AI education platform NZ: Kiwi startup raises $2.3m to tackle teacher burnout
A New Zealand-founded AI education platform NZ teachers are rapidly adopting is gaining global traction, with more than 12,000 educators across 130 countries now using the technology. The platform, Teacher’s Buddy, has secured $2.3 million in seed funding as it looks to expand further and address mounting pressure on teachers worldwide.
The raise, led by Auckland-based Soul Capital alongside Australian investor Giant Leap, signals growing confidence in AI-led solutions to one of education’s most persistent challenges: teacher burnout.
AI education platform NZ teachers are using to reclaim time
Teacher’s Buddy was developed by entrepreneurs Matt Abraham and Ben Sze to reduce administrative workload while improving the quality of teaching resources. The platform uses artificial intelligence to generate lesson plans, assessments, reports and personalised learning materials aligned with curriculum standards.
Teachers can tailor content to suit individual students, including those who are neurodiverse, learning English or requiring more advanced material. It also supports Te Reo preferences and aligns with Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
Data shows teachers using the platform save an average of two hours per day, freeing up time for direct engagement with students.
According to OECD education research, rising workloads and administrative pressure are key drivers of stress across global teaching systems, reinforcing the need for scalable solutions.
Burnout crisis driving demand for education technology
Research shows New Zealand teachers are working longer hours than the OECD average, with full-time teachers averaging 47.5 hours per week. One third report experiencing high levels of stress, with administrative burden cited as a major contributor.
Co-founder Matt Abraham says the platform was built to address these pressures directly.
“Our platform can adjust a lesson to support students who are falling behind and can also generate more advanced material for students who need a greater challenge which is something teachers are already having to manage manually within very limited time and resource,” he says.
“Educators are often expected to manage lesson planning, teaching and reporting in the same week and many feel they are unable to give personalised attention to students who need extra support.
“I created Teacher’s Buddy after having been on the board of trustees of my own kids’ school in Northland for almost a decade and seeing first-hand the types of challenges teachers and schools face. I am passionate about supporting the incredible work that teachers do and everything we are building is intended to support and strengthen teacher wellbeing.
“We can’t expect good student outcomes if we’re neglecting the people we put in charge of facilitating their learning. We need to give them the tools to succeed,” he says.
Investment signals shift in how education is delivered
Venture principal Jon Sandbrook from Soul Capital says the education sector is at a turning point.
“As impact investors we’re excited to see a direct line between Teacher’s Buddy and our impact priorities along with a highly scalable model”.
“The early adoption of the Teacher’s Buddy platform across so many countries demonstrates how urgent the need has become and that this marks a turning point in how education technology is built in New Zealand.
“We are backing Ben and Matt and the team because they have the clarity and discipline to deliver the model at scale, and we’re backing their solution because it empowers teachers to do what they do best – helping learners from all backgrounds and capabilities to realise their full potential,” says Sandbrook.
The platform has already seen uptake locally, with more than 25 schools across New Zealand adopting or trialling the system.
Next phase: scaling AI education platform NZ-wide and globally
The company is preparing to launch the next version of its platform, which will include personalised professional development tools for teachers.
Future development will also allow publishers and educational providers to upload and license curriculum-aligned content directly into the platform, combining trusted resources with AI-driven delivery.
The business is targeting growth to more than 30,000 teachers and 200 school partners across New Zealand, Australia and the UK within the next 12 months.
While global expansion is a priority, Abraham says New Zealand remains central to the company’s long-term strategy.
“We were founded here, and teachers in New Zealand face the same workload pressures seen globally. We want Teacher’s Buddy to become a permanent part of the education landscape, supporting schools across the country for years to come.”
National media coverage highlights growing momentum
The story has gained traction across major outlets including NZ Herald reflecting strong public interest in how AI is reshaping education and supporting teachers under pressure.
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