Ed Tech Expert Michael Horn to Direct $25 Million Robin Hood Education + Technology Fund

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - December 08, 2015) - Robin Hood, New York City's largest poverty-fighting organization, the Overdeck Family Foundation, and Siegel Family Endowment announced today that Michael B. Horn will lead the $25 million Robin Hood Education + Technology Fund.

Horn, the co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute, a non-profit think tank, and the author of several award-winning books on the power of disruptive innovation in education, will oversee the five-year initiative and guide the Fund's investment strategy. "Our society is changing rapidly, and with these changes, the opportunity to transform our schools to help every child achieve his or her fullest potential has never been greater or more urgent," Horn said. "I'm thrilled to work with Robin Hood, Overdeck Family Foundation, and Siegel Family Endowment to craft a strategy that leverages this Fund to have an outsized impact for New York City's students and schools."

The Fund, a partnership among Robin Hood, the Overdeck Family Foundation and Siegel Family Endowment, seeks to unlock the potential of technology to advance achievement for low-income students. Horn will report to David Siegel and John Overdeck, who are chairing the Fund's Advisory Board. Overdeck and Siegel are Co-Chairmen of Two Sigma, an investment manager using data science to manage $30 billion of investment assets.

"Educating all our kids is a shovel-ready investment in the future of our democracy," said Overdeck. "Michael Horn's vision will help the Robin Hood Education + Technology Fund make a significant difference for students in New York City and the country."

"Technology is revolutionizing a range of industries and there is tremendous opportunity for it to be used to enhance the learning experience for students," said Siegel. "The Education + Technology Fund has the potential to help transform education."

The Robin Hood Education + Technology Fund will create crosscutting impact on ed tech (how we teach) and technology education (what we teach). Horn will vet the potential of the investment strategies to create measurable change for New York City's schools and low-income students.

The Fund is guided by an advisory board that includes:

• John Overdeck, Co-chairman, Two Sigma Investments, LLC and co-chair of Advisory Board
• David Siegel, Co-chairman, Two Sigma Investments, LLC and co-chair of Advisory Board
• Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, founder and president, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen Foundation
• Dan Huttenlocher, dean and vice provost, Cornell Tech
• Eric Schmidt, executive chairman, Google

"Education is a critical tool in the fight against poverty, and we're thrilled to have Michael join us in this fight," said David Saltzman, executive director of Robin Hood. "As Michael knows well, disruptive technology can be a force for improving education overall and for low-income students in New York City in particular."

Horn speaks and writes about the future of education and works with a portfolio of education organizations to improve students' lives. In addition to leading Robin Hood's Education + Technology Fund, he is a principal consultant for Entangled Solutions, a distinguished fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, and sits on the board of Education Elements. Horn is the author and coauthor of multiple books and was named one of 100 most important people in the creation and advancement of the use of technology in education by Tech & Learning magazine. He holds a BA in history from Yale University and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

About Robin Hood

Robin Hood, New York's largest poverty-fighting organization, creates and funds over 200 of the most effective programs, to help 1.8 million New Yorkers learn and earn their way out of poverty. Robin Hood's board underwrites all operating costs, so 100% of your donation goes directly to serve New Yorkers in need. www.robinhood.org Facebook: facebook.com/robinhood Twitter: @robinhoodnyc

About the Overdeck Family Foundation

John and Laura Overdeck established the Overdeck Family Foundation in 2011. The foundation seeks to fill children's untapped academic potential by funding compelling, innovative programs and projects that have proven, quantifiable results. John Overdeck, president, is the co-founder and co-chairman of Two Sigma Investments. Laura Overdeck, chair, founded Bedtime Math, a nonprofit that helps kids love math so they will excel at it.

About the Siegel Family Endowment

Siegel Family Endowment is dedicated to ensuring the K-12 education system is increasingly relevant to today's technology-driven society. To this end, the foundation makes financial and intellectual investments at the intersection of education, technology, and data; gives voice to exceptional people with great ideas who continually push boundaries; and builds strong connections and encourages collaboration.

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