Degrees of Freedom
FoundationDefunctYC W21New York City, US · Founded 2020 · 7 employees · Nonprofit · 1 known investors
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Degrees of Freedom operates a blended higher education program combining in-person, online, and virtual reality instruction from established faculty, priced at the level of a Pell Grant.
Also known as Democracy Builders & Degrees of Freedom · Democracy Builders Fund · Democracy Builders Fund, Inc., Democracy Builders & Degrees of Freedom · Inc.
AI & Machine LearningEdTechVirtual RealityNonprofitHR TechAIUnited States of AmericaAmerica / CanadaPartly Remote
Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (W21)
Degrees of Freedom was founded in 2020 by Chandell Stone, S. Aaron Andrew, and Jazel Smith.
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Chandell StoneCo-Founder (YC W21)2020–2021Chandell Stone has worked with low-income students in the Bronx and Harlem, founded the volunteer travel company Destination Impact, and launched Stone Solutions, a virtual assistant services firm connecting African professionals with entrepreneurs and small business owners. She now leads Degrees of Freedom.
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S. Aaron AndrewFounderuntil 2024S. Aaron Andrew founded DBF, a social sector studio, in 2005 and launched several education and technology organizations serving K-16 students. He served as Senior Advisor for Education and Civic Technology in the Obama-Biden White House from 2013 to 2016, where he worked on civic technology initiatives.
Investors · 1
Related companies · 4
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Companies working in the same space as Degrees of Freedom.
Legal entities · 1
corporate structureDegrees of Freedom
Frequently asked questions
- What does Degrees of Freedom do?
- Degrees of Freedom operates a blended higher education program combining in-person, online, and virtual reality instruction from established faculty, priced at the level of a Pell Grant.
- Who founded Degrees of Freedom?
- Degrees of Freedom was founded by Chandell Stone, S. Aaron Andrew, Jazel Smith in 2020.
- Who are Degrees of Freedom's investors?
- Degrees of Freedom's investors include Y Combinator.
- Where is Degrees of Freedom headquartered?
- Degrees of Freedom is headquartered in New York City, US.






