Same Mission, New Nonprofit: Unizin, Ltd.

Published May 2, 2016

Nearly two years ago, an idea to improve higher education through digital technologies took shape as Unizin. During that time, we at Unizin have had the privilege of seeing first-hand how another edtech consortium operates. Internet2 started with 34 universities; today, hundreds of universities rely on the services Internet2 provides. Along the way, Internet2 imparted Unizin with knowledge to bridge the divide between industry, members, and customers.

Today, I’m happy to announce the launch of Unizin, Ltd., a 501(c)(3) registered in the state of Delaware. We are still governed by our Founding Members under the model we have always had. Our staff, intellectual property, and other assets were all transferred to Unizin, Ltd. from Internet2.

Unizin has plans to move into new areas of growth in the near future. And while these are the early days of our roadmap, we have found that it is an opportune time for Unizin to leave our incubator and venture off on our own. As Google President, Larry Page, said in the announcement of Alphabet, “in the technology industry, where revolutionary ideas drive the next big growth areas, you need to be a bit uncomfortable to stay relevant.”

This new separation does not at all change Unizin’s vision, mission, or strategy, but rather will afford us more agility to achieve them. As we stretch beyond expectations, we are confident that we’ll be able to utilize our resources to achieve more ambitious goals in this new chapter of Unizin. In the immediate future, we’re excited about helping universities collaborate through a common platform and find the right path to a pervasive analytics solution. Unizin is creating a more effective and intuitive workflow for course creation and design, promoting the use of OER and faculty-generated content, continuing to provide innovative and affordable ways to access publisher content, and supporting standards-based technology.

I am certain we will continue to challenge the notions of what Unizin is in the future. Unizin, Ltd. will serve our membership with greater focus and renewed intensity.