Popexpert

Popexpert is an online learning platform that allows users to connect face-to-face with experts in a variety of subject areas.[1] The experience all takes place on the Popexpert site, allowing users to book, pay, and video chat all from their accounts.[2] Not unlike Creativelive.com, Skillshare.com, and Lynda.com, Popexpert’s “Life, Work, and Play” categories are geared towards emotional intelligence and personal development.[3] Popexpert is currently based at 1020 Kearny Street in San Francisco, California.

Services

Popexpert connects experts with users through curated courses and one on one sessions.

Courses

In 2014, Popexpert began offering video classes by its cache of experts, jumpstarted by Carrie Hammer's "Role Models not Runway Models" master course [4][5] and Shauna Shapiro and Pediatrician Chris White's "Mindful Discipline" workshop.

Individual sessions

Experts in Meditation, Nutrition, Personal Style, Career Development, and many other disciplines can be found in Popexpert's Live, Work, and Play categories.[6] Sessions with experts typically last fifty minutes and offer a personalized experience.[7] They use a video platform that allows users to type and save notes for future study.[8] Notable experts include Ashton Kutcher, Latham Thomas, and Mikaela Reuben [9] among other celebrities and academics.

History

Popexpert was founded in 2012 by "Entrepreneur to watch"[10] Ingrid Sanders after a life changing sabbatical inspired her to try and change the world through education.[11][12] She was soon joined by Paypal co-founder Ken Howery.[13] After a year, the Popexpert team had developed relationships with over 2,000 of the best experts in EQ topics.[14] They raised a $50k seed round November 28, 2012 followed immediately by another $450k December 14, 2012. By May 21, 2013 Popexpert secured both $1.7M and $2M in funding for an overall total of $4.20M.[15] A sample of Popexpert's investors include Learn Capital, BoxGroup, Expansion Venture Capital, Ken Howery, Michael Chasen, Jonathan Segal, Capricorn Investment Group, David Tisch, Noah and Jonah Goodhart, Miki and Radha Agrawal, Mark Ein, Justin Dangel, Jeremy Hinman, Nivio founder Sachin Duggal,[16] and Mike Walsh.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Markel, Katrina. "Ingrid Sanders wants you to take a sabbatical to refresh your thinking" Silicon Prairie May 9, 2014. Retrieved on June 10, 2014.
  2. ↑ Swallow, Erica. "PopExpert Connects You With Online Video Advice From Experts Worldwide" Mashable October 16, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  3. ↑ Swallow, Erica. "3 Awesome Sites For Feeding Your Brain" American Express open forum September 11, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  4. ↑ Biggs, Claire. "Carrie Hammer's Real Role Model Challenge" Iamthatgirl.com Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  5. ↑ Moore, Christina. "Designer Spotlight: Carrie Hammer Fuses Beauty and Brains", Forbes, March 6, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ Fowler, Brandi. "Golden Globes Red Carpet Trend Alert: How to Get Glam Red Lips", E! Online, January 13, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  7. ↑ Israel, Shel. "Resurrecting Trust: Table of Contents", Forbes, May 27, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  8. ↑ Swallow, Erica. "PopExpert Connects You With Online Video Advice From Experts Worldwide" Mashable October 16, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  9. ↑ Grossberg, Josh. "Ashton Kutcher is a PopExpert: Star Giving Face-to-Face Career Advice for $5!", E! Online, November 5, 2013. June 11, 2014.
  10. ↑ Iliff, Rebekah. "SXSW's Entrepreneurs to Watch", Entrepreneur, March 17, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  11. ↑ Soto, Jorge. "PopExpert CEO: Entrepreneurship with Intention", Sales4Startups.org, December 21, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  12. ↑ Sanders, Ingrid. "Find a Sabbatical at Home or Away", Huffington Post October 2, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  13. ↑ Bruzzese, Anita. "On the Job: Hire experts without hefty consultant's fee", USA Today, February 2, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  14. ↑ "popexpert, the live face-to-face video marketplace for experts, extends offering by featuring curated content and videos from top experts to help you get better at life, work & play", PR Newswire, November 4, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  15. ↑ http://www.crunchbase.com/organization/popexpert CrunchBase, Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  16. ↑ "PopExpert Raises $2M in Funding", May 21, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
  17. ↑ Walsh, Mike. "Mike Walsh: Investing in 'Sharing' Startups Since the 70s", The Wall Street Journal", April 17, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.