[Baltimore, MD / Kathmandu, Nepal – Oct 29, 2025] — Storytime AI, a personalized literacy and storytelling platform, and Canopy Nepal, an education‑focused social enterprise known for its innovative storytelling curriculum Katha Bunaun (“Weaving Stories”), have announced a new partnership to expand creative learning opportunities for students across Nepal.

Canopy’s Katha Bunaun program transforms classrooms into spaces for creativity and expression through interactive sessions where students craft and share their own stories – exploring identity, empathy, communication, and critical thinking along the way. Storytime AI will enhance this award‑winning physical curriculum by introducing a digital storytelling component that enables students to bring their original narratives to life through generative AI.

Through this collaboration, students will be able to:

• Create digitally illustrated and narrated versions of their own stories using generative AI.
• Experience their creations as interactive, read‑along books or videos.
• Share their work in an open, global library of students‑created stories, inspiring peers around the world.

“Katha Bunaun has always been about amplifying student voice, building confidence, and helping young learners express who they are through stories,” said Mohit Rauniyar, Founder and Chairperson of Canopy. “With Storytime AI, we can now extend that impact – allowing students to see their stories come alive while learning how to use AI safely and creatively.”

The partnership will launch in three schools across Nepal, reaching an initial 300-350 students as part of a pilot program before scaling to additional schools with the support of donors. Canopy Nepal’s network currently reaches nearly 23,000 students across 250 schools in grades 6-10, making this initiative a critical first step toward integrating AI literacy and creativity into classrooms nationwide.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Canopy Nepal to blend physical and digital storytelling in a way that celebrates culture, language, and student identity,” said Brian Carlson, CEO & Co‑Founder of Storytime AI. “Together, we’re showing how AI can be introduced safely and meaningfully – empowering young creators to imagine, build, and share stories that reflect their world.”

By combining Katha Bunaun’s storytelling-powered learning framework with Storytime AI’s adaptive, multilingual platform, this collaboration will provide students across Nepal with a safe, age‑appropriate introduction to AI – fostering creativity, confidence, and foundational digital fluency skills for the future.

Both Canopy Nepal and Storytime AI participated in this year’s Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition (EBPC), a prestigious competition hosted by Catalyst @ Penn GSE that supports mission-driven ventures that advance teaching and learning through bold, scalable solutions. 

“This partnership between Storytime AI and Canopy Nepal perfectly embodies what the Milken‑Penn EBPC is designed to inspire,” said John Gamba, Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) and Director of Innovative Programs at Catalyst @ Penn GSE. “At Catalyst, we believe innovation in education flourishes when global entrepreneurs come together to tackle big challenges. Seeing two alumni ventures collaborate to amplify student voices and accelerate literacy through technology is exactly the kind of impact we hope to foster.”

To support the expansion of this partnership, donors are invited to contribute to our GoFundMe campaign here: https://gofund.me/4a6a326a7

About Storytime AI

Storytime AI combines the Science of Reading with responsible AI to create personalized, culturally relevant literacy materials in 194 languages. The platform enables teachers and students to generate illustrated, narrated books, videos, and songs that reflect each learner’s identity and interests – bridging literacy and AI proficiency for the next generation. Learn more at www.storytimeaiapp.com. 

About Canopy Nepal

Canopy Nepal empowers underserved students to stay in school by combining scholarships with story-based learning that builds confidence, critical thinking, and lifelong skills. Through inclusive education and government partnerships, the organization works to reduce dropout rates and break cycles of poverty. Its Katha Bunaun program – delivered in partnership with teachers and local governments – is Nepal’s only storytelling curriculum designed to align with the national framework and give every child the space to imagine, reflect, and speak up. Learn more at www.canopynepal.com.