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Climate learning gets a boost from dragons
A UK startup has secured backing from multiple investors after pitching an innovative AI-driven climate education game on the show Dragons Den
A British EdTech startup bringing climate education into the classroom through gameplay has won a rare triple investment on Dragons’ Den.
Brainspark Games, founded by Reedah El Saie, secured £10,000 each from Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden and Touker Suleyman after presenting her AI-driven learning platform.
The company is developing what it says will be the UK’s first climate GCSE game, aligned with the Department for Education’s Natural Sciences curriculum. Built with researchers from the University of Oxford, University College London and the University of Liverpool, and part-funded by Innovate UK’s Design for Net Zero programme, the game uses virtual missions and real-world challenges to build climate literacy and encourage sustainable habits.
“I was surprised at how impressed all of the tycoons were, and I’m delighted to have been offered investment from not one, but three of them,” said El Saie, an entrepreneur and mother of three. She added that Meaden was “extremely enthusiastic” about the educational impact, while Davies connected with her mission as a parent. Suleyman’s backing will help the company develop branded merchandise.
Brainspark specialises in culturally inclusive, neurodiverse-friendly educational games across subjects from English to biology. With the new investment, the team aims to accelerate production of primary and I-GCSE titles and expand its mission to help children from all backgrounds and abilities learn through play.
According to research by Brainspark Games, 35% of children are disengaged from learning, whilst over 91% of children in the UK play games, highlighting the potential for game-based learning.
Main image: Brainspark’s founder Reedah El Saie (centre) with Dragons Sara Davies (left) and Deborah Meaden (right). Credit: Reedah El Saie
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