In a time when it’s nearly impossible to confirm whether a student used ChatGPT or another AI tool to complete their writing. A new solution is gaining ground. San Francisco-based AI edtech startup Brisk has just secured $15 million in funding. Aiming to help educators detect AI-generated writing while streamlining lesson planning, grading, and more.
The startup offers a Chrome extension packed with over 40 AI-powered tools designed to support both teachers and students. These tools can automatically generate lesson plans, quizzes, and presentations. They also help tailor assignments for different learning levels, speed up grading, and provide customized feedback.
At the heart of the platform is Brisk’s student writing inspector. Unlike other detection tools that try to label content as AI-written, Brisk uses a smarter approach. It records a student’s on-screen activity, then plays it back in fast-forward, flagging copy-paste behaviors or anything out of the ordinary. Teachers can then decide whether it’s AI-generated or just out-of-character work.
Founder and CEO Arman Jaffer, who previously spent five years at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, wants to change how schools think about tech. “The average teacher in the U.S. uses over 140 different edtech tools in a school year. But most of those tools aren’t built for AI,” he said. “We’re building an AI-native edtech stack from the ground up.”
Since its $5 million seed round in September 2024, Brisk has experienced explosive growth. The platform’s user base has multiplied fivefold, and its revenue soared 40 times in 2024 alone—though it started from zero. Today, Brisk is used in over 2,000 schools across 100 countries. As of February 2025, one in five K–12 teachers in the U.S. had installed the Chrome extension.
Leading this latest funding round is Bessemer Venture Partners, joined by existing backers Owl Ventures, South Park Commons, and Springbank Collective. The new capital will be used to expand Brisk’s toolset. And integrate the platform with other ecosystems, including Microsoft tools—a feature expected to roll out in fall 2025.
Despite the debate surrounding AI’s role in education, teachers seem eager to embrace it—especially when it saves time and improves outcomes. One of Brisk’s most popular tools, Targeted Feedback, reads student essays in Google Docs and generates comments aligned with age levels and grading rubrics. Before students see the feedback, teachers can review and edit the suggestions to maintain quality control.
Brisk’s philosophy isn’t to replace teachers—it’s to support them. As AI continues to seep into every part of education, startups like Brisk are helping schools adapt without sacrificing human judgment. “Educators aren’t just tolerating AI—they’re seeking it out,” said Kent Bennett of Bessemer. “AI has made it possible to solve challenges that older software couldn’t touch.”
Over the coming months, Brisk plans to launch a standalone web platform to create a more cohesive user experience. This shift will allow educators to work entirely within Brisk’s environment, with new resources and interactive tools tailored for the classroom.
The startup is also moving toward more multimodal learning. Soon, students will be able to submit image-based assignments alongside written work. A podcast feature is also in development, which will allow the platform to convert documents into audio summaries—helping diverse learners absorb material in different formats.
As schools continue navigating budget cuts and digital transformation, tools like Brisk are positioned to make a lasting impact. It’s clear that AI edtech startup Brisk is not just riding the wave—it’s helping steer it.
