codley coding and technology Skill up The platform developed by Rist Labs has secured $10 million in user acquisition funding from financial services firm PvX Partners as it looks to expand globally and scale its adoption. A.I.-Supported learning models.
The platform, which operates in 185 countries, focuses on hands-on learning rather than video-based instruction and reflects EdTech’s broader shift toward applied skills development. The funds will be used to increase marketing spend and accelerate user growth without diluting equity.
Kodree is the first product from Rist Labs, the Ukraine-based studio founded by the team behind Mate Academy, including Roman Apostol, Anna Apostol, and Max Lysak. The company is focused on building AI-powered consumer learning products for global markets.
Practice-first model supported by AI mentors
Kodree is built around a “learn by doing” approach, where users complete exercises and real-world projects supported by an AI assistant that provides feedback and suggests solutions. The platform is designed for both career changers and professionals looking to improve their technical skills.
“About 80% of the learning process in Kodree is hands-on practice,” says Oleksandr Bartosiuk, CEO of Kodree and former head of product at Mate academy. I don’t believe in passive learning by watching videos. It creates the illusion of knowledge, but it doesn’t build real skills.”
This model positions Kodree in a growing segment of EdTech platforms that focus on measurable skill acquisition rather than content consumption, particularly in areas such as coding and technical roles.
Rist Labs expands product development strategy
Rist Labs was founded as a product studio to formalize internal experimentation within Mate Academy and develop new AI-driven learning products for a global audience.
Max Lysak, co-founder of Mate academy, said: “At Mate academy, we have always been experimenting with new product ideas. Over time, this has evolved into a dedicated R&D direction. Rist Labs gives us a way to systematically build new world-class products.”
Kodree operates as an independent company under this structure, with its own leadership and financial model, while leveraging the technical and operational expertise of its parent organization.
Funding models reflect changes in EdTech growth strategies
The $10 million facility from PvX Partners is structured as non-dilutive user acquisition financing, allowing Kodree to expand its marketing without giving up any equity. PvX specializes in cohort-based financing models for consumer applications, providing capital linked to performance and growth metrics.
This approach is gaining traction among EdTech companies seeking alternatives to traditional venture funding, especially in markets where user acquisition costs remain high and revenue schedules are under scrutiny.
A focus on marketing-led growth combined with a practice-led product model suggests Codley is well-positioned to compete in a crowded global skills market where differentiation increasingly relies on outcomes rather than quantity of content.
ETIH Innovation Award 2026
ETIH Innovation Award 2026 is now open and highly appreciatedStrengthen your educational technology organization to deliver measurable impact across K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The award welcomes applications from the UK, the Americas and overseas, and applications will be assessed on the basis of evidence of achievement and practical application.
