For over 20 years, Cool Math Games has been making math fun and accessible for millions of students worldwide through its library of outrageously entertaining educational games. But who exactly created this legendary edtech brand that has become a staple of classrooms everywhere? As an investment analyst and math gaming enthusiast, I‘ve done some digging into the history and inner workings of this trailblazing company.
Meet the Unknown Visionaries Behind Cool Math
Cool Math Games was founded in 1997 by Coolmath LLC, a privately-held company based in New York City. The site was the brainchild of founders who believed that games could make learning math engaging rather than intimidating.
Unfortunately the specific founders behind Coolmath have chosen to remain anonymous. The brand has grown much bigger than any individual over the past two decades. But we applaud these unknown visionaries for following their passion and creating such an impactful tool to foster a love of math worldwide.
Pioneering the Edutainment Category in Gaming
When Cool Math first launched in 1997, the idea of playing games to learn math was still a novel concept. But the site quickly won over students and parents with its motto: "Where logic & thinking meet fun & games."
Cool Math pioneered the "edutainment" gaming category by proving that games don‘t have to sacrifice fun in order to enrich players‘ minds. The educational value was always front and center – never an afterthought. And Cool Math made studying math cool!
An Ever-Expanding Library with Over 1,000 Games
What started as a small collection of basic math games has evolved into a massive library with over 1,000 titles spanning everything from arithmetic to algebra, geometry to physics.
Some of the most popular Cool Math games include:
- Run 3 – The latest entry in the epic Run platformer series with over 500 million total plays.
- Papa‘s Freezeria – A wild restaurant simulation serving over 100 million milkshakes and sundaes.
- Chess – The classic strategy board game enjoyed by over 45 million players on Cool Math.
- Fireboy and Watergirl – A co-op adventure series with 40+ million levels completed by the iconic elemental duo.
And new games are added every week to keep the selection fresh and exciting!
By the Numbers: A Look at Cool Math‘s Wild Growth
Cool Math Games has seen meteoric growth over its 20+ year run. Just take a look at some of these staggering stats:
- 60 million monthly users as of 2022, up from 40 million in 2019.
- 350 billion total game plays and counting!
- Games like Run 3 and Papa‘s Freezeria topping 500 million plays each.
- #1 most visited math education site.
- 8 minutes – the average time spent playing per visit.
- 200+ countries with Coolmath players.
For a site started in the 90s internet stone age, these numbers show the incredible reach and popularity Cool Math has achieved through word-of-mouth alone!
Monetization Done Right: Focusing on Users
As a free site, how does Cool Math pay the bills without charging subscription fees? Mainly through advertisements – but done in a way that doesn‘t harm the user experience.
- Google AdSense provides unintrusive text ads on the sides of most game pages.
- Short pre-roll video ads play before some games.
- Banners for educational programs are selectively placed.
- Premium memberships are available to remove ads entirely.
The team is also very responsive to user complaints about disruptive or inappropriate ads. This balanced approach has allowed Cool Math to thrive on ad revenue without sacrificing their audience.
The Impact: Making Math Fun for Generations of Students
It‘s impossible to quantify the full impact Cool Math has had over the past 20+ years. But it‘s safe to say this site has shaped millions of young minds and fostered a passion for math learning through play.
Here are some of the incredible ways Cool Math is making a difference:
- Math confidence – Games that make math approachable give students confidence instead of anxiety.
- Engagement – The interactive games get kids engaged with concepts instead of just memorizing.
- Adaptivity – With different difficulty levels, all students can find the right challenge.
- Supplemental learning – Games reinforce lessons and let students practice at their own pace.
- Teacher aid – Games are used as lesson supplements and rewards in classrooms worldwide.
The team receives emails daily from appreciative teachers, parents, and students whose attitudes towards math improved thanks to Cool Math‘s games. And that revolutionary impact is what really matters.
The Future: Building on a Legacy of Innovation
If the last 20 years are any indication, Cool Math is just getting warmed up! The team continues updating classic games while also releasing exciting new titles on a weekly basis.
Some of their goals going forward:
- Release their 1,500th game!
- Continue expanding into new subject areas beyond just math.
- Grow their user community in India, China, and emerging markets.
- Partner with educators on developing custom games aligned to curriculums.
Cool Math has already proven there is an eager audience hungry for games that both educate and entertain. As long as they stay true to their mission of making learning fun, this beloved edtech brand is sure to keep making a positive impact for decades to come!
