More than 65% of U.S. students are not reading at grade level, and this early struggle often snowballs into broader academic difficulties. But Ignite Reading—a leading provider of 1:1 virtual reading tutoring—is determined to flip the script by ensuring children become fluent readers by the end of first grade. With a new $36.75 million investment, Ignite is set to scale its impact and help even more young learners succeed.

Backed by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, along with Owl Ventures, Emerson Collective, and the College Board, this funding will allow Ignite Reading to expand its reach, grow its professional team, and improve its technology platform. CEO Jessica Reid Sliwerski emphasized how critical early literacy is: “If students achieve reading fluency by the end of first grade, 83% will stay on grade level by third grade. This investment brings us closer to reaching 1 million first graders and solving the national literacy crisis.”

Why First Grade Reading Fluency Matters

Reading proficiency by the end of first grade sets students on the path for long-term academic success. Research shows that if children fall behind in reading by third grade, they are far more likely to struggle across other subjects. Unfortunately, many children miss out on key reading skills—like phonics and decoding—in the early years, putting them at a disadvantage.

This gap is where Ignite Reading makes a difference. The company provides 15-minute daily, one-on-one virtual tutoring sessions that focus on each child’s specific reading challenges. This tailored approach helps children build the skills they need to read confidently.

The results speak for themselves. In a study by the American Institutes for Research, the percentage of students hitting reading benchmarks jumped from 11% to 45% after just 14 weeks of tutoring with Ignite. That’s four times the progress typically seen in traditional classrooms.

How Ignite Reading Works

At the heart of Ignite Reading’s success is its team of expert literacy tutors. Schools partner with Ignite to integrate these virtual tutors into the school day, ensuring students receive targeted instruction without disrupting regular lessons. Tutors focus on closing foundational reading gaps—like blending sounds or decoding unfamiliar words—through brief, daily, 1:1 sessions.

Here’s a breakdown of the process: 

– 15-minute sessions every day during school hours.

– Personalized instruction for each student based on their unique needs.

– Tutors follow Science of Reading methods to teach phonics, decoding, and fluency.

This focused, individualized approach ensures that students double their expected reading progress—with some making two weeks of growth for every week in the program. The program has been successful across diverse groups, including multilingual learners, students with IEPs, and those from low-income backgrounds.

Expanding Impact Across the U.S.

With the new funding, Ignite Reading aims to expand its reach to serve more schools and districts. The company is already working with thousands of students across 16 states, including California, Texas, New York, Arkansas, and Missouri. Recently, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Ohio selected Ignite as an approved tutoring vendor, signalling growing demand for its program.

For teachers, Ignite’s program offers much-needed relief. By providing students with daily, individualised instruction, the program allows teachers to focus on other aspects of classroom learning, ensuring no one falls through the cracks.

Greg Shell from Goldman Sachs Alternatives, which led the investment round, praised the company’s impact: “Ignite Reading has successfully made personalized daily tutoring a reality. We’re excited to support their mission of scaling this model to help even more students and families.”

What’s Next for Ignite Reading?

With $36.75 million in new funding, Ignite Reading plans to:

– Expand its team of reading specialists and virtual tutors.

– Enhance its technology platform to better meet student needs.

– Increase partnerships with more schools and districts nationwide.

Co-founder Evan Marwell is optimistic about the road ahead. “Our goal is to make Ignite the first choice for schools looking for literacy intervention,” he said. “This funding allows us to scale up and work with more teachers, parents, and school leaders to ensure struggling readers don’t fall behind.”

Personalized Tutoring That Works for Everyone

Ignite Reading’s model is designed to help students from all walks of life. Whether a child speaks multiple languages, has a learning disability, or comes from a low-income family, the program ensures that every student receives the personalized support they need to thrive.

 

And it works during the school day, so all students—regardless of access to outside resources—can benefit from the focused reading help they need. No late-night homework battles, no need for extra private tutoring, just 15 minutes of high-impact instruction built into each day.

A Bright Future for Early Literacy

Ignite Reading’s mission is simple: ensure every child becomes a fluent, confident reader by third grade. With a proven model and the backing of top investors, the company is poised to make a lasting difference in the fight against illiteracy.

For parents, teachers, and school leaders frustrated by the lack of effective reading support, Ignite Reading offers a hopeful solution—and with this new funding, their impact is only just beginning.