Hopscotch is an educational app designed to teach children how to code in a fun and interactive way. Founded in 2013 by Jocelyn Leavitt and Samantha John, Hopscotch quickly gained popularity among parents and educators as a tool to introduce kids to the world of coding.
The app features a drag-and-drop interface that allows children to create their own games and animations by snapping together blocks of code. With its colorful graphics and engaging interface, Hopscotch has been praised for making coding accessible to children as young as six years old.
In 2014, Hopscotch appeared on the popular television show Shark Tank, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of investors in hopes of securing funding. Despite a promising pitch and a strong concept, the Hopscotch founders left the show without a deal. However, this setback did not deter them from pursuing their vision for the app.
Since its appearance on Shark Tank, Hopscotch has continued to grow and evolve. The app now offers a range of programming challenges and tutorials and has expanded its user base to include teachers and classrooms. In addition to its educational benefits, Hopscotch has also been praised for its focus on creativity and self-expression, allowing children to use code as a tool for creating their own unique projects.
In this article, we will explore what happened to Hopscotch after its appearance on Shark Tank, and how the app has continued to develop and innovate in the years since. We will examine the challenges and opportunities that come with running a successful educational technology company, and how Hopscotch has navigated these waters to become a leading app in the field of coding education.
What Is Hopscotch?
Hopscotch is a mobile app that aims to teach children the basics of coding through play. The app was featured on season 12 of the popular TV show Shark Tank, where co-founders Jocelyn Leavitt and Samantha John pitched their innovative product to a panel of investors.
The idea behind Hopscotch is simple: to make coding accessible and fun for children. The app uses a visual block-based programming language to help children create their own interactive games and stories. With Hopscotch, kids can learn how to code by dragging and dropping blocks of code, rather than typing out lines of text.
One of the biggest selling points of Hopscotch is its emphasis on creativity and imagination. The app encourages kids to think outside the box and come up with their own unique apps and games. Users can choose from a range of colorful characters, backgrounds, and music to bring their projects to life.
During their Shark Tank pitch, Leavitt and John stressed the importance of teaching children how to code from a young age. They explained that coding is not just a valuable skill for the future workforce, but also a fun and exciting form of creative expression.
One of the key features of Hopscotch is its online community, where users can share their project ideas, ask for feedback, and collaborate with other users from around the world. This sense of community helps to foster a love of coding and encourages kids to keep learning and creating.
Hopscotch is a great way for children to learn the basics of coding in a fun and engaging way. With its user-friendly interface, emphasis on creativity, and supportive online community, Hopscotch has the potential to inspire the next generation of coders and tech innovators.
About The Founders Of Hopscotch
Hopscotch, an app that teaches children how to code in a fun and creative way, was co-founded by Samantha John and Jocelyn Leavitt. Samantha John is an American entrepreneur who was born in the year 1985 or 1986, and she studied applied mathematics, English, and comparative literature at Columbia University [1].
John created Hopscotch when she was just 26 years old, along with Jocelyn Leavitt, who is an educator. Together, they noticed the lack of women and people of color in engineering and set out to create an educational tool that would make coding accessible and fun for children from all backgrounds.
Hopscotch has won several accolades, including Apple’s “Best of App Store” and the “Parents Choice Gold Award”. The app has been praised for its user-friendly interface, emphasis on creativity, and supportive online community. Through Hopscotch, children can learn how to code by dragging and dropping blocks of code, and creating their own interactive games and stories.
In addition to co-founding Hopscotch, John is also a member of the board of directors of the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology. She has been recognized for her contributions to the tech industry, and was named by Forbes as one of the “30 Under 30 in Education” in 2013.
Leavitt, John’s co-founder, is an educator with a background in technology and design. She has worked in education for over 10 years and is passionate about making learning engaging and accessible. In addition to Hopscotch, Leavitt has also co-founded another ed-tech startup called “Curious Jane”, which offers summer camps and workshops aimed at encouraging girls to explore science, engineering, and technology.
Samantha John and Jocelyn Leavitt are two inspirational women who have made significant contributions to the tech and education worlds. Through their work on Hopscotch and other initiatives, they have inspired countless children to explore the exciting world of coding and technology.
The Pitch Of Hopscotch At Shark Tank
During season 12 of the popular TV show Shark Tank, co-founders Jocelyn Leavitt and Samantha John pitched their innovative product, Hopscotch, to a panel of investors. The duo presented the product as a mobile app aimed at making coding accessible and fun for children.
Leavitt and John began by explaining the importance of teaching kids to code at a young age, stressing that coding is not just a valuable skill for the future workforce, but also a fun and exciting form of creative expression. They went on to demonstrate how the Hopscotch app uses a visual block-based programming language to teach children how to create their own interactive games and stories.
The Sharks were impressed with Hopscotch’s potential to disrupt the education industry and make a significant impact on young people’s lives. They recognized that with its user-friendly interface, emphasis on creativity, and supportive online community, Hopscotch had the potential to inspire the next generation of coders and tech innovators.
