ Textbooks does
XYZ Textbooks is a private educational publishing company founded in 2010 by Charles P. McKeague and headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California. The company develops and distributes college-level mathematics textbooks exclusively, covering developmental math through precalculus (Prealgebra, Introductory Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, and Quantitative Literacy). Its core product is the All-Access Pass at $45 per year, which bundles access to 20+ eBooks, more than 10,000 MathTV tutorial videos (with Spanish-language versions for nearly every topic), and the XYZ Homework online assessment system. Printed textbooks are sold for $55-$88 and include a free All-Access Pass, with a 5-year no-revision guarantee that protects students from forced repurchase cycles. The supporting technology stack comprises the XYZ eBook platform (responsive, web-accessible), QR-code-linked video tutorials in print editions, the MathTV video site, and XYZ Homework with Canvas LMS integration.
The company operates a multi-channel go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer sales are processed through xyztextbooks.com. Institutional sales run through Inclusive Access partnerships with RedShelf and VitalSource, which enable campus bookstores to deliver day-one digital access with billing through institutional bursar accounts, plus a dedicated wholesale portal for campus bookstore bulk ordering. Approximately eight regional sales representatives cover US states and territories and high school mathematics departments, working directly with instructors to drive textbook adoptions. Distribution extends to Canada via a local representative. Customers primarily include college students at two-year and four-year institutions, college instructors, campus bookstores, and high school math departments. Reported customer satisfaction includes 87% of students rating materials good-to-excellent in a Fall 2021 survey of roughly 1,000 students, and roughly 70% preferring XYZ to other math materials they had used.
XYZ Textbooks is founder-owned and privately held, with no disclosed external funding rounds. The leadership team includes McKeague as owner, author, and video tutor; a VP of Sales and Marketing (formerly of Thomson Publishing and Harcourt College Publishing); an Operations Manager for Sales and HR; a Director of Production and Design; a Business Development Director for Texas; and field sales representatives. Sister platforms MathTV (video tutorials) and XYZ Homework (online homework) operate within the XYZ ecosystem. The company has continued to launch new editions and titles since 2020 and has expanded its addressable scope into quantitative literacy, corequisite remediation, K-12, and Canada.
XYZ Textbooks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- XYZ Textbooks
- Legal name
- XYZ Textbooks
- Website
- https://xyztextbooks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- XYZ Textbooks is a private educational publisher founded in 2010 that exclusively develops college-level mathematics textbooks plus integrated eBooks, 10,000+ MathTV tutorial videos, and XYZ Homework, sold to students, instructors, and campus bookstores across the US and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
XYZ Textbooks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Educational Mathematics Textbook Publishing
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Book Printing (2732), Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Business, Economics, Accounting & Management (EDAGABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Higher Education Digital Courseware & Modules (EDAGAEAB), Mathematics Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAG), Mathematics Tutoring (Arithmetic–Calculus & Beyond) (EDANAAAA)
Keywords
Where XYZ Textbooks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Luis Obispo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
XYZ Textbooks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Textbook Sales (Printed): Sale of printed paperback and loose-leaf textbooks directly to students and through campus bookstores. Prices range from $45-$88 depending on title and format. Each new print textbook includes a free All-Access Pass.
- All-Access Pass Subscription: Annual subscription providing 12-month access to XYZ eBooks, MathTV videos, and XYZ Homework. Sold for $45 per year directly to students, included free with new print textbook purchases.
- Inclusive Access / Institutional Sales: Partnership with RedShelf and VitalSource for campus bookstore Inclusive Access programs. Students are billed through institutional bursar accounts at reduced fees, with XYZ Textbooks fulfilling course materials.
- Wholesale Bookstore Sales: Wholesale sales to campus bookstores through a dedicated wholesale portal, accepting purchase orders via online, email, fax, and phone channels.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | All-Access Pass (Digital Only) |
| Hybrid | One time/ perpetual license | Printed Textbook + All-Access Pass |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | eBook-only Purchase |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Loose-Leaf Textbook |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Inclusive Access (Institutional) |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
XYZ Textbooks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
XYZ Textbooks publishes college-level mathematics textbooks for subjects from prealgebra through precalculus, distributed in printed paperback and loose-leaf formats. Each purchase is bundled with the All-Access Pass, an annual subscription providing 12-month access to the complete XYZ eBook catalog, over 10,000 MathTV tutorial videos, and the XYZ Homework online assessment system. The company also operates the MathTV video platform and XYZ Homework system as sister products, and delivers digital course materials through Inclusive Access partnerships with RedShelf and VitalSource for campus bookstores.
