Adaptive AI study platform StudyStash has been acquired by edtech company Kortext. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
StudyStash was founded by Ben Ward and Jonathan Graham, who met while studying computer science at the University of Birmingham. They also worked together on PwC’s technology degree apprenticeship.
The idea for StudyStash started when the founders used their own course notes to create study materials. They later turned the idea into a business through the University of Birmingham’s Elevate incubator programme.
StudyStash uses AI to turn course content into personalised flashcards, practice tests, and podcasts. The platform adjusts to each student’s learning progress and helps them focus on areas where they need more practice.
The platform also helps lecturers and student support teams understand where students may need additional help. StudyStash can connect with learning management systems such as Canvas, Blackboard, and Moodle.
The University of Birmingham was StudyStash’s first customer. The platform is now used by tens of thousands of students at more than 160 institutions across the UK, Europe, the US, and Africa, including California State University, Minnesota State, Colorado State, the University of Oulu, and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.
StudyStash also works with California’s community college system and EAB, a US consultancy that works with more than 2,800 higher education institutions. Its advisory board includes senior figures from UCL, Imperial College London, and the University of Oxford.
Ben Ward, co-founder and CEO of StudyStash, said “the platform was initially created to address a problem he and Graham had encountered themselves. After seeing strong early interest and recognising its potential to support a wider group of learners, they decided to turn the project into their first venture:,Since launch, we’ve raised equity finance, scaled to 160+ institutions on three continents, broken into the US market and now been acquired by one of the largest e-learning providers in the field. We’ve proven we can build, sell and scale and now Kortext gives us the reach to drive StudyStash to reach its full potential.”
Founded in 2013, Kortext works with thousands of universities around the world. The company provides digital content, analytics, and AI-powered tools that support teaching, learning, and student engagement.
The acquisition brings StudyStash into Kortext’s portfolio of education technology products. It also helps Kortext expand its support for universities in the UK, North America, and other markets using AI in teaching and learning.
According to Kortext founder and CEO James Gray, “The future of educational AI will depend on solutions that institutions can trust and that can improve learning outcomes. StudyStash brings powerful capabilities that complement our existing strengths and accelerate our AI strategy, while extending our reach further into teaching and learning workflows. Together, we will help institutions embrace AI responsibly, support educators more effectively, and create richer, more personalised learning experiences that help students achieve their full potential.”
Following the acquisition, Ben Ward and Jonathan Graham will continue as CEO and CTO of StudyStash. The company will keep operating as a separate brand under their leadership.
Around half of StudyStash’s customers are already based in the US. As the company expands in the region, Ward and Graham are relocating to Silicon Valley to support its growth.
