Moxie (Jessica Parker) vs TutorSmith (Austin Ketola): Tweener Madness Battle of the EdTechs!

Who’s Moving On in the Battle of EdTech?

Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, where 8 startups go head-to-head for a $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund! This week, two edtech startups take the stage in a battle of AI-driven learning solutions—but only one will move on to the next round.

The Contenders

🔹 Moxie (Jessica Parker) – An AI-powered research writing platform that helps graduate students, faculty, and researchers streamline the writing and revision process while maintaining academic integrity. With a growing user base and institutional partnerships, Moxie is poised to disrupt the way research is conducted and reviewed.
🔗 Learn more about Moxie

🔹 TutorSmith (Austin Ketola) – A game-based, AI-driven learning platform designed to personalize student learning experiences and help teachers identify knowledge gaps in real-time. With a vision of transforming K-12 education, TutorSmith is building the next generation of adaptive learning tools.
🔗 Learn more about TutorSmith

Key Highlights

🎤 Jessica’s Pitch (Moxie)

• Tackles the growing crisis in research quality and the inefficiencies in the academic writing process.
• AI-powered writing feedback preserves academic integrity while improving research outcomes.
• Strong traction with institutional partnerships and 8,000 users.
• Challenges: Expanding reach beyond early adopters and refining go-to-market strategy.

🎤 Austin’s Pitch (TutorSmith)

• Addresses the achievement gap by providing personalized, gamified learning experiences.
• Uses AI to create adaptive learning pathways for students and provide teachers with real-time insights.
• Early-stage but ambitious vision to revolutionize education.
• Challenges: Selling into K-12 schools is notoriously difficult, and scaling requires funding and a strong team.

Selection Committee Insights

💡 Jenn Summe: Moxie has a clear go-to-market strategy and paying customers, while TutorSmith has a big vision but needs more proof of traction.
💡 Tobi Walter: The path to commercialization is clearer for Moxie, but TutorSmith's potential impact on education is massive.
💡 Lister Delgado: TutorSmith’s long-term vision is compelling, but Moxie has a solid foundation and is already generating revenue.

Who Will Move On? 🏆

After a tough deliberation, one company takes the next step toward the $25K prize. Which startup secured the win? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

🔗 Visit Tweener Madness

Today's Selection Committee:

• Jenn Summe (Primordial Ventures) – LinkedIn
• Tobi Walter (Cofounders Capital) – LinkedIn
• Lister Delgado (IDEA Fund Partners) – LinkedIn

📌 Timestamps
(00:00:35) – Host Scot Wingo introduces the first-round matchup: Moxie vs. TutorSmith and welcomes the selection committee.
(00:01:27) – Jessica Parker (Moxie) pitches her AI-driven research writing platform, addressing academic integrity and inefficiencies in the research process.
(00:09:47) – Judges begin Q&A with Jessica, diving into Moxie’s origins, go-to-market strategy, competitive landscape, and potential exit opportunities.
(00:18:25) – Austin Ketola (TutorSmith) pitches, introducing his vision for a gamified, A