Upswing

Upswing is an educational technology company that provides a comprehensive student support platform for colleges and universities. Founded in 2013, the company's mission is to improve retention and graduation rates, particularly for non-traditional and historically marginalized students. Upswing's platform offers a range of services including tutoring, mental health support, advising, assignment review, and engagement tools, all accessible through a single, easy-to-use interface.

The company's flagship product is a holistic support system that brings on-campus and remote student resources online. This allows students to access academic and personal support services 24/7, regardless of their location. One of Upswing's key features is Ana, an SMS engagement tool that sends proactive messages to students with reminders, resource information, and encouragement.

Upswing's platform is designed to be flexible, allowing partner institutions to customize the combination of support resources to meet their specific needs. The company offers both its own tutors and the ability for institutions to use their campus tutors, providing 24/7 tutoring support. Additionally, Upswing has expanded its services to include teletherapy through a partnership with BetterMynd, addressing the growing mental health challenges faced by college students.

As of April 2024, Upswing had been providing services for 11 years, helping hundreds of thousands of students access online support. The company's impact is significant, with its platform generating additional retention for partner institutions and preventing thousands of students from dropping out. Upswing has partnered with various types of institutions, including HBCUs, HSIs, and community colleges, serving millions of students across the US.

Key customers and partnerships

Upswing has formed partnerships with numerous higher education institutions across the US. The company's client base includes 58 two-year institutions, 29 Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and 16 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Notable partners include North Carolina A&T State University, Richmond Community College, Winston-Salem State University, and Shaw University.

In April 2024, Upswing announced a partnership with BetterMynd, a teletherapy company, to incorporate online counseling into its holistic services platform. This collaboration aims to address the growing mental health challenges faced by college students by providing more accessible and diverse counseling options.