Osmo Attempts to Break into AR Edutainment Once More

The innovative children’s AR edutainment startup has been revived after ex-employees bought it out of bankruptcy. Osmo, known for its unique blend of physical and digital play that captivated millions, was acquired for $120 million by India’s edutech giant Byju’s in 2019. Unfortunately, Byju’s encountered fraud allegations leading to Osmo’s closure in 2024. A determined group of former Osmo employees, led by Felix Hu and Ariel Zekelman, have purchased Osmo’s intellectual property and assets for $825,000. They have restored some apps and hardware, aiming to advance Osmo’s technology. With new priorities like regaining customer trust, the team plans to integrate AI to revolutionize interactivity with objects. Understanding current challenges, they are committed to sustainable growth without succumbing to traditional VC growth pressures, focusing on creating meaningful, non-addictive play experiences.