Legends – a confidence-training platform for kids – has launched out of stealth and announced $6 million in seed funding from tech- and education-focused VCs, including Floodgate Capital, Reach Capital, and individual investors, including technologist Joe Liemandt.
This funding round accelerates Legends’ goal of building self-confidence in kids. And it will also provide families with accessible and affordable learning tools that teach practical life skills.
The team behind Legends spent about three years researching future preparedness and the increasing number of mental health issues in elementary school children. The team found that low confidence—which is linked to issues like anxiety and depression—has been one of the biggest problems facing kids today. The company’s survey of 1,200 families showed confidence declining from 60% to 38% between the ages of 12 and 14. Most families surveyed also cited confidence as the number one skill parents want for their kids.
Legends was created to address these issues. The company has a subscription platform for kids aged 7 to 11 to use with their parents. Families are texted 5-minute confidence workouts every day, including an inspiring micro-documentary about a legendary person and interactive exercises that reinforce the theme of the day.
The confidence levels are determined with a unique confidence profile that combines user feedback with AI-driven analysis. Since beta testing, over 90% of kids using the service have shown measurable improvements in confidence levels within the first 90 days.
Along with the $6 million in seed funding, Legends raised $1 million to start the Legends Lab Foundation, a non-profit focused on improving accessibility to resources that helps with confidence and related skills. This initiative is being led by Sue Wasiolek, who served as Duke University’s Dean of Students for over 40 years.
KEY QUOTE:
“We’ve been led to believe confidence is something you’re born with, but it’s a skill, not a trait, and so it can be trained. Through our research, we’ve found that just five minutes of practice a day can significantly improve a kids’ confidence, giving them critical skills that will support and empower them throughout their life.”
- Legends CEO & founder Sonny Caberwal
