BoodleBox, a collaborative AI platform for higher education, has raised $5 million in a seed round co-led by Dogwood Ventures and Osage Venture Partners. Additional investors include JFFVentures, ECMC Group, and City Light Capital. The platform provides unified access to multiple AI models including GPT-5.1, Claude and Gemini through a single interface. Its proprietary token-reduction technology cuts AI operating costs by up to 96% whilst maintaining FERPA compliance. Since launching in Q4 2024, BoodleBox has been adopted by over 1,200 higher education institutions and 100 workforce teams. The funding will support platform expansion and enhanced capabilities. The company addresses a critical gap: whilst 66% of employers require AI capabilities, only 24% of low-income students have access to AI tools. BoodleBox is relocating its headquarters to Colorado Springs.

ECMC Group launches the Bold Path Fellowship to provide entrepreneurial onramps for under-resourced Twin Cities' residents. Program offers funding and mentoring to postsecondary students and graduates seeking to start their own business. MINNEAPOLIS - The path to becoming an entrepreneur requires time and capital - two assets difficult to come by for under-resourced individuals. Minneapolis-based ECMC Group and its affiliates today launched the Bold Path Fellowship to provide recent graduates in the Twin Cities with the resources they need to achieve their career goals. The Bold Path Fellowship, which is also available in Birmingham, Alabama, and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, is funded by the ECMC Group Education Impact Fund and ECMC Foundation. "Entrepreneurship is a growing postsecondary pathway for recent graduates that can lead to career and financial success; however, segments of our population are unable to explore that opportunity due to a lack of access to the resources that they need to support early-stage business development," said Joe Watt, managing director for the Education Impact Fund. "Given ECMC Group's vision to empower underserved communities to thrive through education, we are expanding the Bold Path Fellowship in the Twin Cities metro area to help break those barriers while also focusing on up-and-coming entrepreneurial ecosystems." Bold Path Fellows receive $120,000 in non-dilutive grant funding over two years. These funds are intended to serve as early "family and friends" funding, which is often unavailable for low-income founders and is critical to get their businesses off the ground. Bold Path Fellows will also have access to mentors from the local community to receive guidance and advice as they navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. "This program not only champions the potential of the entrepreneurs but also gives back to the community to foster economic growth in the surrounding area," said Jessica Haselton, managing director at ECMC Foundation. "While there are existing national programs that support founders, we believe there is power in a local approach." To anchor its place-based program strategy, local nonprofit ConnectUP! Institute, focused on economic development and entrepreneurship, is serving as a key strategic partner - helping to connect local postsecondary institutions, supporting organizations and community members. "We're absolutely thrilled to team up with the Bold Path Fellowship to give a real boost to founders with big ideas but limited resources," said Y. Elaine Rasmussen, CEO of ConnectUP! Institute. "Let's be honest, time and money are tough for everyone. But it's even harder for 'underestimated' founders - the ones juggling jobs while chasing their dreams. Our program will teach founders all the crucial fundamentals of finance, marketing and operations. When they leave our accelerators, they won't just have a super solid business foundation, but also the confidence and know-how to really hit the ground running and keep growing." To be considered, individuals must have completed a degree or credential (four-year college, community college or vocational program) within the last five years. Spring 2026 graduates are also eligible. Applicants must be residents of the greater Twin Cities area and launch their venture in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area. About ECMC Group ECMC Group is a nonprofit corporation focused on helping students succeed by creating, providing and investing in innovative educational opportunities. Headquartered in Minneapolis, ECMC Group and its family of companies provide financial tools and services, as well as funding for innovative programs to help students achieve their academic and professional goals. To learn more, visit www.ecmcgroup.org. Education Impact Fund The Education Impact Fund is a $250 million fund that aims to accelerate the transformation of America's postsecondary and workforce ecosystem by investing in innovative companies and collaborating with institutions, employers and communities toward a shared vision of improving education access and outcomes for underserved learners. To learn more, visit www.educationimpactfund.org. About ECMC Foundation ECMC Foundation is a national foundation whose North Star goal is to eliminate gaps in postsecondary completion by 2040. The Foundation's mission is to improve higher education for career success among underserved populations through evidence-based innovation. ECMC Foundation makes strategic grants and program-related investments to support both nonprofit and for-profit ventures, guided by a strategic framework that aims to advance systemic change by removing barriers to postsecondary completion; building the capacity of organizations, institutions and systems; and transforming the postsecondary ecosystem. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting www.ecmcfoundation.org.

Startup Kollegio AI raised $2.8M for its AI-powered college counseling service, bringing total funding to $3.55M. Founded by Senan Khawaja, Kollegio aims to bridge the counseling gap by offering free, personalized guidance to students, especially those from lower-income households. The platform uses AI to assist nearly 100,000 students with college applications. While it currently lacks a revenue model, future plans include charging institutions and expanding internationally.