Building Lasting Communities: Insights from Tade Oyerinde and Teddy Solomon at TechCrunch Disrupt
December 31, 2025
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Tade Oyerinde and Teddy Solomon are experts in creating sustainable communities through education and social technology. Oyerinde, founder and chancellor of the online school Campus, and Solomon, co-founder of the college social app Fizz, shared their strategies at this year's TechCrunch Disrupt, highlighting how they have scaled their companies while maintaining consumer engagement.
Campus: Revolutionizing Online Education
Campus offers an array of associate degrees in fields like information technology and business administration, along with specialized certificates such as cosmetology and phlebotomy. With over 3,000 students and more than 100 faculty members, the platform aims to provide accessible education online.
Oyerinde emphasized the importance of flexibility with the recent introduction of à la carte courses, tailored to meet employer demands for specific skill training like vibe coding. He envisions a future where everyone can subscribe to a membership service for continuous upskilling, not just traditional degree seekers.
“Everyone in this room, not just two-year degree-seeking people, will be able to go to Campus and learn with us. Live, online classes, taught by amazing people,” Oyerinde stated during the event.
To keep education affordable, Oyerinde leverages Pell Grants and benefits from backing by billionaire investors such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Discord’s Jason Citroen. This support lessens the pressure to prioritize profit, aligning their mission to reshape education positively.
Fizz: Connecting Students and Educators
Founded in 2021, Fizz operates on over 200 college campuses and previously expanded into high schools nationwide. The platform has raised more than $40 million from investors like Owl Ventures and NEA. It features a peer-to-peer marketplace with over 100,000 listings and incorporates video functionalities to enhance social interaction beyond text.
Solomon discussed plans for Global Fizz, aiming to extend the platform's reach beyond the U.S., and shared insights into monetization strategies. While exploring ad-based revenue models—already working with companies like Perplexity—the company remains committed to building a user-centric product.
“We’re focused on our ads business and building a great product that keeps our users around and makes them happy,” Solomon remarked.
He highlighted the significance of users in their growth strategy, emphasizing that maintaining a positive user experience is paramount for their success.
Looking Ahead
Both leaders underscored the importance of community and continuous learning, envisioning a future where educational platforms serve as lifelong membership services. Their focus remains on creating accessible, engaging, and sustainable ecosystems for learners worldwide.
For related inquiries or verification, contact Dominic-Madori Davis at TechCrunch via dominic.davis@techcrunch.com or Signal at +1 646 831-7565.