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Workday acquires online learning company Zaption, will shut it down on September 30

Zaption.
Image Credit: Screenshot

Zaption, a startup with a website where teachers and companies can host videos or use existing videos for teaching purposes, today announced that it has been acquired by publicly traded human capital management software company Workday. The Zaption service will shut down on September 30. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Zaption’s website, iOS app, and Chrome app let teachers overlay questions on top of videos — from YouTube, Vimeo, and other sources — and then capture responses and run analytics on engagement data. There are many pre-built lessons and even entire courses of lessons on subjects like advanced placement (AP) U.S. history and middle school science. Competitors include EDpuzzle and PlayPosit.

“Workday serves some of the world’s largest organizations and educational institutions that are eager to have better, more engaging learning experiences. We are excited to expand our reach by rebuilding our technology as part of the fabric of Workday’s applications, including the highly anticipated Workday Learning,” the Zaption team wrote in a blog post.

Workday is not the most acquisitive software company. Previous deals include Upshot and Identified.


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Zaption started in 2012 and is based in San Francisco. Investors include NewSchools Venture Fund, Redcrest Enterprises, Scion Capital, and Telegraph Hill Capital.

In a statement last year, Zaption said that its service had more than 200,000 users and that it was building new tools while working with partners — including San Francisco Unified School District and free online course provider Canvas Network.