Introduction
Curriculum Companion Suites is a small software development and consulting company that focuses on improving the education process for K-12 schools. CCS software functions as a virtual learning assistant. Students can electronically follow the curriculum through the central computer terminal located at the front.
The Company
CCS keys to success are the company’s commitment to market awareness and future potential direction of the educational process, and CCS’ relationships with a large number of educational institutions and districts.
Curriculum Companion Suites is a start-up company comprised of six executives and seventy-six employees. The executives represent all functional areas, with 70 years of combined experience in the software development industry. Andrew Christiansen (major shareholder) and David Fields (minor shareholder) own 80%. Others investors hold a minor portion of the company. At the moment, the company does not have plans for going public, as most of the financing is raised internally. CSS was incorporated in Oregon by the majority shareholders.
Products
CCS provides educational software that can be used at every grade level from kindergarten to 12th grade. These software suites were developed in collaboration and partnership with major curriculum publishers, with whom CCS has strategic alliances.
CCS provides ongoing support, including installation and ongoing consultation. These services come as part of every software package.
Market
The competitive marketplace includes only a handful of direct competitors within the learning information systems vendors segment, providing software products and installation and systems integration services to kindergarten through senior high (K-12) schools in the United States. CCS competes primarily against more traditional methods of education, training and testing, including pencil and paper testing. In addition, CCS competes with other companies offering educational software products to schools, such as International Business Machines Corporation, Apple Computer, Inc., and Mattel, Inc.
School districts and educational institutions have not been proactive in looking for technical enhancements to their education process. CCS is a company that uses a more pushy type of marketing strategy. Education has to be educated about how technical infrastructures can enhance learning.
Since only a handful of other companies are competing directly with CCS in this market, the company plans to develop a healthy level of market share, with a goal of 10% at the end of three years.
The target market for CCS is the urban/metropolitan educational market, as this market presents the highest level of opportunity in terms of revenues. In terms of technical logistics, customizations and software installs are more possible in this market. Thus, profitability is by far more likely in this market.
Partnerships have been built with many educational institutions and school district across the U.S. CCS has made significant investments to understand and research the needs of the educational system.
Financial Considerations
CCS expects CCS to raise substantial owner capital. In return, CCS will borrow an equivalent amount in a 10-year SBA guaranteed loan. This financing will cover the bulk of the current funding.
CCS expects to generate large sales in the first year. The plan will continue to grow steadily in the second and third years.
1.1 Mission
Curriculum Companion Suites is a company that offers software curriculum suites to schools in K-12 across the U.S. CCS will offer solutions to schools that enhance their educational capabilities.
1.2 Keys to Success
These are the keys to success for CCS:
- The company’s commitment to being keenly alert to the current educational environment and future potential direction of the educational process.
- CCS has relationships with many educational institutions and districts.
