At the 1909 Startup Showcase, amid a sea of AI powered apps, fintech platforms, and real estate disruptors, one founder took the stage to remind the crowd of a timeless challenge: education.
Sarah Crill, founder of Cultivate Intellect, delivered a compelling, heartfelt pitch focused not on flashy tech, but on reshaping how students and parents experience academic support.
Who here has felt frustrated trying to help their child with homework? And who here has been disappointed by the lack of support from their child’s school?
asked Sarah Crill, Founder of Cultivate Intellect.
It’s a pain point Crill knows intimately. A seasoned educator with degrees in Physics and Biology from Florida Atlantic University, Crill launched Cultivate Intellect to offer what she says is often missing in the traditional education system: personalized, science-backed academic coaching that addresses the student as a whole person.
Her pitch wasn’t hypothetical, it was grounded in real success stories, like Lin, a 7th grader struggling with math. With Crill’s help, Lin not only regained confidence but advanced to taking two math classes in 8th grade, earned top grades, and ultimately secured a spot at her high school of choice. A proud dad later texted Crill a photo of Lin holding her Principal’s Award, along with the words: “How you have helped can be quantified”.
Crill’s approach blends academic rigor with empathy. Unlike one-size-fits-all tutoring programs, Cultivate Intellect offers individualized plans rooted in cognitive science and tailored to each student’s goals, challenges, and learning style. It’s a method honed through Crill’s eight years of teaching and tutoring across STEM subjects, test prep, and study skills.
Persistence is more powerful than natural ability. Intellect is a tool to be cultivated.
said Sarah Crill, Founder of Cultivate Intellect.
Parents and students seem to agree. Dozens of glowing Google reviews speak to her impact, from ACT score jumps (a 25 to a 32, or a 19 to a 24) to GPA boosts and increased student confidence. Many say Crill’s support extends beyond academics, helping students navigate anxiety, build resilience, and feel seen.
Cultivate Intellect, currently operating as a solo venture, offers tutoring for middle school, high school, and college students, with particular strength in STEM, standardized tests like the SAT/ACT, and academic coaching. At the Showcase, Crill invited families to experience her model firsthand with a free, no-strings-attached one-hour session.
The pitch resonated with 1909’s entrepreneurial crowd, many of whom juggled startup stress with parenting challenges.
Crill, who describes herself as a lifelong learner driven by curiosity, believes the future of education isn’t just about what happens in classrooms but in cultivating confidence, skills, and a growth mindset that last far beyond report cards.