Philip Cutler, CEO of PAPER, on remote learning, building a business, and voice/AI in education

Mar 20, 2020

Today's guest on The EdTech Startup Show is Philip Cutler, CEO of PAPER.

Philip A. Cutler is the founder and CEO of PAPER (f. 2014). PAPER is the leading Educational Support System (ESS) implemented by school districts to improve student achievement and teacher effectiveness.

Prior to PAPER, Cutler had founded several successful businesses including national in-home tutoring service Laurus Educational Services (f. 2009) and Montreal's first lifestyle summer camp, Laurus Summer Camp (f. 2012), where he remains Chairman. In 2013, at 25 years of age, he became the youngest ever elected City Councillor in Westmount, Quebec. He continues to sit on Westmount's council and is the city's Commissioner of Infrastructure and Innovation.

Cutler holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from McGill University in Montreal where he played linebacker for the McGill Redmen Football team & represented the Faculty of Education on McGill University's Senate. He has also been very active philanthropic initiatives related to Alzheimer's Disease as well as the McGill University Health Center and the Jewish General Hospital. 

On this episode, Phil shares insights on

• The story behind his company's rebrand from Gradeslam to PAPER
• Why he questions the quick change to "FREE" that some education companies are making in response to COVID-19
• How he made the journey from teacher to entrepreneur
• The present and future of remote learning, particularly for American public schools
• The switch his company made from B2C to B2B (selling to schools)
• Some funny insights on how and when teenagers like to interact with PAPER teachers
• The major lessons Phil has learned while building his business (and who he has enlisted for help along the way
• Phil makes some predictions as well as analyzes the role of voice and AI in education for the future
• And more

Important links mentioned in this episode:

• GradeSlam rebrands to PAPER
• Connect with Phil on LinkedIn
• Say Hi to Phil on Twitter
• Visit the PAPER website
• Google’s AI Assistant Fund Invests in GradeSlam to Make Online Tutoring More Equitable
• Paper, formerly GradeSlam, Raises $7.5 Million to Grow Beyond Online Tutoring
• Ned Renzie
• Birchmere Ventures
• Chuck Kleiner
• Tustin Unified School District
• Phil is hiring at PAPER

Want to hear more episodes with teachers turned entrepreneurs?

• Matthew Gross, CEO of Newsela
• Dea Auray - CEO of Empowering Writers
• Michelle Brown - CEO of CommonLit

If you liked this episode, then please:

• Subscribe to The EdTech Startup Show in your favorite podcast player
• Leave a rating.
• Write an honest review of the show.
• Share it with an educator, parents, or entrepreneur in your life.
• Send your feedback to Gerard Dawson on Twitter or LinkedIn