Epic!

Last updated
Epic!
IndustrySubscription service
Founded2013;11 years ago (2013)
FounderSuren Markosian
Kevin Donahue
Headquarters,
U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsE-books, education, digital media
Parent Byju's
Website www.getepic.com

Epic! is an American kids subscription-based reading and learning platform. It offers access to books and videos for children ages 12 and under. [1] The service can be used on desktop and mobile devices. [2]

Contents

Epic! was founded in 2013 by Suren Markosian and Kevin Donahue [3] and launched in 2014. [4] Indian educational technology company Byju's acquired Epic! in July 2021 in a cash and stock deal worth $500 million. [5]

On January 25, 2024, lenders began bankruptcy proceedings against Epic's parent company Byju's in an effort to repay its loans. [6] On February 1, 2024, Byju's U.S. division filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. Byju's would raise around $200 million in an effort to clear "immediate liabilities" and for other operational costs. [7]

Content

Books are available in read-to-me and audiobook [8] formats and include both non-fiction and fiction titles, [9] covering subjects and themes such as: STEM, language arts, social science, history, music, art, science fiction and DIY. Titles and series include BIG NATE , [10] Garfield , Warriors and The Chronicles of Narnia series. Books are available in English, French, [11] Spanish, [12] Chinese, and includes bilingual options. [13] The Epic! app offers personalized recommendations based on a child's reading level and interest. [14] Users can search for books, videos and quizzes on Epic! [8] based on age, keyword and reading levels. [14]

Publishing network

As of February 2024, Epic! had 250 publisher and video provider partners, including HarperCollins, [15] Macmillan, Candlewick, [16] National Geographic Kids, [2] Smithsonian Enterprises and Encyclopædia Britannica. [14] Epic! is a member of publishing industry trade groups, including: the Children's Book Council, [17] the Independent Book Publishers Association, [18] the Educational Book & Media Association [19] and the Audio Publishers Association. [20]

Recognition

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References

  1. "Digital book platform Epic! raises US$8 million". kidscreen.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Epic! has over 10 million kids e-books read in one year". 23 October 2015.
  3. "Epic! Debuts Kids' Subscription E-book Venture".
  4. "Epic Success in Kids' E-Book Subscription".
  5. "Byju's acquires reading platform Epic for $500 million in US expansion push". TechCrunch. 21 July 2021. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  6. "Lenders begin bankruptcy proceedings against India's Byju's". Reuters. January 25, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  7. "Indian edtech Byju's US unit files for bankruptcy in Delaware". Yahoo! Finance. February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Epic! - Unlimited Books for Kids - App Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. 9 March 2014.
  9. "The best gifts to get kids interested in science and technology". CNBC . 29 November 2017.
  10. "Prevent "Summer Slide" with Reading App Epic!". charlotteobserver.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017.
  11. "Epic! Adds French Content To Its Digital Library for Kids". thelearningcounsel.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023.
  12. "subscription service Epic! is bringing books to kids".
  13. "eBook subscription service Epic! is bringing books to kids".
  14. 1 2 3 "4 novel ways to get kids reading and learning". USA TODAY.
  15. "HarperCollins Offers Kids' E-books via Epic!".
  16. "Epic Success in Kids' E-Book Subscription". www.publishersweekly.com.
  17. "Epic! Signs Deal With Macmillan Publishers". Archived from the original on 2016-08-12. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  18. "IBPA Report from BookExpo 2014 - Independent Book Publishers Association". www.ibpa-online.org.
  19. Luke Edwards (2023-11-10). "Epic!: How to Use It for Teaching". TechLearningMagazine. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  20. "Epic! Debuts Original Content". www.cbcbooks.org. 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  21. "AASL announces 2016 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016.