While studying at university, Alliv Samson and Hengjie Wang were frustrated by the amount of printing required for class. The tools for digital learning were clunky or limited, and few supported meaningful collaboration. They saw an opportunity to create something better.

In 2013, they launched Kami, a platform that turns static classroom materials into interactive, accessible learning resources. Alliv and Hengjie built the business from scratch, bootstrapping it to profitability with fellow co-founders Jordan Thoms and Bob Drummond. Kami’s design was shaped by real feedback from teachers and students, and early experiments with different markets helped the founders double down on education.

That focus paid off, as Kami now supports 40 million users across 180 countries and is used in 92% of schools in the United States. The COVID-19 shift to remote learning accelerated this growth, with the user base growing from seven to over 35 million in two years. Teachers report major time savings, and students with diverse learning needs are engaging more. With millions of ready-to-use resources, Kami has become essential in classrooms around the world.

The business now employs more than 100 people, and it continues to scale. In 2024, Kami secured investment to fuel its next stage of growth, with a focus on AI-driven tools, inclusive hiring, and new product development. It’s also delivering real environmental impact as a by-product, helping US schools shift from printing and copying to cut down on paper waste to the equivalent of 346,000 trees in 2024.

Alliv and Hengjie remain hands-on in leading the business as COO and CEO. They’re building a global edtech company that’s proudly rooted in Aotearoa, revolutionising how educators teach and students learn globally.