Product overview
XYZ Textbooks operates as a digital-first educational publishing platform specializing exclusively in mathematics textbooks and learning tools. The core offering is the All-Access Pass ($45/year), which provides subscription access to the entire XYZ eBook catalog, MathTV video tutorials (10,000+ videos), and XYZ Homework online assessment system. Physical textbooks are available with All-Access Pass included (average $68), and the company guarantees no textbook revisions for 5 years. The product portfolio includes approximately 11 primary textbooks covering developmental math through precalculus (Prealgebra, Introductory Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, Elementary & Intermediate Algebra, College Algebra, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Quantitative Literacy), with corresponding Student Solutions Manuals and Supplemental Worksheets as supplements. The sister platforms MathTV and XYZ Homework provide video tutorials and online homework respectively, all integrated into the eBook experience.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MathTV: Sister site offering over 10,000 math video tutorials with Spanish-language content, integrated into XYZ eBooks
- XYZ Homework
- XYZ
Products and services
- All-Access Pass Annual subscription providing 12-month access to XYZ eBooks, over 10,000 MathTV video tutorials, and the XYZ Homework online assessment system. Sold for $45/year to students or included free with new print textbook purchases. For college students and instructors of mathematics courses.
- College Algebra: Building Skills and Modeling Situations Traditional college algebra textbook emphasizing skill building and mathematical modeling, with study skills and success skills features. Authors include Charles P. McKeague, Kathy Yoshiwara, and Denny Burzynski. For college students enrolled in college algebra courses.
- College Algebra: Building Concepts and Connections 2e College algebra textbook by Revathi Narasimhan focused on connecting mathematical concepts through Just in Time exercises and integrated skills applications. Second edition publishing with enhanced pedagogy. For college students in college algebra courses.
- Precalculus: Building Concepts and Connections 2e Precalculus textbook by Revathi Narasimhan combining mathematical rigor with engaging writing style. Features Progress Check, WolframAlpha integration, and MathTV video tutorials. For college students in precalculus courses.
- Trigonometry Standard right triangle approach trigonometry textbook by Charles P. McKeague emphasizing definitions and principles with identities introduced early. For college students in trigonometry courses.
- Trigonometry 2nd Edition Updated trigonometry textbook by Charles P. McKeague with What/Why/Where features, Scenarios for real-world applications, and a corequisite support chapter. Originally published January 2020; eBook updated May 2023. For college students in trigonometry courses.
- Intermediate Algebra Traditional one-semester intermediate algebra textbook by Mark Turner and Charles P. McKeague with Progress Check and Learning Objectives features. For college students in intermediate algebra courses.
- Intermediate Algebra: Concepts and Graphs 2e Intermediate algebra textbook by Charles P. McKeague providing condensed review of elementary algebra through an operational approach rather than topic-based review. For college students in intermediate algebra courses.
- Introductory Algebra: Concepts and Graphs 2e Traditional one-semester beginning algebra textbook by Charles P. McKeague covering graphing in Chapter 3 and systems of equations in Chapter 7. First major revision since 2010, with added learning objectives, updated applications, and Spotlight on Success features. For college students in introductory algebra courses.
- Elementary and Intermediate Algebra Combined elementary and intermediate algebra textbook by Mark Turner and Charles P. McKeague with a Transitions chapter for bridging the two courses. For college students taking combined elementary and intermediate algebra courses.
- Quantitative Literacy Textbook covering critical thinking and quantitative reasoning including logic, patterns, rates, functions, financial literacy, probability, statistics, geometry, and voting theory. For college students.
- Prealgebra Prealgebra textbook by Charles P. McKeague and Kate Pawlik introducing negative numbers in Chapter 2 and equations in Chapter 4, with a Progress Check eBook feature. For college students in prealgebra courses.
- MathTV Sister platform containing over 10,000 math tutorial videos from basic mathematics through calculus. Videos feature multiple student instructors including Spanish-language options and are integrated into XYZ eBooks and accessible via QR codes in printed textbooks. For college students and learners seeking math instruction.
- XYZ Homework Online homework system working in conjunction with XYZ Textbooks. Included with the All-Access Pass at no additional cost. Supports Canvas LMS integration for institutional customers. For college students and instructors using XYZ textbooks.
- Inclusive Access Program Day-one access program through RedShelf and VitalSource partnerships enabling campus bookstores to provide digital course materials to students with billing through institutional bursar accounts. Financial aid applicable. For campus bookstores and institutions seeking to provide course materials at reduced fees.
Quantifiable outcome
- 87% of XYZ students rated their study materials 'good' to 'excellent' in Fall 2021 survey of nearly 1,000 students
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use XYZ Textbooks
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
XYZ Textbooks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
XYZ Textbooks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- RedShelfcoreRedShelf is a partner in XYZ Textbooks' Inclusive Access program, enabling campus bookstores to provide students with day-one digital access to course materials. Students receive materials on the first day of class and are billed through institutional accounts.
- VitalSourcecoreVitalSource is a partner in XYZ Textbooks' Inclusive Access program, enabling campus bookstores to fulfill adopted course materials digitally. Students receive perpetual access to content and can also purchase downloads of some XYZ titles.
