Sunburst Technology

Sunburst Technology develops and distributes supplemental curriculum materials for the school market.  Founded in 1972, Sunburst emerged as a market leader in 1983 by releasing the widely-adopted Voyage of the MIMI series. Supporting this interdisciplinary, multimedia product with instructional software, Sunburst built a strong presence in the ed-tech market by creating stable and reliable programs.  Focusing its business on math and instructional keyboarding programs, Sunburst is best known for the Type to Learn® series and award-winning business simulation programs such as Hot Dog Stand: The Works and Ice Cream Truck.

A Brief History

Sunburst acquired Tenth Planet® in 1998, supporting the development of its skills-based early literacy and elementary number, fraction, and geometry programs.  In 1999, Sunburst was sold to the Houghton-Mifflin Company, which brought Math Arena®, the Little Planet® literacy series, and the Curious George® titles to the product line.  

Sunburst received the EdNet Hero Award in 2001 for making a positive impact in education through learning technologies. That year, Sunburst, as part of Houghton Mifflin, was purchased by Vivendi Universal. Creating a partnership with Knowledge Adventure® School Division, a Vivendi Universal company, Sunburst began to distribute popular brands such as the Jump Start™ Learning System and the Math Blaster® and Reading Blaster™ series.

In 2002, Houghton Mifflin divested Sunburst Technology, which then merged with Educational Resources to form the Sunburst Technology Corporation. In this transaction, Sunburst retained ownership of the HyperStudio® brand. In 2003, the Sunburst health and guidance video and print division joined School Specialties, Inc.  Sunburst acquired QuickMind.net in 2004.

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Management Structure

Sunburst Technology Corporation, located in Elgin, IL, and Valhalla, NY, is owned by Thayer Capital, an investment group based in Washington, D.C. Sunburst Technology is led by Mark Sotir, Chief Executive Officer. The company’s senior management team includes Scott Gibaratz, Chief Financial Officer; David Wolff, Vice President of Software Development; Daniel Figurski, Vice President of Sales; and Mike Gavelek, Vice President of Marketing.

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Market Position

Both Sunburst and Educational Resources are well-respected names in the school market. Sunburst is known for its high-quality software programs for the PreK-12 classroom, service-oriented technical support, and customer service teams. Sunburst dominates the field of instructional keyboarding and is a leading publisher of early literacy and middle-school math programs.

In addition to producing and selling original software, Sunburst Technology Corporation also distributes a broad array of educational technology materials including hardware, Web-based products, and print materials.

Educational Resources distributes a wide range of school technology products. With an ability to form strategic partnerships, Educational Resources provides schools with both popular and hard-to-find products at favorable pricing.

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Distribution

This multi-million dollar business derives most of its revenue through the efforts of a direct-mail marketing team located in Valhalla, NY. Unsurpassed in any industry for its precision, discipline, and organization, this group supplies marketing data that directs the growth of the company. A small field force represents the company to large school districts and state departments of education. A telemarketing group maintains professional relationships with key customers. Other sales channels include an Internet marketing team and a resellers team.

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Growth Potential

Sunburst continues to thrive by staying focused on core business benchmarks and exceeding customer expectations.

The new Key Skills series, which presents practice and assessment activities for reading and math success, is at the core of the company’s development focus. The series helps teachers and students meet demanding learning standards with engaging, high-interest activities. The series also offers automatic assessment reports, which help teachers maintain high levels of accountability.

With the purchase of QuickMind.net in 2004, Sunburst expanded its product line to include Web-based programs. Offering online educational resources along with assignment, assessment, and reporting tools, QuickMind.net can provide teachers with an unprecedented level of support. QuickMind.net also gives subscribers access to Sunburst’s bestselling programs, such as the Tenth Planet®, available online at a fraction of the price.

While developing these cutting-edge products, Sunburst also works to maintain and improve the quality of old favorites. Sunburst has published a technically-updated version of HyperStudio 4®, which is available as a free upgrade to any HyperStudio 4® user through Sunburst Customer Service. Sunburst also works to update popular programs for the most current Windows and Mac operating systems.

Through customer-focused products and services, Sunburst Technology Corporation is committed to providing teachers with the tools they and their students need.

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