Venture: Mote
Mote is an innovative edtech company specializing in voice feedback and audio communication tools for education. Its primary product, the Mote Chrome Extension, allows educators and students to leave voice comments directly in Google Docs, Slides, and Classroom—enhancing engagement and accessibility. Originally launched as a solution to streamline teacher feedback, Mote’s value proposition centers on humanizing digital communication while saving time for educators. The company has gained rapid adoption in schools globally, emphasizing simplicity, inclusivity, and seamless integration with Google Workspace.
In addition to leading Mote, Jackson spearheaded the development of Conker.ai, an AI-powered educational assessment platform launched in January 2023. Conker aims to alleviate the stress of assessment for teachers and empower students, particularly those with learning differences, by creating assessments that reflect diverse backgrounds and experiences .
Founder Bio
Jackson’s career began at McKinsey & Company, where he served as a Business Analyst and later as an Engagement Manager. He then held strategic leadership roles at major media and technology companies, such as BBC, Verizon, Vevo etc.
In 2019, he co-founded Voxally, a voice technology startup, before launching Mote in early 2020. Mote began as a workplace communication tool but pivoted to focus on K–12 education during the COVID-19 pandemic, gaining rapid adoption among teachers. Under Jackson’s leadership, Mote has grown to over 2 million users across 100 countries and has received support from organizations like the NewSchools Venture Fund.
Reflection
I think Jackson is deeply focused on solving real-world workflow challenges through voice technology. His career path is quite diverse, but there’s a consistent theme running through it: voice. Thanks to his broad professional background, he brings a strong emphasis on both user experience and product development.
Looking at Jackson’s journey, it becomes clear how valuable domain expertise can be when it’s paired with a genuine passion for solving problems. In one of his interviews, he said, “If you find yourself wondering how everyone else at your big company seems content with everything that drives you crazy, perhaps you’re cut out to be a founder.” That really captures his mindset.
He identified a key pain point in the market through his own work experience, which naturally led him to innovate in that space. His leadership at Mote shows a clear commitment to empowering educators and learners to communicate more effectively in asynchronous environments.
Overall, Jackson’s career combines strategic vision with entrepreneurial energy, positioning him well at the intersection of technology and education.
Website consulted:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/willmjackson
https://www.oxonianventures.com/portfolio-founder-spotlight/mote-founder-will-jackson-j74d2
Thank you for your founder and post, Yan. I think that Will’s pivot from workplace communication to K-12 around Covid-19 era shows his opportunistic and problem-solving nature, seeing an opportunity and capitalizing on it. Although Mote is a helpful tool, I don’t see it revolutionizing or rethinking the current education. Having said that, Will is a respectable role model for his practical and user/moment-driven innovations.
Will Jackson stands out as a founder who has strategically aligned his career experience with a strong product vision. His pivot from general voice tech to the education sector during the pandemic is an excellent example of a founder tuning in to a community’s immediate needs. The scale of Mote’s adoption and the seamless integration with tools educators already use speaks to smart, accessible design. What also makes Jackson a strong role model is his relentless focus on workflow optimization for teachers.
Rating: 5/5