NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 — Dora Palfi grew up in a family of teachers, where education was viewed as a force that could change the direction of a person’s life. That belief influenced her decision to build education technology solutions focused on helping students gain digital skills. In 2018, Palfi and Beatrice Ionascu founded Imagi, a company that provides K-12 students and teachers with tools to teach coding, build computer science curriculum, and introduce AI literacy. The company recently announced a $4.5 million seed funding round from Brighteye Ventures, Day One Capital, and artist Will.i.am.

Imagi has worked with more than 700,000 students across 140 countries since its launch, Palfi said. The company will use the new funding to expand into additional K-12 schools, develop district partnerships, hire employees, build new product features, and launch a new platform. The funding comes as schools seek ways to introduce artificial intelligence education while ensuring students learn how to use these technologies responsibly.

Expanding AI Learning Through Classroom Tools

Last November, Imagi announced a partnership with Lovable, a vibe-coding platform that allows users to create applications using natural language instructions. The partnership enables teachers to develop lessons and give students controlled access to the platform, allowing them to learn how to create software with AI assistance while maintaining classroom safeguards. OpenAI provided $1 million in credits to help schools access the Imagi and Lovable platform at no cost. The support has allowed Imagi to continue offering free trials and freemium access for schools.

Palfi shared examples of projects created through the partnership. One teacher developed an application that translated classroom curriculum into 15 languages spoken by students in her class. Another student built a website to promote a lawn-mowing business and added a calendar feature that allowed customers to schedule appointments. These projects show how students can use AI and coding tools to create digital solutions connected to real-world needs.

Creating Safe AI Experiences for Students

The use of AI in education has raised questions about student safety, privacy, and how schools should introduce these technologies. Palfi said companies such as OpenAI and Lovable have expertise in developing advanced AI systems, while education specialists understand how to introduce those systems in classrooms. She believes schools should teach students how to create with AI because many young people already use these tools outside school.

Imagi reviews student prompts and AI-generated responses before they are displayed, removing content that violates safety requirements. The company complies with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Imagi does not retain student data, and partners do not use student activity to train their systems. The platform also trains teachers on AI, coding, and computational tools so they can introduce these subjects effectively to students.

Photo credit: Imagi

Preparing Students for Future Careers

Artificial intelligence is expected to influence many industries that students will enter after completing their education. Since not every student has access to AI tools at home, schools provide an important setting for learning about these technologies. Imagi focuses on helping educators introduce coding and AI concepts through classroom resources that allow students to develop digital skills.

The company’s latest funding will support its expansion into more schools and the development of additional education tools. Imagi’s upcoming platform launch will introduce new features designed for teachers and students. By teaching young people how AI systems work and how to build with technology, the company is helping schools prepare students for a future where digital skills will play an important role.