Matific: The Edtech Complementing Chile's Digital Education Strategy and Part of UNICEF's Blue Unicorn Program
"We believe mathematics can and should be accessible, collaborative, and inspiring for every child in Chile, Latin America, and beyond," reflects said CEO Matific, Craig Shotland.
Matific, the global edtech company using educational technology to transform math learning through game-based experiences, has been selected by UNICEF as part of the inaugural Blue Unicorn Portfolio — a bold initiative that highlights the world’s most impactful education technologies, ready to scale in collaboration with governments.
As we did with the three Finnish edtechs chosen in the same UNICEF program, we spoke with Matific’s CEO about the scope of this achievement and what it means for the company.
Matific operates in over 70 countries (120 locales) and is available in more than 50 languages. "Our key markets include Latin America, the United States, Australia, and Europe, with a growing presence across the Middle East and Africa. In Latin America specifically, they have a significant presence in countries like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, where we work closely with educators and ministries to support students’ learning journeys", said CEO Matific, Craig Shotland.
What does this recognition mean for Matific?
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"Being selected as part of UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn portfolio is a significant acknowledgment of Matific’s impact in digital math education. It reinforces our mission to make high-quality, engaging math learning accessible to all children, regardless of location and background. We’re proud to be recognised for both our educational innovation and our positive contribution to learning outcomes across diverse communities".
How did your participation and eventual selection come about?
"UNICEF Global Learning Innovation Hub invited organisations that are driving meaningful innovation in education to participate in the Blue Unicorn initiative. Matific was recommended based on our track record in improving math engagement and learning outcomesglobally. Following a rigorous evaluation process, we were selected for our pedagogical approach, measurable impact, and scalability across education systems".
What’s next for Matific?
"We’re continuing to expand our impact with ministries of education, schools, and organisations that share our vision of the importance of the highest quality maths education. In Latin America, we’re deepening our collaboration with public and private sectors to strengthen math education and digital learning adoption. Globally, we’re enhancing our platform through AI-driven initiatives, including an AI assistant and AI personalisation, and expanding into new subject areas, such as financial literacy", said CEO Matific, Craig Shotland.
IMPACT IN CHILE
For Chile, this recognition is particularly meaningful. The country has been a leader in digital education strategies, investing in modern technology to strengthen learning outcomes. However, mathematics remains a national challenge, as SIMCE results consistently reveal performance gaps between students from different regions and socioeconomic backgrounds.
"Being part of UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn portfolio in Ghana and Egypt is a major milestone in Matific’s global journey. Being selected for this global initiative gives us even more energy to continue our mission. In Chile, we are committed to complementing national digital education strategies with evidence-based math tools that help improve results in key assessments such as SIMCE," emphasizes Craig Shotland, CEO of Matific.
The UNICEF Global Learning Hub announced that Matific will be implemented in Egypt and Ghana, in partnership with each country’s Ministry of Education and UNICEF offices. As one of only seven organizations selected worldwide, Matific will support scalable educational models aiming to collectively reach 100 million children with high-quality learning solutions.
"We believe mathematics can and should be accessible, collaborative, and inspiring for every child in Chile, Latin America, and beyond," reflects Shotland, noting that Matific’s inclusion in UNICEF’s Blue Unicorn portfolio demonstrates how adaptive, evidence-based digital tools can directly complement Chile’s educational priorities.
With curriculum-aligned math content and new features designed to strengthen understanding, Matific helps prepare students for better results in standardized assessments such as SIMCE, making math learning more interactive, engaging, and effective.
Supporting Chile’s Education Agenda
Aligned with Chile’s focus on digital innovation, academic performance, and teacher support, Matific’s adaptive platform contributes to these national goals by:
Complementing national digital strategies with evidence-based, curriculum-aligned math content.Improving student performance in SIMCE, addressing learning gaps through adaptive and personalized pathways.Engaging students with game-based learning experiences that boost motivation and retention.Empowering teachers with real-time insights to guide instruction and reduce administrative workload.
Meanwhile, Carlos Ferrari, Innovation Manager at the UNICEF Global Learning Innovation Hub, highlights: "Innovation in education isn’t measured by devices or platforms, but by the opportunities it creates for every child. Through the Blue Unicorn portfolio — which includes Matific in its first cohort — UNICEF is helping scale solutions like Matific in Ghana and Egypt, combining evidence, equity, and accessibility to ensure technology truly enhances learning for those who need it most."