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BitDegree is an educational technology company. It was founded in 2017 by Hostinger, offering massive open online courses, learning apps, and Web3 certifications. Their learning approach integrates gamification, reward systems, and repetition techniques to engage users through points, rewards, and interactive lessons.

BitDegree is headquartered in Lithuania with offices in Vilnius and Kaunas.

History

BitDegree was founded in August 2017 in Kaunas, Lithuania, by Hostinger. The platform was initially developed as an e-learning project centered around the topics of blockchain development, information technology (IT), web development, programming, and data science.

With support from Stanford University Alumni, gamification scholar Dr. James K. Scarborough and Jeff Burton, co-founder of Electronic Arts (EA), BitDegree successfully completed a crowdfunding event, attracting over 12,000 contributors.

In 2018, the BitDegree e-learning platform went live and launched its first gamified Solidity course, Space Doggos. The introduction of the issuance of the first blockchain-based course certificates also marked this period.

In 2019, BitDegree localized its platform for global use by incorporating multiple languages, introduced blockchain-based micro-scholarships, added and gamified learning paths for learning web development.

In May 2019, the company reached milestones of 500,000 user sign-ups, and by November 2021, it reached 1 million learners.

In 2021, BitDegree began to emphasize Web3 and crypto-native learning by developing resources like its Crypto 101 Handbook and Crypto Wiki. They also introduced interactive learning tools in collaboration with brands like Unstoppable Domains, rewarding learners for completing tasks, and launching blockchain-secured certificates and NFT-gated courses.

In early 2022, BitDegree shifted its service model towards a strictly crypto-native approach, creating learning material focused on cryptocurrencies, crypto services, DeFi, Web3, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Also, in 2022, BitDegree developed the initial idea of the Learnoverse—a Metaverse-based city that would allow students, instructors, and brands to interact and share information with each other. This initiative was supported with $1 million in seed funding provided by Mistletoe Singapore, founded by Japanese billionaire Taizo Son.

In 2023, BitDegree showcased the “world's first” Web3 Exam at Web Summit, a gamified "Learn-to-Earn" experience offering NFT certificates aimed at onboarding beginners to Web3.

In 2024, BitDegree has pivoted to Missions, its integrated gamified Web3 challenges and reward system, including the platform’s "Bits" point system, and released its mobile app on iOS and Android in 2024.

Learning model

BitDegree has implemented a learning model that leverages the principles of gamification, specifically the Octalysis Framework, developed by Yu-kai Chou.

At the heart of this learning model is the Learn-to-Earn approach, where users earn cryptocurrency and other rewards as they progress through courses. This approach, which includes elements such as progress bars, challenges, leaderboards, and rewards, helps create a dynamic learning environment where users are motivated by both achievement and community recognition.

The integration of blockchain technology allows users to accumulate tokens that can be redeemed for educational content or certification.

BitDegree's use of the Octalysis Framework led to significant improvements in user engagement.

Strategic partners

In 2019, BitDegree partnered with Vilnius University to research the impact of economic incentives on students' motivation for online learning. The project received nearly €800,000 in EU funding to support its development.

In 2020, BitDegree collaborated with the Institute of Education at the University of Tartu in Estonia to develop an open learner model aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of e-learning.

In 2022, BitDegree cofounded EdTech Lithuania, an initiative designed to promote Lithuania as a global hub for educational technology projects.

Awards

In June 2018, BitDegree won the Global Startup Super League at EdTechX, recognizing its innovative contributions to the education technology sector.

In 2020, BitDegree was nominated for the 2020 Global Lithuania Awards “for the breakthrough of Lithuanian ideas in the world” and was a Lithuania National Finalist for Best Social Impact Startup by the Central European Startup Awards.

In February 2020, the organization was selected as a finalist for the EIC Horizon Blockchain for Social Good Prize, highlighting its impactful use of blockchain technology to address societal challenges.

In March 2020, BitDegree was named a United Nations World Summit Awards Champion in the “Education & Learning” category.

Criticism

Following the 2017 crowdfunding campaign, the company successfully built and popularised a learning platform, but various attempts at integrating utility tokens were not significantly adopted.

See also

• Gamification of learning
• Blockchain game

References

1. "A Look Inside BitDegree's Super Cool Office in Kaunas". 2018-10-07. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
2. ^ "„Bitdegree" ICO pavyko: pritraukta daugiau nei 20 mln. Eur Verslo žinios". Retrieved 2024-12-19.
3. ^ "Exclusive: Learnoverse CEO says traditional finance 'won't exist' without cryptocurrency". 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
4. "BitDegree Launches Blockchain Scholarship Platform to Fund Learners - eLearningInside News". 2019-09-03. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
5. "BitDegree to Launch the First Metaverse That Pays Users to Learn". 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
6. "BitDegree Raises 1M USD in Funding". 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
7. "Revolutionizing Learning with Octalysis Gamification: BitDegree". 2024-01-08. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
8. "The Octalysis Framework for Gamification & Behavioral Design". 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
9. "Framework". 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
10. "Pirmieji pasaulyje: „BitDegree" ir Vilniaus universitetas motyvuos mokytis internetu". 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
11. "Pirmieji pasaulyje: „BitDegree" ir Vilniaus universitetas motyvuos mokytis internetu". 2019-03-19. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
12. "University of Tartu and Lithuanian start-up company are developing an open learner model to enhance e-learning effectiveness - Education Estonia". 2020-10-06. Retrieved 2024-12-19.
13. "EdTech – ne burtažodis, o ateičiai pasirengęs švietimas - Iš komitetų, komisijų". Retrieved 2024-12-19.
14. "Nominantai 2020 - Globalios Lietuvos Apdovanojimai". Retrieved 2024-12-19.
15. "Lithuania National Finalists 2020 - Central European Startup Awards". Retrieved 2024-12-19.
16. "Lietuvių startuolis „BitDegree" – tarp pretendentų į 1 mln. eurų prizą". Retrieved 2024-12-19.
17. "Kauno startuoliui „BitDegree" – šansas susižerti milijoną eurų". Retrieved 2024-12-19.
18. "BitDegree". Retrieved 2024-12-20.

• Educational technology companies
• E-learning
• Companies based in Vilnius
• Internet properties established in 2017