What's that "Cheeping" Sound in Silicon Valley?

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Which came first: the chicken, the egg, or a microchip?

Okay, it probably wasn't the microchip.

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But if the new Japan-based firm of SHO-zemi Innovation Ventures (sziv.org) has anything to say about it, technology will soon be in everyone's educational future.

SHO-zemi Innovation Ventures will be incubating the future of learning from its first U.S. office, located in Redwood City, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The company has officially joined the community at EdTech Innovation Lab, part of Stanford University-housed GSVlabs (gsvlabs.com).

SZIV Crosses the Road … Makes Stop at Arizona Conference

SHO-zemi Innovation Ventures' expansion into Silicon Valley coincides with their attendance at the ASU+GSV learning innovation summit (asugsvsummit.com). The "can't-miss education innovation event" (Forbes) is the Knowledge Economy's Mecca of conversation and activism devoted to accelerating learning innovation around the world.

Making "Monkey Business" in Silicon Valley

Establishing their new footprint in Silicon Valley comes fast on the heels of last month's announcement of Monkimun (monkimun.com) as the first addition to SHO-zemi's portfolio. Recently named as a prestigious 500 Startup (500.co), Monkimun (pronounced "Monkey Moon"), produces award-winning language apps for children.

The collaboration with SHO-zemi Innovation Ventures marks the first time an educational institution has invested in a 500 Startup batch company. The firm's parent company is SHO-zemi (shozemi.com), Japan's premier tutoring school for children and young adults.

Yoshi A. Okamoto, SHO-zemi Innovation Ventures' Executive Director, is confident he has picked the perfect location for the new office.

"Establishing our presence in Silicon Valley is a pivotal step in moving forward in our goal to become the world's number one educational information network. First and foremost, of course, is what Silicon Valley represents in terms of technology. Moreover, I feel there is also an integral awareness here of the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific market, and what is developing in this region of the world."

Nancy Lue, General Manager of EdTech Innovation Lab at GSVlabs, said, "We are thrilled to welcome SHO-zemi Innovation Ventures to the EdTech Innovation Lab."

A former senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Education for the Obama administration, Lue emphasized the future direction that SHO-zemi's presence represents.

"We look forward to strengthening our international education community, to bring the most promising education technology to learners all around the globe."

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