Accelerator

Meet Edsemble: The Startup on a Quest to Help Parents Raise a Curious Generation

Most parents want to give their kids the best start in life. But between endless parenting advice and millions of book options, it’s hard to know where to begin. That’s where Edsemble steps in.

By
Phoebe Pincus
Phoebe Pincus
August 28, 2025


Most parents want to give their kids the best start in life. But between endless parenting advice and millions of book options, it’s hard to know where to begin. 


That’s where Edsemble steps in.


Edsemble
, Startmate Summer'25 Accelerator, is building personalised early childhood development - one storybook at a time. 


Their first product is a personalised book subscription for children aged 0-6. You enter your child’s birthdate, and Edsemble sends age-appropriate, engaging and developmental books - plus a simple guide to help parents get the most developmental value from every story. The goal? To turn everyday reading into a powerful tool for early learning and problem-solving.


The vision is to personalise books and toys to each individual child’s developmental stage and interests.


Brought to life by co-founders Duncan Anderson and Mel Liu, Edsemble grew from a passion project for Duncan’s nieces into a fast-growing platform. Backed by a decade of experience building an e-learning platform, Edrolo, Duncan saw firsthand how early learning can be enhanced by today’s tech.


What began with a few handpicked titles soon became a growing community of parents using books to navigate toddler tantrums, spark curiosity, and build emotional resilience.


What sets Edsemble apart is its blend of bringing learning even into the smallest of moments. From sharing to brushing teeth, each book is chosen not just to entertain, but to support the real-world challenges parents face. 


Edsemble
, one of 16 startups in the Summer’25 Startmate Accelerator, is on the hunt for smarter, more thoughtful ways to support our youngest generation. Duncan and Mel, aren’t just building a subscription - they’re building a foundation for lifelong learning.

📹 Learn more about Edsemble from co-founder Duncan


📚 If you have a child, niece, nephew or little one in your life aged zero to six,
consider giving them a smarter storytime.


Learn more about Edsemble or connect with Duncan and Mel on LinkedIn.

Phoebe Pincus
COO @ Startmate
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