- MathTVcoreMathTV is XYZ Textbooks' sister company hosting over 10,000 math tutorial videos. Every example in every XYZ Textbook is worked on video by multiple student tutors. The platforms are deeply integrated: MathTV videos are accessible in XYZ eBooks, via QR codes in printed textbooks, and included with All-Access Pass.
- XYZ HomeworkcoreXYZ Homework is XYZ Textbooks' online homework system that works in conjunction with XYZ Textbooks. It is included with the All-Access Pass at no additional cost and integrates with Canvas LMS for institutional customers.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
XYZ Textbooks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Pearson Education: Pearson publishes the most widely adopted college math textbooks (e.g., Beecher/Penna/Bittinger series) and bundles them with MyMathLab homework. It is the dominant incumbent in the same math-textbook category and serves overlapping community-college and university instructors.
- Cengage Learning: Cengage publishes college math titles (e.g., Rockswold, Larson) and bundles WebAssign as its online homework platform. It is a comparable incumbent with similar print-plus-digital-plus-homework packaging and institutional sales motion.
- McGraw-Hill Education: McGraw-Hill publishes the Sullivan and Aufmann math series and operates ALEKS, an adaptive learning and homework platform comparable to XYZ Homework. It competes head-to-head with XYZ in developmental math and college algebra adoptions.
- Wiley (specifically Knewton Alta and math titles): Wiley publishes college math textbooks and acquired Knewton's adaptive-learning technology for Knewton Alta, an affordable math courseware product. It overlaps with XYZ Textbooks' community-college affordability positioning and digital-first product motion.
Others
- RedShelf: RedShelf is an Inclusive Access distribution partner of XYZ Textbooks and a digital-course-materials platform serving higher-education institutions. It is a channel participant rather than a direct content competitor, but its reach determines how effectively XYZ can scale institutional access.
- VitalSource (Ingram): VitalSource is both an Inclusive Access distribution partner of XYZ Textbooks and a broader digital-textbook platform hosting many competing publishers. It is an ecosystem participant whose strategic direction materially affects XYZ's institutional channel.
Direct peers
- OpenStax (Rice University): OpenStax is the leading provider of free, open-licensed college textbooks, including a strong mathematics catalog covering college algebra, precalculus, statistics, and calculus. It directly competes with XYZ Textbooks on price-sensitive community-college math adoptions where affordability is the primary instructor selection criterion.
- Hawkes Learning: Hawkes Learning is a smaller, math-specialized publisher offering college math textbooks paired with an adaptive homework system, similar in product scope to XYZ's integrated ecosystem. It competes for the same price-sensitive community-college and developmental-math adoptions.
Emerging players
- Mathway / Chegg Math: Chegg (including Mathway) provides supplemental math problem-solving and tutoring services used by the same college math student demographic. It competes for student wallet share on the tutoring-and-help side of the learning journey that MathTV also addresses.
- Lumen Learning: Lumen provides affordable, OER-style courseware for college math and other subjects, often bundled with homework platforms. It overlaps with XYZ in targeting cost-conscious community colleges but competes more on customizable courseware than on a textbook-plus-video-plus-homework bundle.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
XYZ Textbooks social profiles
Digital presenceXYZ Textbooks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
XYZ Textbooks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
XYZ Textbooks subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
XYZ Textbooks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
XYZ Textbooks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about XYZ Textbooks
What does XYZ Textbooks do?
XYZ Textbooks publishes college-level mathematics textbooks for subjects from prealgebra through precalculus, distributed in printed paperback and loose-leaf formats. Each purchase is bundled with the All-Access Pass, an annual subscription providing 12-month access to the complete XYZ eBook catalog, over 10,000 MathTV tutorial videos, and the XYZ Homework online assessment system. The company also operates the MathTV video platform and XYZ Homework system as sister products, and delivers digital course materials through Inclusive Access partnerships with RedShelf and VitalSource for campus bookstores.
Is XYZ Textbooks a public or private company?
XYZ Textbooks is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was XYZ Textbooks founded?
XYZ Textbooks was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is XYZ Textbooks based?
XYZ Textbooks is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, United States, in the North America region.
How does XYZ Textbooks make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Textbook Sales (Printed) is the primary driver. The others are all-Access Pass Subscription, inclusive Access / Institutional Sales and wholesale Bookstore Sales.
Who are XYZ Textbooks's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Pearson Education, Cengage Learning, McGraw-Hill Education and Wiley (specifically Knewton Alta and math titles). Others are RedShelf and VitalSource (Ingram). Direct peers are OpenStax (Rice University) and Hawkes Learning. Emerging players are Mathway / Chegg Math and Lumen Learning.
Does XYZ Textbooks have an API?
No public API is recorded for XYZ Textbooks.
What industry is XYZ Textbooks in?
XYZ Textbooks's product category is Educational Mathematics Textbook Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGABAC, Business, Economics, Accounting & Management, with a secondary code of EDAGAEAB, Higher Education Digital Courseware & Modules. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 2731.