Mindshapes

Mindshapes
Company typePrivate
IndustryInteractive Learning
Electronic Publishing
Online Education
Educational Software
HeadquartersLondon, UK
Key people
Shukri Shammas (Chairman and Co-Founder)
Chris Michaels (co-CEO)
Nina Pustilnik (co-CEO)
Sami Lababidi (CTO and Co-Founder)
Christian Dorffer (CIO and Co-Founder)
Tareq Naqib (CFO and Co-Founder)
ProductsMy Story World
Websitehttp://www.mindshapes.com

Mindshapes is an interactive learning company that creates virtual worlds and apps that help children and adults learn through gameplay. Founded in October 2010,[1] the company is headquartered in London and has offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco.[2] Mindshapes’ products include educational apps for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch for children aged 2–12,[3][4] as well as their flagship product My Story World[5]

Mindshapes secured $5 million (£3.1 million) of Series A funding in November 2011 from the company’s five founders and unnamed angel investors.[6]

Company Background

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Mindshapes is led by co-CEOs Chris Michaels and Nina Pustilnik.[7] Other notable staff include Chairman Shukri Shammas; CTO George Taylor, "Chief Ninja" Sami Lababidi; CIO Christian Dorffer; and CFO Tareq Naqib.[8] Shammas and Lababidi were two of the four co-founders of Playfish, which was acquired by Electronic Arts in November 2009.[9]

Products

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Mindshapes looks to “promote learning through a fusion of gaming and educational principles”.[10] The company has a team of advisors specialising in education, including Professor Paul Harris at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.[11] Mindshapes also partners[12] with charities such as the National Literacy Trust.

Mindshapes has published a range of educational children’s apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. Aside from My Story World,[13] their apps include The Opposites;[14] Casper’s Scare School;[15] Lingo Zoo;[16] Meteor Math;[17] Hickory Dickory Dock;[18] Jack and the Beanstalk by Mindshapes;[19] Jellytoons Toddler Skills: Bobo’s Birthday Challenge [20] and Tap-a-Tune.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Ingrid Lunden, paidContent:UK, 1 November 2011, http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-education-app-publisher-mindshapes-raises-5-million-inks-content-deals/, retrieved 30 January 2012
  2. ^ Sakuraoka-Gilman, Matt. "Educational game developer Mindshapes receives $5 million in series A funding". pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  3. ^ Andy Penfold, Mobile Marketing, 1 November 2011, http://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/content/mindshapes-secures-5m-investment, retrieved 30 January 2012
  4. ^ "Mindshapes talks kids' apps, character creation and iPad education". The Guardian. 2011-09-19. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  5. ^ My Story World, http://www.appsplayground.com/apps/2013/05/02/mindshapes-my-story-world-ipad/, retrieved 02 May 2013
  6. ^ Dredge, Stuart (2011-11-01). "UK firm Mindshapes raises £3.1m to make its play in the kid-apps market". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  7. ^ "Mindshapes appoints new joint CEOs in executive shuffle". Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  8. ^ Ingrid Lunden, mocoNews.net, 1 November 2011, http://moconews.net/article/419-education-app-publisher-mindshapes-raises-5-million-inks-content-deals/, retrieved 23 February 2012
  9. ^ Kane, Yukari Iwatani. "EA to Cut 17% of Staff and Buy Playfish". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  10. ^ Lynch, Gerald (2011-12-19). "Mindshapes: Bringing learning to life through apps and play". Tech Digest. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  11. ^ "Faculty and Staff Directory". Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  12. ^ Mindshapes partners, http://www.mindshapes.com/partners/, retrieved 23 February 2012
  13. ^ "iTunes", 2 May 2013, https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/my-story-world/id633414580?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D2, retrieved 2 May 2013
  14. ^ Geek Dad Blog, 9 January 2012, http://geekdad.daddyforever.com/mindshapes-dictionary/, retrieved 23 February 2012
  15. ^ "148Apps » iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and iPod touch App Reviews and News | 148Apps". www.148apps.com. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  16. ^ Mummy’s Space, 20 October 2011, http://www.mummysspace.com/2011/10/review-of-lingo-zoo.html, retrieved 23 February 2012
  17. ^ Forbeck, Matt. "Meteor Math for iOS Makes Math Fast and Fun". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  18. ^ "Best Apps for Kids: Curated App Lists, & App Reviews". Best Apps For Kids. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  19. ^ Kelly, James Floyd. "Trying Out Digital Storybooks With a 4-Year-Old, Part 1: Jack and the Beanstalk". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
  20. ^ Stuart Dredge, Apps Playground, 17 March 2011, http://www.appsplayground.com/apps/2011/03/17/jellytoons-wants-to-train-your-toddler-on-iphone-and-ipad/, retrieved 23 February 2012
  21. ^ BlogByBaby, 7 January 2011, "Blog by baby: Mindshapes Tap-A-Tune ipad app". Archived from the original on 2012-01-16. Retrieved 2012-02-23. , retrieved 23 February 2012
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