AI study platform StudyStash joins Kortext just a year after the founders graduated following its rapid global expansion

• StudyStash has scaled from a tool its founders built for their own degrees to an AI study platform trusted by thousands of students at 160+ institutions across three continents
• From Oulu University to the California State University, StudyStash uses neuroscience and AI to supercharge student learning, and help slash drop-out rates
• Now backed by Kortext and its network of 1,000+ universities, StudyStash’s founders are heading to Silicon Valley to unlock the next stage of its explosive growth

2 October 2026: StudyStash – the adaptive AI study platform using neuroscience to supercharge learning – has been acquired by edtech leader Kortext just a year after its two founders graduated from the University of Birmingham. 

What started as a way for founders Ben Ward, 23, and Jonathan Graham, 24, to turn their own course notes into study materials now plugs directly into the world’s biggest learning systems, including Canvas, Blackboard and Moodle. Using existing course material, StudyStash builds personalised flashcards, practice tests, podcasts and more that adapt as the student learns, with insights that help institutions see how learning is happening across their whole student body. 

Explosive growth 

Since its launch with the University of Birmingham, StudyStash is now used by tens of thousands of students across 160+ institutions in the UK, Europe, US and Africa. This includes some of North America’s biggest higher education systems – California State University, Minnesota State and Colorado State – plus a partnership with California’s 2.2 million-student community college system. 

Other partners include Finland’s University of Oulu and the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, where StudyStash has supported the training of 1,000 surgeons across 15 African countries. At one university in Washington state, drop-out rates among StudyStash students fell to zero compared with an 16% rate among non-users. 

StudyStash also partners with EAB, the US consultancy working with 2,800+ higher education institutions worldwide to improve enrolment, retention and student success, and its advisory board includes senior figures from UCL, Imperial College London and the University of Oxford. 

Acquirer Kortext was founded in 2013 and works with thousands of universities worldwide, helping enhance teaching, learning and student engagement through digital content, analytics and AI-powered workflow solutions. By welcoming StudyStash into the group, Kortext strengthens its growing portfolio of learning technologies and expands its ability to support institutions across the UK, North America and beyond as they explore new approaches to AI-enhanced teaching and learning.

As part of the acquisition (the financial details of which are not being disclosed), Ward and Graham will remain as CEO and CTO respectively, and continue to lead StudyStash as a distinct brand. With Kortext’s network giving StudyStash a route into more institutions worldwide – and with 50% of StudyStash customers already based in the US – the pair is relocating to Silicon Valley as the company continues to expand into this region. 

Ben Ward, co-founder and CEO of StudyStash, said:

“We started StudyStash to solve our own problem but quickly realised we’d created a tool that could make a real difference to thousands of learners. We had so much traction that it was an easy decision to turn this into our first venture, and StudyStash was born. Since launch, we’ve raised equity finance, scaled to 160+ institutions on three continents, broken into the US market and now been acquired by one of the largest e-learning providers in the field. We’ve proven we can build, sell and scale and now Kortext gives us the reach to drive StudyStash to reach its full potential.”

Jonathan Graham, co-founder and CTO of StudyStash, said:

“Universities set a high bar, and we built StudyStash to meet it from day one. That’s been central to how quickly we’ve grown: combining the speed of a startup with the standards institutions expect of an established partner. With Kortext, we can be even more ambitious. We’re bringing our product and pace of development together with its experience, reputation and reach, giving us the backing to build faster and take StudyStash to many more universities.”

James Gray, founder and CEO of Kortext said:

“We believe the future of educational AI lies in solutions that institutions can trust and that genuinely improve learning outcomes. StudyStash brings powerful capabilities that complement our existing strengths and accelerate our AI strategy, while extending our reach further into teaching and learning workflows. Together, we will help institutions embrace AI responsibly, support educators more effectively, and create richer, more personalised learning experiences that help students achieve their full potential.” 

Ben and Jonathan met while studying computer science at the University of Birmingham and working together on PwC’s technology degree apprenticeship. Before StudyStash, both had run their own businesses, Jonathan through Nucleus Consulting, Ben through Silicon Square and they built StudyStash in their spare time. The idea moved from side project to company through the University of Birmingham’s incubator programme, Elevate. The University of Birmingham became StudyStash’s first customer, before the platform expanded to schools and colleges across England, including St. Mary’s University, Loughborough University and City St Georges.

Together, Kortext and StudyStash will build the standard for what AI-powered learning looks like for millions of students worldwide, making learning more personal, adaptive and responsive for every student, wherever they are.

ENDS

About StudyStash

StudyStash is an adaptive learning platform that turns course content into personalised flashcards, practice tests and podcasts. Its technology adapts as students learn, helping them focus on weaker areas while giving lecturers and student success teams earlier insight into where support is needed. Founded by Ben Ward and Jonathan Graham while studying at the University of Birmingham, StudyStash is used by tens of thousands of students at more than 160 institutions across three continents. Learn more at studystash.com 

About Kortext

Founded in 2013, Kortext is the leading student experience and engagement expert, pioneering digitally enhanced teaching and learning in the global higher education community. We support institutions around the world to boost student engagement and drive improved outcomes with our AI-powered content discovery and study products, market-leading learner analytics and streamlined workflows for higher education. Recognised in 2026 as one of the first Microsoft Solutions Partners with certified software for Education AI, Kortext provides ring-fenced, safe and secure AI powered teaching and learning experiences for HE institutions and their learners and teaching staff.