Thinkist

What they do

CEO Jared Wells founded Thinkist in 2021 to address challenges in education that worsened during the pandemic. A peer tutoring platform, Thinkist partners with schools and higher education institutions serving underserved students.

Thinkist employs its peer tutoring method called MetaSocratic®, in which students learn to guide and engage their students, not just solve the problem for them.

“When students are embarrassed about not knowing an answer, they stop asking questions,” Jared says. “It shuts down their thinking. MetaSocratic® is about normalizing confusion as a springboard to questioning and inquiry.”

Named after the concept of “metacognition” (or thinking about thinking) and Greek philosopher Socrates’ method of question and answer, MetaSocratic® is designed to help students think critically, problem-solve, and collaborate—all through an intentional social/emotional framework.

According to Thinkist, tutoring should be about thinking more deeply and asking better questions, cementing learning and confidence far beyond the tutoring session.

According to Jared, peer tutoring can positively impact “students’ self-efficacy and self-perception of intelligence, as well as their relationships with their peers and teachers.”

“When peer tutors work on synthesizing and asking questions, students can learn to put the puzzles together themselves,” Jared says. “When students stop avoiding questions, possibilities open up.”

Thinkist is also working on an AI model designed to guide tutors and their student to ask better questions —showing the thinking process—rather than simply offering the solution.

The goal is to use AI to facilitate collaboration and conversation between tutors and tutees.

Why we invested

Thinkist works primarily with schools and institutions with underserved students disproportionately affected by accessibility challenges, particularly in low- or moderate-income communities. Thinkist prepares student tutors with training and materials. Because Thinkist works with schools and districts through local, state, and federal funding, there is no cost for students and their families.

By focusing on underserved communities, the company aims to improve the learning experiences of students who encounter challenges in accessing education.

Thinkist is in a fast growth and development stage as they build pilot programs for tutoring services to be implemented in San Diego and beyond. The company has been able to access grant funds that will allow them to expand their operations. While awaiting grant payments, Thinkist needs capital to sustain operations.