Introduction
Curriculum Companion Suites (CSS), a medium-sized consulting and software development company, is focused on making education more efficient for K-12 schools. CCS software is a virtual teacher assistant that aids in the education process. Students can access the central computer terminal in front of the classroom to follow along with the curriculum electronically.
The Company
CCS’ keys to success include CCS’ commitment to market knowledge and future potential direction for the educational process. CCS’ relationships also with many educational institutions.
Curriculum Companion Suites is a start-up company comprised of six executives and seventy-six employees. With 70 years of combined experience, the executives cover all functional areas. Two majority shareholders, Andrew Christiansen and David Fields, own 80% of the company. A minority stake is held by other investors. The company currently has no plans to become public. Most of the financing is raised internally. CSS is incorporated in the state of Oregon by the two majority shareholders.
Products
CCS offers educational software to support every grade level, starting in kindergarten and ending in 12th grade. These suites are developed in collaboration with major curriculum publishers with whom CCS has established strategic partnerships.
CCS provides ongoing support, including installation and ongoing consultation. These services are included in every software package purchased.
The Market
There are only a few competitors in the learning information system vendors segment. These companies provide software products, installation and systems integration services for schools from kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) in the United States. CCS competes mostly against more traditional methods for education, training, testing and such as pencil testing. CCS is also competing with companies that offer educational software products for schools, like International Business Machines Corporation, Apple Computer, Inc., Mattel, Inc.
Educational institutions and school districts have not been active in searching out technical enhancements to the educational process. CCS has often used a more push-type marketing strategy. Education has to be educated about how technical infrastructures can enhance learning.
Since only a handful of other companies are competing directly with CCS in this market, the company plans to develop a healthy level of market share, with a goal of 10% at the end of three years.
CCS targets urban/metropolitan schools as the best market to target, since this market has the highest revenue potential. In terms of technical logistics, customizations and software installs are more possible in this market. Profitability is thus much more probable in this market.
Partnerships have been built with many educational institutions and school district across the U.S. Significant investments have been made by CCS to research and understand the specific needs and potential enhancements to the current educational process.
Financial Considerations
CCS hopes to raise significant owner capital and borrow the same amount in a SBA 10-year guarantee loan. This financing will cover the bulk of the current funding.
CCS expects to generate large sales in the first year. The plan will continue to grow steadily in the second and third years.
1.1 Mission
Curriculum Companion Suites is a company that offers software curriculum suites to schools in K-12 across the U.S. CCS will offer solutions to schools that enhance their educational capabilities.
1.2 Keys of Success
These are the keys to success for CCS:
- The company’s commitment is to be vigilant about the current educational environment as well as the future direction of the educational process.
- CCS has relationships with many educational institutions and districts.