Empower Learn is the education and AI practice of Gene Storz — co-founder of Education 2020 ($50M exit), former president of SeeWriteHear ($3M→$15M), US Patent holder, and a hands-on builder of AI-powered learning.
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About
I co-founded Education 2020 (now part of Imagine Learning), architected its instructional system across four product generations, programmed the first version, and launched its Virtual Schools Division — pioneering direct-to-student virtual instruction. I led it as CEO through its ~$50M sale to KKR-backed Weld North, the platform acquisition its edtech roll-up was built on, reaching roughly one million students across 48 states. I later led SeeWriteHear as president, scaling it from $3M to a ~$15M run rate ($30M+ in public-sector contracts). I hold US Patent 6,615,020.
Through Empower Learn, I bring both sides — operator and hands-on builder — to schools, edtech companies, and learning organizations that want to build real AI into how students learn, and do it responsibly. I also bring an accessibility background, from leading and selling accessibility services (Section 508, accessible content) at an accessibility company.
What I do
From instructional strategy to working software — I help education teams move from idea to shipped product.
Coherent, standards-grounded learning systems built on what the evidence supports.
Specialized prompt systems and AI models for targeted tasks, and orchestrating multiple models to optimize a product.
Training and fine-tuning open models (NVIDIA NeMo, Qwen, Mistral) for targeted purposes.
The evaluation, evidence, and data protection that education demands.
I'm a hands-on technical builder, not just an advisor — modern AI lets a focused team ship what used to take a department.
Selected work
Who I work with