The Landscape Is Changing—So Is the Way Educational Software Gets Built

Educational software for schools has traditionally been built from the top down—companies raise capital, build products in isolation, and then sell to schools with limited customization or input. While this model has brought innovation, it hasn’t always led to alignment with the real needs of educators.

At Pulse, we’re reimagining how educational software gets made—and who gets a voice in the process.

We’ve chosen to build Pulse without outside investors. Instead, we are growing through internal funding and the participation of mission-aligned schools who aren’t just customers—they’re collaborators. Together, we’re building a platform that is shaped by those who use it every day, focused on long-term impact rather than short-term growth.

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Why We’re Building Pulse With Our Own Funding—and Yours

Rather than framing our story as “anti-investor,” we’ve embraced a model that is intentionally co-created and community-funded. Our approach allows us to build educational software for schools that is truly collaborative, affordable, and purpose-driven. Here’s what that means for you.

You Help Shape What Gets Built

When your school joins Pulse, you’re not adopting an off-the-shelf solution—you’re helping create one.

Our early partners are actively involved in:

• Shaping the product roadmap through feedback sessions and surveys
• Piloting new features before full rollout
• Requesting integrations and modules that reflect their unique goals and culture

This co-creation model ensures the software reflects actual classroom challenges, administrative workflows, and strategic priorities. Your voice matters—and directly impacts what we build next.

“Pulse doesn’t assume what we need. They ask. And then they build it—with us.” – A current school partner

We Keep Costs Accessible and Predictable

By growing Pulse through our own capital and revenue from partner schools, we’ve been able to prioritize accessibility over aggressive pricing models.

Here’s how our funding structure benefits schools:

• No bloated investor returns to satisfy means pricing stays mission-aligned
• Simple, transparent pricing—no upsells, hidden tiers, or costly upgrades
• Affordability for small and mid-sized schools, not just large districts

We’re committed to making Pulse an accessible tool for any school that wants to engage in thoughtful, outcome-driven work—regardless of size or budget.

We Focus on Mission, Not Market Trends

While many educational software companies build to scale fast and meet investor benchmarks, our pace is set by what schools actually need—not what the market dictates.

This gives us room to:

• Prioritize deep functionality over flashy features
• Listen closely to educators rather than racing to capture market share
• Stay flexible and iterative, improving the product in meaningful ways with each release

By staying mission-first, we ensure that every line of code, every design choice, and every support decision reflects our commitment to serving schools—faithfully and sustainably.

Pulse in Action: What Co-Creation Looks Like

We’ve embedded feedback and collaboration directly into our product development process.

Feedback Loops

Our team meets regularly with school leaders to review feedback, explore needs, and prioritize development based on urgency and value.

Pilot Testing

New features are tested by partner schools before they go live, so we can learn, refine, and make improvements grounded in real use.

Custom Requests

Schools can request tailored dashboards, tracking tools, and goal-setting frameworks aligned with their student development and strategic planning goals.

Iterative Growth

Because our users are also our funders, their needs guide not just the product—but the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Real Impact, Real Results

Here’s what our early co-creating schools are saying:

• “It feels like Pulse is a part of our team, not just a vendor.”
• “We’ve never had this level of input into software before.”
• “Finally, a platform that grows with us, not ahead of us.”

Educators are gaining access to software that adapts as they grow—and they’re playing a role in building a tool that will benefit schools everywhere.

Why Co-Creation Is the Future of Educational Software for Schools

At its core, education is about relationships, not transactions. We believe that software should reflect that same ethos—built in partnership, grounded in shared purpose, and shaped by the people it serves.

By avoiding outside funding and growing through a co-creative, customer-supported model, Pulse is:

• More responsive to real school needs
• More affordable for a wider range of institutions
• More sustainable for the long haul

This isn’t just a software project. It’s a movement to empower schools with tools they believe in—because they helped create them.

Who Pulse Is For

Pulse is built for:

• School administrators who want more than cookie-cutter dashboards
• Educators seeking meaningful ways to measure student growth and well-being
• Teams who want to track strategic goals, reflect on progress, and drive improvement from the inside out
• Schools that value partnership over transactional relationships

Whether you're a small independent school or a growing district, if you're looking for educational software for schools that invites your input and respects your budget, Pulse was made for you.

Join the Pulse Co-Creation Community

We’re looking for schools who are ready to help shape the next generation of education tools. If that’s you, let’s build something together.

• Schedule a Demo
• Apply to Become a Co-Creation Partner
• Read How Pulse Helps Teams Grow Together

Final Thoughts: Built With You, For You

Educational software for schools should never be built in isolation. At Pulse, we believe the best tools are created by listening, learning, and building in step with the people who use them.

That’s why we’ve chosen to fund Pulse differently. Not to avoid something—but to prioritize you.

Let’s build the future of education—together.

Sign up for our Early Access Program

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