Epic!
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{{Short description|Children's subscription-based reading and learning platform}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Epic!
| logo = Epic! Logo.svg
| type =
| industry = Subscription service
| fate =
| founded = {{Start date and age|2013}}
| founder = Suren Markosian
Kevin Donahue
| defunct =
| hq_location_city = Redwood City, California
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| area_served = Worldwide
| products = E-books, education, digital media
| owner =
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year =
| parent = Byju's
| website = {{URL|https://www.getepic.com/}}
}}
Epic! is an American kids subscription-based reading and learning platform. It offers access to books and videos targeted at children ages 12 and under.{{cite web |url=https://kidscreen.com/2017/05/30/digital-book-platform-epic-raises-us8-million/ |title=Digital book platform Epic! raises US$8 million|website=kidscreen.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524100956if_/https://kidscreen.com/2017/05/30/digital-book-platform-epic-raises-us8-million/ |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-status=live}} The service can be used on desktop and mobile devices.{{cite web|url=https://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/epic-unlimited-books-for-kids-reaches-10-million-e-books-read|title=Epic! has over 10 million kids e-books read in one year|date=23 October 2015 |publisher=}}
Epic! was founded in 2013 by Suren Markosian and Kevin Donahue{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/60818-epic-debuts-kids-subscription-e-book-venture.html|title=Epic! Debuts Kids' Subscription E-book Venture}} and launched in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/70426-epic-success-in-kids-e-book-subscription.html|title=Epic Success in Kids' E-Book Subscription}} Indian educational technology company Byju's acquired Epic! in July 2021 in a cash and stock deal worth $500 million.{{Cite web|title=Byju's acquires reading platform Epic for $500 million in US expansion push|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/21/byjus-acquires-reading-platform-epic-for-500-million-in-us-expansion-push/|access-date=2021-11-14|website=TechCrunch|date=21 July 2021 |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725001052/https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/21/byjus-acquires-reading-platform-epic-for-500-million-in-us-expansion-push/|archive-date=25 July 2021|url-status=live}}
On January 25, 2024, lenders began bankruptcy proceedings against Epic's parent company Byju's in an effort to repay its loans.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/lenders-begin-bankruptcy-proceedings-against-indias-byjus-2024-01-25/|title=Lenders begin bankruptcy proceedings against India's Byju's|date=January 25, 2024|access-date=February 1, 2024|website=Reuters|language=en}} On February 1, 2024, Byju's U.S. division filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. Byju's would raise around $200 million in an effort to clear "immediate liabilities" and for other operational costs.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/byjus-us-unit-files-bankruptcy-202553510.html|title=Indian edtech Byju's US unit files for bankruptcy in Delaware|date=February 1, 2024|access-date=February 1, 2024|website=Yahoo! Finance|language=en}}
Content
Books are available in read-to-me and audiobook{{cite web|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/epic-unlimited-books-for-kids|title=Epic! - Unlimited Books for Kids - App Review|date=9 March 2014|website=www.commonsensemedia.org}} formats and include both non-fiction and fiction titles,{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/29/educational-stem-gifts-christmas.html|title=The best gifts to get kids interested in science and technology|website=CNBC |date=29 November 2017 |publisher=}} covering subjects and themes such as: STEM, language arts, social science, history, music, art, science fiction and DIY. Titles and series include BIG NATE,{{cite web |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/health-family/moms/article87090402.html |title=Prevent "Summer Slide" with Reading App Epic! |website=charlotteobserver.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316142224if_/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/health-family/moms/article87090402.html |archive-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=live}} Garfield, Warriors and The Chronicles of Narnia series. Books are available in English, French,{{cite web|url=https://thelearningcounsel.com/articles/industry-news/epic-adds-french-content-its-digital-library-kids/ |title=Epic! Adds French Content To Its Digital Library for Kids|website=thelearningcounsel.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231023100605if_/https://thelearningcounsel.com/articles/industry-news/epic-adds-french-content-its-digital-library-kids/ |archive-date=23 October 2023 |url-status=live}} Spanish,{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ebook-subscription-epic-bringing-books-012219128.html&sa=D&ust=1521042830581000&usg=AFQjCNG7N1tD9NSxsNu-iVfQ-q-RCm1TTgeBook|title=subscription service Epic! is bringing books to kids|publisher=}} Chinese, and includes bilingual options.{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ebook-subscription-epic-bringing-books-012219128.html&sa=D&ust=1521042830564000&usg=AFQjCNErmV-PlX3XRT5HupYu8X8XEvHtlg|title=eBook subscription service Epic! is bringing books to kids|publisher=}} The Epic! app offers personalized recommendations based on a child's reading level and interest.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/saltzman/2017/08/12/4-novel-ways-get-kids-reading-and-learning/561406001/|title=4 novel ways to get kids reading and learning|website=USA TODAY}} Users can search for books, videos and quizzes on Epic! based on age, keyword and reading levels.
Publishing network
As of February 2024, Epic! had 250 publisher and video provider partners, including HarperCollins,{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/62397-harpercollins-offers-kids-e-books-via-epic.html|title=HarperCollins Offers Kids' E-books via Epic!|publisher=}} Macmillan, Candlewick,{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/70426-epic-success-in-kids-e-book-subscription.html|title=Epic Success in Kids' E-Book Subscription|website=www.publishersweekly.com}} National Geographic Kids, Smithsonian Enterprises and Encyclopædia Britannica. Epic! is a member of publishing industry trade groups, including: the Children's Book Council,{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbcbooks.org/epic-signs-deal-with-macmillan-publishers/%23.WpddrBMbPfZ%26sa%3DD%26ust%3D1521042830604000%26usg%3DAFQjCNHCHMm22MfafdJj6A3t1e0F2VXMKw |title=Epic! Signs Deal With Macmillan Publishers |access-date=2018-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812190628/http://www.cbcbooks.org/epic-signs-deal-with-macmillan-publishers/ |archive-date=2016-08-12 |url-status=dead }} the Independent Book Publishers Association,{{cite web|url=https://www.ibpa-online.org/news/news.asp?id=315920&hhSearchTerms=%2522epic!%2522&sa=D&ust=1521042830595000&usg=AFQjCNHBzS7GPkc6HfsnM9390j6cLn1AOQ|title=IBPA Report from BookExpo 2014 - Independent Book Publishers Association|website=www.ibpa-online.org}} the Educational Book & Media Association and the Audio Publishers Association.
Recognition
- 2016 Best App for Teaching and Learning; and The Best Website for Teaching and Learning (The American Association of School Librarians).{{cite web|url=https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/06/aasl-announces-2016-best-apps-teaching-learning|title=AASL announces 2016 Best Apps for Teaching & Learning|publisher=American Library Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801141029/http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/06/aasl-announces-2016-best-apps-teaching-learning|archive-date=1 August 2016|url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Category:Subscription services
Category:Virtual learning environments
Category:American educational websites
Category:Internet properties established in 2013
Category:2013 establishments in California
Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024
Category:Companies based in Redwood City, California