If you’ve spent time in a classroom recently—or know someone who has—there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Gimkit. It’s become a go-to tool for educators who want to make learning more fun, interactive, and memorable. But many people still wonder: When did Gimkit become an official company?
To answer that, we need to look at where Gimkit came from, how it grew from a student project into a full-fledged business, and what it’s doing today. Whether you’re a teacher exploring new educational tools, a student curious about the platform, or just someone interested in the story behind one of the most engaging learning apps out there, you’re in the right place.
What is Gimkit?
Before diving into its origin as a company, it’s important to understand what Gimkit actually is. Gimkit is an online game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create quizzes and review materials in a way that’s both educational and entertaining. It works a lot like a game show, where students answer questions to earn virtual currency and use it to upgrade their performance within the game.
Unlike traditional quiz platforms, Gimkit adds a strategic layer to learning. Players can purchase power-ups, invest in bonuses, and essentially “level up” by answering correctly. This game economy encourages repeated play and deeper engagement—key reasons why it’s become so popular in classrooms.
The Birth of Gimkit: From a High School Project
The story of Gimkit begins in a very unexpected place—not in a tech startup incubator or Silicon Valley, but in a high school classroom in Seattle, Washington. The platform was created by Josh Feinsilber, who was just a high school junior when he came up with the idea.
Frustrated with the limited interactivity of existing study tools like Kahoot and Quizlet, Josh decided to build his own. He wanted something that would make studying not just effective, but genuinely fun. So, as part of a school project, he started developing what would eventually become Gimkit.
At first, it was a small side project. Josh worked on it in between classes and late into the evenings. But the feedback from teachers and students was overwhelmingly positive. It was clear he was onto something big.
Gimkit Becomes an Official Company
So, when did Gimkit officially become a company? The official launch of Gimkit as a business happened in 2018. That’s when Josh Feinsilber turned his school project into a real startup, forming a company around it and launching the first public version of the platform.
By this time, Josh had graduated high school and was working on Gimkit full-time. The company was bootstrapped in its early days—meaning there were no big investors or funding rounds. It was a labor of love, sustained by Josh’s dedication and the enthusiastic support of teachers who believed in the product.
The team behind Gimkit remained small but nimble, and they focused on what mattered most: creating a user-friendly platform that actually made learning enjoyable. Word spread fast, and soon, thousands of teachers across the United States were signing up for Gimkit Home and classroom accounts.
What Makes Gimkit Different?
While the edtech space is crowded with platforms offering quizzes and review games, Gimkit stands out for a few key reasons. First, it’s incredibly customizable. Teachers can create kits (sets of questions), assign them as homework, or run them live in class. There’s even a Gimkit Home option that allows students to play independently outside of school hours.
Secondly, the game mechanics are smarter. Unlike traditional quiz platforms that rely purely on speed, Gimkit rewards strategy. Players can earn in-game cash for every correct answer, which they can reinvest into upgrades that help them score even more in future rounds. It’s a mix of learning and game design that keeps students hooked—and keeps them learning longer.
Another standout feature is the continuous innovation. The Gimkit team regularly rolls out new game modes, updates, and seasonal themes to keep things fresh. All of this helps explain why Gimkit has remained relevant and exciting since its launch as a company in 2018.
Growth and Popularity in Schools
From its official start in 2018, Gimkit quickly gained traction among educators. What began as a tool used by a few local teachers snowballed into a platform used by thousands of schools across the United States and even internationally.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 played a big role in accelerating its growth. As schools moved online, teachers scrambled for digital tools that could keep students engaged. Gimkit’s interactive, self-paced, and remote-friendly design made it a perfect fit for distance learning.
During this time, Gimkit Home became particularly valuable. Students could log in from their own devices, play review games on their own schedule, and stay engaged with coursework in a fun and stress-free way. This helped Gimkit evolve from a simple classroom tool into a full-service educational platform.
The Team Behind Gimkit
Although Josh Feinsilber started Gimkit on his own, he didn’t stay solo for long. As the platform grew, so did the team. The Gimkit team remains relatively small and tight-knit, but they’ve been instrumental in shaping the platform’s success.
One thing that sets Gimkit apart is that its creators are deeply connected to the education world. Many of them are former students and educators themselves. This insider perspective helps them stay focused on what teachers and students really need.
Their approach is refreshingly simple: listen to users, improve the product, and stay true to the mission of making learning fun. This attitude has earned them a loyal following and strong reputation within the education community.
Gimkit’s Features Today
If you visit gimkit.com today, you’ll find a suite of tools designed for teachers and students alike. Here’s what you can expect from the modern version of Gimkit:
- Live Game Modes: Teachers can host live games in class, encouraging group participation and team-based learning.
- Assignments: Quizzes can be assigned as homework or asynchronous activities through Gimkit Home.
- Game Themes: From “Trust No One” (inspired by Among Us) to “The Floor is Lava,” the platform offers themed games that change how students interact with content.
- KitCollab: A feature that lets students contribute questions to the quiz, making the process more collaborative.
- Reports and Analytics: Teachers can track performance, identify struggling students, and customize content accordingly.
These features are not just bells and whistles—they’re thoughtfully designed to align with how students learn best in today’s classrooms.
Gimkit Home: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Another reason Gimkit’s popularity has skyrocketed is the introduction of Gimkit Home. This feature allows students to continue learning outside of class, either individually or in small groups. It’s a major win for hybrid learning environments.
With Gimkit Home, students don’t need to rely on a live teacher to guide their learning. Instead, they can access assignments, play games, and revisit content at their own pace. It makes reviewing for exams or brushing up on tough subjects a whole lot more enjoyable.
This flexibility has turned Gimkit from a one-time classroom activity into a learning companion that students can use year-round.
The Business Side of Gimkit
As a company, Gimkit runs on a freemium model. Teachers can sign up and use a basic version of the platform for free. For those who want access to premium features—like unlimited kits, advanced game modes, or detailed analytics—there’s a paid subscription available.
This business model has helped Gimkit remain accessible to most schools while generating enough revenue to keep development going strong. By avoiding ads and focusing on direct value for educators, Gimkit has maintained a clean and user-friendly experience.
Even though the company has grown since its official founding in 2018, it has never lost its grassroots feel. The platform still feels personal and teacher-focused, which is a big part of its continued appeal.
Future of Gimkit: What’s Next?
If the past few years are any indication, Gimkit isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The company continues to release new features and experiment with different game formats. They’re clearly committed to staying innovative and teacher-driven.
There’s also potential for Gimkit to expand into new educational markets—perhaps offering more tools for older students, or even branching into corporate training or professional development. But no matter what direction they take, the core idea will likely stay the same: make learning so fun that students forget they’re studying.
Final Thoughts: From a School Project to a Learning Revolution
To sum it all up, Gimkit officially became a company in 2018, transforming from a high school project into a widely used educational platform. Since then, it has grown rapidly thanks to its unique game mechanics, student-focused design, and commitment to helping educators.
What makes Gimkit truly special isn’t just the technology—it’s the philosophy behind it. By blending strategy with study, and fun with function, it has turned what could be another boring quiz app into a platform students actually want to use.
As it continues to grow and evolve, Gimkit is showing no signs of fading. For teachers looking to make an impact and students who crave a more engaging way to learn, Gimkit is not just a tool—it’s a game-changer.
