SmartPath Awarded VELA Education Fund Grant to Advance Homeschool Innovation

Austin, TX — April 22, 2025 — SmartPath, a platform building tools to help families navigate homeschooling, has been awarded a Micro Grant from the VELA Education Fund. The grant highlights SmartPath’s role in creating practical, parent-first solutions for a growing number of families choosing to educate outside the traditional system.

Founded by Jonathan Chizick and Robert Gamble, SmartPath is focused on removing friction for families navigating homeschooling, from selecting curricula and resources to finding trusted support. The platform’s tools are designed to bring more clarity and momentum to a process that can often feel overwhelming.

“Homeschooling is growing rapidly, and we believe the outcomes speak for themselves – kids thrive when learning is personalized and aligned with their family’s values,” said Chizick, SmartPath’s CEO and co-founder. “Our goal is to give families the clarity and tools they need to make informed decisions about their child’s education. We’re not building for the system. We’re building for real families who want something better.”

SmartPath’s first tool, the Curriculum Matcher, launched earlier this year. It provides families with a curated list of course recommendations based on their child’s learning needs, values, and routines. Now, with support from the VELA grant, SmartPath is expanding its platform to include a homeschool curriculum marketplace. In this curated space, families can explore curricula and read trusted reviews, and eventually, will expand to include home education providers.

VELA’s Micro Grant program supports founders reimagining how learning happens, especially those building outside traditional schools. The program backs entrepreneurs who are designing new paths for education that are flexible, community-driven, and centered around learners.

As homeschooling continues to grow, now serving over 3.7 million students in the U.S., SmartPath is focused on helping families make thoughtful, informed decisions without stress. The company’s next product, the SmartPath Homeschool Marketplace, is expected to launch later this year.

###

About SmartPath

SmartPath builds tools that help families navigate homeschooling with greater clarity, confidence, and support. Founded by Jonathan Chizick and Robert Gamble, SmartPath’s mission is to make home education more accessible and empowering for families. The platform helps parents make informed decisions about how and what their children learn, starting with curricula and expanding to the full home education journey. Learn more at www.smartpath.school.