According to Mark Cuban, he is a big fan of the Hopscotch app as his children have been using it for a considerable time. During the pitch, Mark offered $400,000 in exchange for 16% equity, as he believed that there was still a lot of work that needed to be done on the app.
However, Samantha decided to make a counter-offer of $600k for 10% equity, but Mark ultimately declined the offer, giving them one more chance to make an acceptable deal.
After this, Samantha came up with a second counteroffer of $600k for 10% equity, to which Mark responded by proposing $500k for 11% equity. Samantha then made another counteroffer of $550k for 11% equity, which Mark accepted, thus finalizing the deal.
Since appearing on Shark Tank, Hopscotch has continued to expand its reach and make an impact in the education world. The app has won numerous awards, including Apple’s “Best of App Store” and the “Parents Choice Gold Award”, and has been praised for its ability to teach kids how to code in a fun and engaging way.
Hopscotch After The Shark Tank
After securing a $550,000 investment on Shark Tank, Hopscotch co-founders Jocelyn Leavitt and Samantha John took their innovative app to the next level. The investment allowed them to expand their team, develop new features for the app, and increase their marketing efforts, all aimed at helping more kids around the world learn to code in a fun and creative way.
One of Hopscotch’s most notable updates since appearing on Shark Tank was the addition of a feature called “Hopscotch for Schools”. This feature was introduced in response to teachers and educators who wanted to incorporate Hopscotch into their curriculum and use it as a tool for teaching coding and computational thinking.
With Hopscotch for Schools, teachers can access lesson plans, activity guides, and student progress reports, making it easy to track each student’s coding journey and tailor lessons to their individual needs. The feature has been embraced by educators all over the world, who have praised Hopscotch’s ability to engage students and teach coding concepts in a fun and intuitive way.
Hopscotch has also continued to innovate with new features, including interactive tutorials, customizable characters, and more advanced coding tools. The app’s user community has grown as well, with kids sharing their creations and ideas through the app’s social platform, which fosters creativity and encourages collaboration.
In addition to focusing on product development and community building, Leavitt and John have also been recognized for their contributions to the ed-tech industry. In 2021, they were included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for education, a testament to their passion and dedication to making coding accessible to more young people.
The Net Worth Of Hopscotch
As a private company, Hopscotch Technologies does not publicly disclose its net worth or financial information. However, the company has raised a total of $10.2 million in funding over several rounds from various investors, including Mark Cuban and Accomplice [2].
Hopscotch Technologies was founded in 2013 by Jocelyn Leavitt and Samantha John, who was inspired to create an educational coding app for children that would make programming more accessible and engaging. The app features a visual coding language that allows users to create their own games and apps using drag-and-drop blocks. It also provides a community platform where users can share and play with each other’s creations.
Hopscotch has been successful in attracting a wide user base, with over 50 million downloads worldwide as of 2021. The app has been praised for its ability to teach coding in a fun and creative way and has been used in schools and classrooms around the world to introduce children to programming concepts. So the estimated net worth of Hopscotch could be around $100 million, as of 2023.
Hopscotch on Social Media
Hopscotch, the educational coding app, maintains an active presence on several social media platforms. The company uses these platforms to engage with its user community, share updates and news about the app, and promote its various offerings.
On Twitter, Hopscotch has over 26,000 followers and regularly posts updates about new features, projects, and events. The company also shares educational resources and articles related to coding and technology. In addition, Hopscotch uses Twitter to respond to user questions and feedback.
Hopscotch also has a Facebook page with over 49,000 likes. Here, the company shares similar content to its Twitter page, as well as user-generated content and testimonials. Hopscotch also posts updates about its virtual camps and workshops, which are designed to help children learn to code in a fun and engaging way [3].
The company also maintains a presence on Instagram, where it has over 3,000 followers. On this platform, Hopscotch shares photos and videos of user-created projects, as well as snapshots of the app’s features and functionality.
In addition to these platforms, Hopscotch also has a presence on LinkedIn, where it shares updates about its team and company news. The company also uses this platform to connect with educators and potential partners.
Overall, Hopscotch’s social media presence is an important part of its strategy to engage with its user community and promote its educational offerings. Through these platforms, the company is able to showcase the creativity and ingenuity of its users, while also providing a space for dialogue and feedback.
Alternatives To Hopscotch
There are several similar apps for children who want to learn how to code, each with its own unique features and teaching methods.
