About Inspiration Software, Inc.

 
Leader in Visual Thinking and Learning
Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration® Software, Inc.'s award-winning technology tools are based on proven visual learning methodologies that help students, educators and 21st century business leaders think, learn, brainstorm, analyze and write. The company’s visual learning tools are used by more than 25 million people worldwide and are revolutionizing visual thinking and learning in education. Inspiration®, Kidspiration® and InspireData® inspire students and creative thinkers to develop strong thinking and organizational skills, improve their academic performance and tap the power of visual thinking.

Our mission
Our company strives to support improvements in education and business and to make a positive difference in our users' lives by providing software tools that help people of all ages use visual thinking and visual learning to achieve academic, professional and personal goals.

Recognized Commitment to Excellence
From inspiring students to study and learn successfully to helping adults and project teams work more productively, Inspiration Software is dedicated to improving academic and professional performance. In addition to creating technology and resource materials that build critical-thinking skills for users of all ages, the company offers professional development scholarships for educators. Company leaders demonstrate their commitment to encouraging the use of technology to improve education by serving on industry boards and committees such as the Software & Information Industry Association's (SIIA) Education Division Board. In its hometown of Portland, Ore., Inspiration Software gives back to the community through support of local schools and education initiatives.

Since its debut more than two decades ago, the company's flagship visual learning software, Inspiration, has garnered numerous awards from the education, technology and parenting communities, including four prestigious SIIA CODiE Awards; an Award of Excellence from “Tech & Learning” magazine; the Editor’s Choice Award from “Children’s Technology Review;” as well as multiple awards from the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP). Since its launch in early 2008, Kidspiration 3, the newest version of Inspiration Software's visual learning software for young learners, has earned 18 awards across the education, parenting and technology communities, including a 2009 SIIA CODiE Award. Kidspiration also boasts two AEP Distinguished Achievement Awards.

InspireData has earned many accolades as well. InspireData won a 2007 Award of Excellence from "Tech & Learning" magazine and was recognized in the 12th annual Education Software Review (EDDIES) program. The software also won three consecutive BESSIE Awards and was picked as one of the Top 100 products of 2007 by "District Administration" readers. As a company, Inspiration Software has been honored for its accomplishments, receiving the 2007 EdNET IMPACT award as well as prior HERO and Pioneer awards for making significant contributions to education technology and the education market. In 2002, the company ranked 310th in its first appearance on the Inc. 500, "Inc." magazine's list of the 500 fastest growing U.S. private companies. Inspiration Software takes pride in being an innovative place to work and on making a positive difference in people's lives.

Company History
For more than a quarter century, Inspiration Software's focus has been developing innovative technology to support visual thinking and learning. Founded in 1982 by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company developed its first product for the CP/M operating system to help systems analysts build products to meet business needs. Next, Inspiration Software created a line of products for the Tandy Model 100, the original notebook computer, used primarily by outside sales staff, writers and editors.

In 1987, the company's focus turned to brainstorming, thinking and organizing tools. The first version of Inspiration was released for the Apple® Macintosh® in 1988. Subsequent releases included a Windows version, major upgrades and a native Japanese version on both platforms. By the early 1990s, Inspiration made its way into the classroom as teachers started using it to help their students plan, organize and write. 1996 brought an exciting change – a new focus on developing visual learning software to meet the needs of educators and students. Inspiration 5.0 Education Edition was released in 1997. In early 2010, the company unveiled Inspiration 9, the ultimate thinking and learning tool to help students grade 6 to adult to comprehend, create, communicate and achieve more.

To extend the power of visual learning to younger students, Kidspiration was launched in January 2001. Early 2008 marked the debut of the most recent version of Kidspiration, which uses the proven principles of visual learning to help K-5 learners strengthen reading and writing skills, build conceptual understanding in math, and develop thinking skills across the curriculum.

In July 2006, Inspiration Software's flagship products were joined by InspireData, the visual way to explore and understand data. Students in grades 4-12 use InspireData to build data literacy skills in science, mathematics and social studies. In September 2007, InspireData 1.5 was released with new and enhanced features to increase data literacy, including more than 100 content-rich databases, the e-Survey tool and database templates to jumpstart data collection. Today, more than 230 of the nation's largest school districts have Kidspiration and Inspiration licenses for every instructional computer, making it easy for all students and teachers to use the software as a core instructional tool.

Momentum for the use of visual learning software in the classroom continues to grow not only in the United States, but also worldwide. Inspiration Software developed International English editions of Inspiration and Kidspiration for Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and other English-speaking countries around the globe. A French version was released in Canada and France, and in response to requests from countries such as Mexico and Puerto Rico, a Spanish-language version was launched as well. Inspiration was also localized in Portuguese to serve the growing Brazilian education market.

As the company writes the next exciting chapter in its history, Inspiration Software continues to develop innovative visual learning tools that help students build the thinking skills necessary to achieve at the highest levels and become successful, contributing members of 21st century society.