The dynamic duo behind ClassDojo, an app used for classroom behavior management, won the top prize -- $75,000 -- at the innovation challenge at Education Nation today.
The young masterminds behind ClassDojo were one of three groups, including Kickboard and TruantToday, who were brought to New York to test their products and pitch it to teachers, education leaders, and policy makers.
Zak Kukoff, the 16-year-old CEO of Truant Today, a mobile app that alerts schools and parents when students skip class, won the $15,000 second-place prize; and Jennifer Medbery, founder and CEO of Kickboard took home $10,000.
The judges congratulated each of the teams for their ingenuity and vision, but said they chose ClassDojo because the developers understand the consumer insight, and the fact that it was created to help build student character, reinforcing positive behavior.
Liam Don, one of the co-founders, said they plan to grow the team within the next six months. At the moment, the team consists of Don and Sam Chaudry.