Microsoft Acquires Flipgrid Education-Centric Social Video Platform

Microsoft has announced that it has acquired Flipgrid, a social learning platform, and intends to leverage it to bring social learning to students around the globe. Flipgrid currently boasts users in over 180 countries with over 20 million pre-kindergarten to PH.D. level educators, students, and families using the service. Microsoft says that it plans to make Flipgrid free for schools to use, just as it does Office 365 Education software.

For those who previously paid for use of Flipgrid, Microsoft says that it will be giving a prorated refund. "We’re thrilled to see the impact Flipgrid has had in social learning thus far and look forward to helping them continue to thrive as part of the Microsoft family," said Eran Megiddo, corporate vice president for Microsoft. "We’re diligently committed to making sure their platform and products continue to work across the Microsoft, Google and partner ecosystems to benefit students and teachers everywhere."

Flipgrid has been around since 2015 and it aims to empower users and allow students to share their own voice and experience with other students around the globe. Microsoft notes that Flipgrid's mission aligned with its own. That shared mission is to empower people to achieve more.

Microsoft sees Flipgrid as a tool to help teachers and students build social emotional skills beyond what normal school curriculums require alone. Flipgrid will remain a distinct brand with its own culture and team. Microsoft says that Flipgrid will align with its General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) to ensure it is a safe place for students of all ages. Financial terms of the deal are unannounced at this time.