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Top Hat

Waterloo, CA · Founded 2009 · 463 employees on LinkedIn · 13 known investors

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Top Hat develops courseware and engagement technology for higher education institutions, enabling instructors to create interactive learning experiences and connect with students. The platform serves colleges and universities across North America.

AI & Machine LearningEdTechSaaS

Founders & leadership

Top Hat was founded in 2009 by Mike Silagadze and Mohsen Shahini.

MSMike Silagadze
Mike SilagadzeFounderFounder at Etherfi Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
MSMohsen Shahini
Mohsen ShahiniFounder
MLMaggie Leen
Maggie LeenChief Executive Officer
LILarry Indovina
Larry IndovinaChief Operating OfficerLarry Indovina is Chief Operating Officer and Chief People Officer at Top Hat, where he oversees operations, business systems, revenue transformation, IT, and HR functions. He brings experience in business transformation and organizational scaling across VC- and PE-backed companies, including managing growth, acquisitions, and exits.
HBHong Bui
Hong BuiChief Product OfficerHong Bui is a Chief Product Officer at Top Hat with over 20 years of consumer software experience at companies including Amazon, Expedia, and Apple, as well as prior co-founding roles at Visto/Good, Memeo, and Polkast. He holds 23 patents and has worked across e-commerce, fintech, media management, cloud computing, and mobile software.
DBDonna Battista
Donna BattistaManaging Director, Learning SolutionsDonna Battista is Managing Director of Learning Solutions at Top Hat, an online education software provider for higher education. She previously founded and led Gogogie, a marketplace connecting educators with opportunities to create and deliver online courses and workshops.
BCBradley Cohen
Bradley CohenChief Academic OfficerHe has held leadership roles in higher education administration for over 25 years, including faculty positions, and has experience managing large teams and budgets while implementing academic technology strategy.

Investors · 13

Golden Ventureslisted by Golden VenturesToronto · $500K – $2.5M
Inovia Capitallisted by Inovia CapitalMontreal · $250K – $8M

How we know: Inovia Capital's portfolio page · funding news · tophat.com · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Leaders Fundlisted by Leaders FundToronto · $20M

How we know: Leaders Fund's portfolio page · lwlaw.com · Not right? Tell us

Maple Leaf Angelslisted by Maple Leaf AngelsToronto

How we know: Maple Leaf Angels's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Recurring Capital Partnerslisted by Recurring Capital PartnersAustin
Top Corner Capitallisted by Top Corner CapitalBurlingame
Uncork Capitallisted by Uncork CapitalSan Francisco · $3M – $5M

How we know: Uncork Capital's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Union Square Ventures (USV)listed by Union Square Ventures (USV)New York · $1M – $8M

How we know: Union Square Ventures (USV)'s portfolio page · tophat.com · the VCSheet dataset · open dataset · 5k.vc investor directory · Not right? Tell us

Venture Ontariolisted by Venture OntarioToronto

How we know: Venture Ontario's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Version One Ventureslisted by Version One VenturesVancouver · $250K – $500K

How we know: Version One Ventures's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Also in the syndicate · 2

BMO Technology and Innovation Banking GroupGeorgian Partnerslead

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$55M disclosed across 1 of 4 rounds · 2017–2021

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

Founder mafia

The Top Hat mafia →

9 people who came through Top Hat went on to found or lead other companies.

Jason FanSoftware EngineerFounded Hypercare +2Anisa MirzaUS Growth & OpsFounded Litnerd +1Adam Cohenlearned how to sellFounded Weaveos +1Tanay DelimaMarketing And Business DevelopmentFounded Highfi +1Alex KovalevTeam Lead - Full Stack Web DeveloperFounded JetdocsAmit JethaniSenior Product ManagerFounded MantleRok KoppDirector of SalesFounded EtherFiMatt YorkVP EngineeringFounded LoopioJosh GuttmanRegional Vice PresidentFounded Sellit9

In the news

Top Hat Embarks on Next Phase of Growth with $130M USD Series E Fundraise and New CEO | Top Hattophat.com · Feb 2021Top Hat raises $55M Series D for its higher ed learning platform | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com · Feb 2020Top Hat Raises $55M in Series D Fundingtophat.com · Feb 2020

Frequently asked questions

What does Top Hat do?
Top Hat develops courseware and engagement technology for higher education institutions, enabling instructors to create interactive learning experiences and connect with students. The platform serves colleges and universities across North America.
Who founded Top Hat?
Top Hat was founded by Mike Silagadze, Mohsen Shahini in 2009.
Who are Top Hat's investors?
Top Hat's investors include Emergence Capital Partners, Golden Ventures, Inovia Capital, Leaders Fund, Maple Leaf Angels, Recurring Capital Partners, Top Corner Capital, Uncork Capital and 3 more.
How much funding has Top Hat raised?
Top Hat has disclosed $55M raised across 1 of its 4 known rounds.
Where is Top Hat headquartered?
Top Hat is headquartered in Waterloo, CA.