How Kelly Smith and Prenda Are Reimagining Education from Arizona

Arizona has become a hub for innovation across industries, and education is no exception. One of the state's most influential education technology companies is Prenda, an EdTech platform transforming how families access personalized learning through microschools.

Founded by Mesa entrepreneur Kelly Smith, Prenda grew from a simple idea sparked while teaching children computer programming at a local library. After witnessing how curiosity and self-directed learning engaged students far more effectively than traditional classroom instruction, Smith launched his first microschool in 2018. What began around a kitchen table has since evolved into a technology platform that enables educators and community leaders to launch and operate their own microschools.

Today, Prenda provides the software, curriculum, operational tools, and support needed to help guides run small, learner-centered schools serving K–8 students. Rather than replacing teachers, the platform empowers local educators with technology that simplifies administration while allowing them to focus on individualized learning experiences. This scalable model has helped expand microschooling across Arizona and into communities nationwide.

Smith's background is unconventional for an education founder. An MIT-trained engineer with experience building technology companies, he combined his passion for learning with software and entrepreneurship to create a new model for modern education. His vision continues to position Arizona at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing movements in K–12 education.

As Arizona's innovation economy continues to grow, companies like Prenda demonstrate how technology can reshape traditional industries while creating meaningful impact. By empowering educators, expanding educational choice, and leveraging software to scale personalized learning, Prenda has established itself as one of Arizona's leading EdTech success stories and an important contributor to the state's thriving startup ecosystem.