FlatWorld is a publisher of college-level textbooks and educational supplements for a worldwide audience[1][2][3][4] founded in 2007 as Flat World Knowledge by Eric Frank and Jeff Shelstad.[5] It was acquired at the end of 2016 by Alastair Adam and John Eielson and its company headquarters was moved from Washington, DC, to Boston, Massachusetts. Following this acquisition, the company rebranded as FlatWorld.
In 2007, Flat World Knowledge was founded by Jeff Shelstad and Eric Frank in Nyack, New York.[6] By August 2009, Flat World textbooks had been adopted at 400 colleges for use by 40,000 students.[7][8] In 2010, Flat World Knowledge moved from Nyack, New York to Irvington, New York.[9] That year, Flat World Knowledge claimed that they would save[10] 150,000 college students $12 million in textbook costs in the 2010–2011 school year after adoptions by more than 1,300 educators as of August 2010.[11]
FlatWorld secured $11.5 million in investments through 2010, including an initial $700k angel investment.[12][13][14][15]
The company originally offered every textbook published free using online delivery under the open content paradigm,[22][23] but in November 2012, the company announced that it would no longer offer free access to textbooks.[24]
In late 2016, Flat World Knowledge was acquired by Alastair Adam and John Eielson and rebranded as FlatWorld.
Flat World Knowledge textbooks have been developed for accessible publishing. Flat World Knowledge partnered with Bookshare to provide books using an electronic Braille format.[25] Flat World was the first postsecondary textbook publisher to recognize and alleviate this problem.[26]
Digital textbook and course material formats offer sustainability advantages over traditional paper textbooks.[27][28] According to a publishing industry study, an estimated "net [carbon] emission of 8.85 pounds per book [is created for each paper book] sold to consumers."[29] In 2010–2011, approximately 57.5% of students using FlatWorld texts opted for entirely digital delivery. As of fall 2011, 70% of students opt for digital formats,[30] significantly reducing the ecologic footprint from textbook use when compared to the historic paper textbook format.[31][32]
^Center for Educational Technology. "Shaping the Future: Reconstructing the Textbook in the Digital Age." Eric Frank, Presenter. “Is There Still Such a Thing as a Free Lunch? Economic Models for Content on the Web,” and “Mommy, What’s a Book? The Nature of the Books of the Future.” Tel Aviv, Israel, March 27–28.
^Carpenter, Mason A. "Flat World Knowledge: Creating a Global Revolution in College Textbooks!" Social Science Research Network. Case abstract available at SSRN1588144.
^GSA Venture Partners. Focus.Archived 2010-11-23 at the Wayback Machine "We serve entrepreneurs who transform industries and build great companies. As active, long-term partners to our entrepreneurs, we contribute capital, strategic advice, and a deep network of relationships to fuel their success." 2011.
^Kerscher, George, and Jim Fruchterman. "The Soundproof Book: Exploration of Rights conflict and Access to Commercial EBooks for People with Disabilities." DAISY Consortium. Accessed January 2, 2011.
