Lightspeed Systems

Founded in 1999, Lightspeed Systems develops content filtering, mobile device management, and device monitoring software for K-12 schools. The company’s product suite includes Lightspeed Mobile Device Management launched in 2013; Lightspeed Filter, a filtering and device monitoring software that uses artificial intelligence to block inappropriate, harmful, and unknown sites, images, and video, and aids compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), launched in 2017; Lightspeed Classroom Management, software that monitors and controls content loaded on students’ devices during class, launched in 2018; Lightspeed Alert, which uses AI to monitor, interpret, and flag indications of self-harm or violence in students’ online interactions, including emails, Google docs, social media posts, web searches, Microsoft Teams and Meetings chats, launched in 2019; and Lightspeed Analytics, a tool that reports on apps and websites used in schools launched in 2019. As of February 2022, the company served more than 20 million students across 32,000+ schools in 39 countries, including 6,500 US school districts.

In February 2021, the company integrated its Lightspeed Alert and Lightspeed Classroom Management solutions with Microsoft Teams. Following the integration, Lightspeed Alert screens Microsoft Teams chat content, and Lightspeed Classroom Management allows teachers to view students, their screens, and online activity, set custom browsing rules and restrictions, send messages to the whole class or individual students, and share lesson URLs using a single interface. In April 2021, Lightspeed Systems launched Lightspeed Alert, a threat detection system to help schools detect self-harm, bullying, and violence. In May 2022, the company expanded the Lightspeed solutions suite with 1) Lightspeed SmartSync which allows syncing of lists and data sets; 2) Lightspeed SmartPolicy which allows districts to create policies with flexible hierarchical inheritance; and 3) Lightspeed Alert which offers expanded protection by scanning images for firearms and explicit content. 

In January 2022, the company acquired CatchOn, a learning analytics provider, for an undisclosed sum, allowing it to bolster its platform’s analytical capabilities. 

Funding and financials

In March 2022, the company secured an undisclosed amount of growth funding from Genstar Capital.