Press · MN Cup 2026
Named Education & Training Division runner-up
SmartPAL earned runner-up honors in Minnesota’s statewide startup competition and will join the MN Cup community at the September 14 Grand Finale.
- 40+ courses at the University of Minnesota
- 4,000+ students supported in real classrooms
- NSF I-Corps validated with randomized controlled trials
Lives inside Canvas — no extra workflow
SmartPAL installs as a plug-in to the learning platform your institution already uses. Students get a 24/7 course companion; instructors get learning insight — without a new login or another tool to manage.
Help before grades reveal the gap
SmartPAL is there when students struggle — including late nights and weekends — with timely nudges, encouragement, and answers to routine questions. Instructors see engagement and progress as it happens, not only after the first exam.
Not a generic chatbot
A course-aware companion grounded in this class's syllabus, documents, deadlines, and announcements — not the open web. Students ask about their coursework and get answers tied to what they're actually learning.
A weekly signal on where to help
AI summaries of student reflections surface what's working, where the class is struggling, and who may need support — so instructors can target help before the next class meets, without adding another task to their week.
Proven in the classroom
Validated at the University of Minnesota — with instructors and students who keep coming back.
Instructors
“It reduces email questions on basic logistics. It's great to have feedback earlier than the end of the semester.”
“SmartPAL's briefings give me quick insights into how my students are doing and save me tons of time.”
“SmartPAL's feedback tools make it easier for me to focus on my students.”
Students
“Focuses on my class content instead of being broad like other chatbots.”
“Love the dashboard trackers and the charts that show my metrics.”
“I like the avatars that you can level up to and how easy it was to track what I had due each week.”
Ready to use SmartPAL?
Open from Canvas in your browser — or add the optional mobile app when you want help on the go.
Get startedGet in Touch with Us
Send us a message using the form, or email contact@smartpal.org. Visit About us for our team and location.