The only AI-powered Learning Management System (LMS) built for distraction-free E-Ink devices
We're building the first of its kind AI-powered learning management system designed for e-ink devices like the SuperNote or Remarkable. Bookish gives schools the option to provide students with distraction-free technology while giving teachers, parents, and administrators visibility into the learning process, not just the outputs.
The Problem: The Human Cost of Modern Learning Tools
"Technology is underdelivering on its promise to improve education."
- Dan, Angel Investor
Students: Distracted by devices, shortcut thinking with AI
Teachers: Overloaded by admin work, losing visibility into learning
Parents: Disconnected, unsure where kids need help
Voices from the Field
“Students are relying on AI to complete their work, and teachers are losing visibility into how they learn. Schools are under pressure to adopt technology that isn’t built around how students think and grow.”
— Tom, Former Superintendent (13 years)
“Most classroom technology is not built for meaningful learning. It fosters distraction, encourages information gathering over knowledge building, and is nearly impossible to monitor. Teachers are exhausted; parents frustrated; students dependent.”
— Dan, Former Superintendent, Catholic School Leader (25 years)
Why Now?
AI at Fever Pitch
AI is flooding classrooms faster than schools can adapt. Teachers are exhausted by tools that manage symptoms, not solve root problems.
AI Insights at Scale
New AI tools make it possible to see how students learn—bringing real-time visibility and actionable insight into the learning process.
E-Ink Patents Expired
A 20-year monopoly ended in 2024, unlocking affordable, distraction-free devices built for focus.
Founders (Over Decade of Friendship, Business, Teaching, and Tech Experience)
Joseph Rooney, CEO - Business and Teaching Experience
MBA, BA, Franciscan University
  • Senior Program Manager at Amazon, operations, global change management, organizational design
  • Adjunct Professor at Franciscan University's Business Department at Undergraduate and MBA Levels
  • Built first proof-of-concept prototype of Bookish (on paternity leave after his fourth child)
Jonathan Login, CPO/CTO - Ed-Tech and Software Experience
BA, Franciscan University
  • Senior Business Analyst in the financial services field
  • Fintech automation, solution engineering, system architecture, software consulting
  • Produced virtual professional development events for 14k+ users in the ed-tech sector
  • Built LMS dashboard and back-end infrastructure for Bookish
Traction Since July 2025
July
Working Software: Version 1 of the Bookish LMS product completed with device-to-cloud sync and direct submissions.
August
Pilot Launched: Graduate philosophy class at Franciscan University (10 of 12 students opted in).
September
Funding & Patent: $15K raised via post-money SAFEs; $50K commitment for non-provisional patent filing.
October
LMS Dashboard: Teacher dashboard with AI-driven insights and reduced admin load.
Upcoming
Growth: AI Builders Conference (Rome) and Spring pilot classes in classical liberal arts schools.
Our Unique Insights (And Controversial Opinions)
AI is Both Friend & Foe
While AI provides access to knowledge, overuse harms learning processes (MIT: Your Brain on ChatGPT).
Education = Formation
Learning is about cultivating wisdom, not just information gathering.
Teachers Matter Most
Human mentorship is more critical than ever in the age of AI, providing invaluable guidance.
Students Want Focus
Learners need (and desire) distraction-free environments for deep work.
Go-to-Market and Revenue Model
Our strategy focuses on building lasting relationships with schools for recurring revenue streams.
Customer Relationships
Long-term school partnerships built on measurable learning outcomes and teacher support.
Revenue Streams
Annual Software licenses, analytics subscriptions, and device sales (~$500 per unit, which is the approximate spend for iPads).
Average device refresh cycle in schools: 3–5 years.
Key Partnerships
Classical and liberal arts school networks.
Curriculum publishers, hardware partners, and AI collaborators.
Ed-Tech Market (The Market is Large and Growing)
Global Ed-Tech market size projected to grow from $163.49B in 2025 to $348.41B by 2030
The Ed-Tech market is segmented into Hardware, Software, Content, and Services, with Software representing the largest portion of spending.
What's Driving the Growth?
Global Ed-Tech growth is driven by rapid advances in AI, expanding digital infrastructure, and increasing demand for flexible, personalized, and scalable learning across K–12 and higher education.
U.S. Ed-Tech Market by the Numbers
98K
Public Schools
30K
Private Schools
3.7M
K-12 Teachers
57M
K-12 Students
This is the primary metric for unit economics and potential revenue
Total Addressable Market (TAM): U.S. K–12 Education
U.S. K–12 Education Market Overview
  • Includes public, private, homeschool students
  • Represents the total addressable revenue reach of Bookish by market segment
  • Estimated average selling price of $500 per device, which is approximate the iPad cost in schools
Revenue by Market Segment
  • Homeschool 3.1M students → $1.55 Billion TAM
  • Private: 4.7M students → $2.35 Billion TAM
  • Public: 49.1M students → $24.55 Billion TAM
Total Addressable Market: ~57 Million students at $28.45 Billion ($500/Device)
Total Addressable Market by Segment Size and Revenue ($Billions)
Ideal Customer Profile (ICP): Classical & Liberal Arts K–12
Strategic Importance
This segment is our ideal beachhead market. These schools are philosophically aligned with our mission, and quick to adopt innovative solutions.
Profile & Pain Points
Private and homeschool, mission-driven schools grounded in classical and liberal arts education. They value deep reading, handwriting, and moral formation but face challenges with mainstream devices that distract from focus, promote AI dependence, and reduce visibility into how students think and write.
Market Size
Approximately 300,000 students across ~2,000–3,000 schools
≈0.5% of total U.S. K–12 population
Revenue Potential
At an average selling price of $500 per device, this segment represents roughly $150M in total addressable opportunity.
The Ask: Pre-Seed Round ($476K)
This round funds classroom pilots, core IP protection, sales readiness, and 12 months of operating runway leading to product launch.
$15K — Pilot Class - Funded
Launch one model classroom and collect teacher and student feedback.
$50K — Method Patent Filing - Funding Committed
File the first patent for Bookish’s on-device learning and AI feedback method.
$11K — Current Burn Coverage - Funded
Maintain core operations for 12 months.
$185K — Deploy to Private Classical Schools
Implement Bookish in 3–5 schools and gather pilot data.
$35K — Demonstrate Key Metrics in a Classroom Study
Measure student focus, writing engagement, and teacher efficiency.
$180K — Refine Product & Launch V2: Market Launch Readiness
Incorporate pilot results, improve device integration, and prepare for market launch.
Why 'Bookish'?
We chose the name Bookish because it’s memorable, pithy, and captures what we’re trying to do.
Fond of Books & Ideas
“Bookish” refers to a person who is fond of books and reading, someone drawn to pages, words, and ideas. Someone who engages in the learning process with vigor and enthusiasm.
Slower, Distraction-Free Learning
It points to a slower, distraction-free kind of learning built on quiet focus. We can choose to give students devices that make education more human, protect attention, and enable deep learning. A little less impersonal, a little more Bookish.
Paper-Like/Book-Like Experience
E-ink tablets are grounded, low tech, quiet, and calm. They are a paper-like and book-like experience. They are Book-ish.