Here are a few popular options:
- Scratch is a free programming language and online community developed by the MIT Media Lab. It allows children to create interactive stories, games, and animations by snapping together different programming blocks;
- Code.org is a nonprofit organization that offers free coding courses for students of all ages. Its curriculum includes a variety of coding activities, puzzles, and games that teach programming concepts;
- Tynker is a coding platform for kids that offers fun games and puzzles to teach programming concepts. It also includes a drag-and-drop visual coding interface to help children create their own programs and games;
- Codecademy offers free coding courses in a variety of programming languages, including Python and JavaScript. Its courses are interactive and feature video tutorials, quizzes, and coding projects to help children learn at their own pace;
- CodeSpark Academy is an app that teaches coding to young children through a series of interactive games and puzzles. It also includes a visual coding interface that allows kids to create their own projects and games;
- Codemoji is an app that teaches HTML, CSS, and JavaScript through a series of interactive games and lessons. Its unique feature is that it uses emojis to represent different coding concepts, making it more engaging and fun for young learners [4];
Overall, there are many great options for children who want to learn how to code. Each of these apps offers a unique approach to teaching programming concepts and can help children develop valuable skills in a fun and engaging way.
FAQ:
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How does Hopscotch help kids learn programming and coding?
Hopscotch uses a block-based coding interface that allows children to drag and drop blocks of code to create their own games and animations. This format makes it easy for kids to understand coding concepts and apply them in a fun and engaging way.
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What programming languages are used in Hopscotch?
Hopscotch uses its own programming language, which is designed to be accessible to beginners. The language is based on popular programming languages such as Scratch and Blockly, as well as Swift, a popular programming language used for iOS app development.
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What types of games or projects can be created with Hopscotch?
With Hopscotch, kids can create a wide range of games and animations, including platformers, puzzle games, side-scrolling adventures, and more. They can also share their creations with others on Hopscotch’s online community.
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Is Hopscotch free to use?
Hopscotch is available to download for free on the App Store, but some in-app purchases may be required to unlock additional features or content.
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Is Hopscotch appropriate for all ages?
Hopscotch is mainly aimed at children between the ages of 10-16, but it can be used by anyone interested in learning coding and programming concepts.
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Are there any tutorials or resources available to help kids learn coding on Hopscotch?
Yes, Hopscotch offers a range of online tutorials, videos, and resources designed to help kids learn programming and coding concepts. The app also has a large online community where users can ask questions, share projects, and get feedback from other users.
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Is Hopscotch only available on iOS devices?
Yes, currently Hopscotch is only available on iPad and iPhone. There is no Android version of the app available at this time.
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Can parents or teachers use Hopscotch to teach coding and programming?
Yes, Hopscotch can be used by parents and teachers to teach coding and programming concepts to children. The app offers a range of tools.
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What is the age range for Hopscotch?
Hopscotch is designed for children ages 6-16, although it can be used by people of all ages who are interested in learning to code.
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What platforms I can use Hopscotch on?
Hopscotch is available on iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads.
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What is the revenue of Hopscotch Technologies?
As a private company, Hopscotch Technologies does not publicly disclose its revenue information.
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Who owns the Hopscotch app?
Hopscotch was founded by Jocelyn Leavitt and Samantha John and is now owned by Hopscotch Technologies.
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How much does Hopscotch cost?
The Hopscotch app is free to download and use, although some additional features and content may be available for purchase within the app.
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Can you make money on Hopscotch?
Hopscotch offers a platform for users to create and share their own games and apps, which can potentially lead to monetization opportunities. However, Hopscotch itself does not pay users for their creations.
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Is Hopscotch a Chinese company?
No, Hopscotch is not a Chinese company. It was founded and is based in the United States.
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Who is Hopscotch’s competitor?
Hopscotch’s competitors in the educational coding app market include Scratch, Tynker, and Code.org, among others.
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How many employees does Hopscotch have?
As of 2021, Hopscotch has approximately 15 employees [5].
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Does the Hopscotch app cost money?
The Hopscotch app is free to download and use, although some additional features and content may be available for purchase within the app.
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Does Hopscotch refund money?
Hopscotch’s refund policy may vary depending on the specific circumstances. Users can contact Hopscotch support for more information.
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Can you use Hopscotch for free?
Yes, the Hopscotch app is free to download and use, although some additional features and content may be available for purchase within the app.
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What company did Mark Cuban sell for 5.7 billion?
Mark Cuban is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has been involved in a variety of companies throughout his career. However, he did not sell the company for $5.7 billion [6].
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Does Mark Cuban invest in crypto?
Yes, Mark Cuban has expressed interest in and invested in cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
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Who invented the Hopscotch game?
The Hopscotch game has been played by children for centuries and its exact origins are unknown. However, the Hopscotch app was invented by Jocelyn Leavitt and Samantha John.
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Is Hopscotch educational?
Yes, Hopscotch is an educational app designed to teach children how to code in a fun and interactive way. It has been praised for making coding accessible to children as young as six years old and for its focus on creativity and self-expression.
Useful Video: The Most Intense Negotiation Between Hopscotch Owner and Mark Cuban! | Shark Tank US
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_John
- https://www.sharktankblog.com/business/hopscotch
- https://sharktanktalks.com/hopscotch-shark-tank-update/
- https://www.therealitytv.com/hopscotch-shark-tank/
- https://2paragraphs.com/2021/05/hopscotch-what-happened-to-kid-coding-app-after-mark-cuban-550000-shark-tank-deal/
- https://www.wikisme.com/happened-hopscotch-shark-tank/