Storytime AI Named Semifinalist in 2025 Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition

Baltimore-based education technology startup using advanced AI to tackle the global literacy crisis through personalized storytelling competes for finalist spot in prestigious, well-funded University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education competition

Baltimore, MD – Storytime AI, an innovative platform using advanced AI to tackle the global literacy crisis through personalized storytelling, has been named a semifinalist in the 2025 Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition (EBPC).

Now in its 16th year, the EBPC is hosted by Catalyst @ Penn GSE, a global center for education innovation and impact at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE). The competition supports mission-driven ventures that advance teaching and learning through bold, scalable solutions.

Focused on one of the biggest challenges in education, Storytime AI empowers children, parents, and teachers to create personalized books and videos tailored to each child’s unique identity, interests, and learning needs. By making children the heroes of their own stories, Storytime AI fosters a deep love of reading while promoting literacy, social-emotional development, language learning, and cultural inclusivity.

With story creation available in 194 languages and access to a free library of 85,000+ books and videos, Storytime AI ensures high-quality educational content is accessible to all children, regardless of language, location, or background.

“By making literacy accessible, engaging, and tailored to each child, Storytime AI is helping close the literacy gap and reimagine the future of education,” said Brian Carlson, CEO & Co-Founder of Storytime AI. “We’re honored to be recognized by the EBPC and excited to accelerate our mission.”

Considered the most prestigious and well-funded competition of its kind, the EBPC attracts innovative education ventures from around the world. To date, the EBPC has awarded over $2 million dollars in cash and prizes. Winners and finalists have gone on to secure more than $200 million in funding.

Selected from hundreds of submissions across 56 countries, Storytime AI is one of 25 semifinalists. Finalists will be announced on August 20, and selected ventures will pitch live at the EBPC finals on September 11 in New York City during HolonIQ’s Back to School Summit.

The EBPC judging process is inclusive and rigorous, featuring input from educators, investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers. The competition is supported by the Michael & Lori Milken Family Foundation.

About Storytime AI

Storytime AI is an innovative platform harnessing advanced artificial intelligence to address the global literacy crisis through personalized storytelling that educates, entertains, and inspires. Storytime AI empowers parents, educators, and children to create custom, illustrated, read-along books and videos in over 194 languages. Designed to support literacy, language learning, and social-emotional development, the platform delivers culturally relevant, engaging content that can be used to improve learning outcomes both at home and in the classroom. With a growing library of more than 85,000 free books and videos, Storytime AI makes quality educational content accessible to learners around the globe. Learn more at storytimeaiapp.com.

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