Three ex-Googlers create Sparkli to make learning for kids fun and engaging with AI technology
Lax Poojary, Lucie Marchand, and Myn Kang started Sparkli because they wanted their kids to have a better way to learn. Poojary shared, “Kids are very curious, and my son would ask me questions like how cars work or why it rains. I tried using AI tools like ChatGPT, but that was just too much text. Kids need to experience things.”
Before Sparkli, Poojary and Kang worked together on projects at Google. Marchand is Sparkli’s chief technology officer. She also helped create other projects at Google.
Poojary added that the way we share information has changed a lot. Instead of just showing a picture of Mars, Sparkli wants kids to actually interact with the idea of what Mars is like. They believe current education often misses modern topics, so Sparkli aims to teach kids skills like financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
The app allows kids to explore new topics or ask their own questions. It offers daily topics to keep learning fresh. They can listen to voices or read text, and it includes videos, quizzes, and games. The fun parts let kids have adventures without pressure, so they can learn at their own pace.
Sparkli makes all its learning materials quickly using AI. When kids ask questions, it can create a new learning experience in just two minutes. The team wants to make this even faster.
They also think about safety. While many AI tools have faced challenges, Sparkli aims to teach kids emotional intelligence. If a child asks about tough subjects, it encourages them to talk to their parents instead of giving wrong information.
Currently, Sparkli is working with over 100,000 students in some schools. They focus on children aged 5 to 12 and have tested their app in more than 20 schools last year.
Sparkli also helps teachers track progress and assign homework. Inspired by Duolingo, they want kids to enjoy learning and keep coming back. The app gives kids rewards for sticking with their lessons and has quest cards for learning different topics.
Poojary mentioned that teachers have given positive feedback. They find that using Sparkli helps create discussions in class and allows kids to explore topics further at home.
The startup plans to focus on schools for now but hopes to let parents download the app by mid-2026. They’ve raised $5 million in early funding from a Swiss firm. One partner, Lukas Weder, sees Sparkli as a way for kids to learn important things like financial literacy.
This information was shared on January 22, 2026.