Acely, the edtech company combining expert-crafted test prep with AI-powered personalization, today announced the appointment of Kimberly Kalb Baumgarten as Chief Marketing Officer. A former Ad Age 40 Under 40 honoree and marketing leader behind breakout youth platforms including Houseparty, Tumblr, and Epic Games’ Fortnite, Baumgarten will lead Acely’s brand, growth, and communications strategy.
Baumgarten joins Acely as the company scales rapidly, achieving 300 percent year-over-year revenue growth in 2025 and surpassing $10 million in annual revenue just two years after launch. The platform has served more than 50,000 families, with 90 percent of students improving their SAT scores by at least 100 points.
This news comes at a pivotal moment for both Acely and the broader education landscape. As schools and institutions grapple with how to approach AI, Baumgarten will focus on positioning Acely as a trusted, outcomes-driven solution to traditional high-barrier, high-cost SAT and ACT prep.
“Kimberly has an exceptional track record of building culturally resonant brands that reach and engage the next generation,” said Ron Schneidermann, CEO of Acely. “As we enter our next phase of growth, her experience at the intersection of community, technology, and youth culture will be critical in establishing Acely as the most trusted name in AI-powered education.”
Baumgarten’s career has centered on building platforms for young audiences. At Houseparty, she helped grow the app to 100 million users during the pandemic. Following its acquisition by Epic Games, she led marketing initiatives for Fortnite, including the brand’s first TikTok partnership and viral community-driven campaigns that translated directly into in-game experiences, driving over 5.2 billion player hours in UGC games. She most recently worked on community strategy at Counter (formerly Beautycounter), following earlier roles at HBO and Tumblr, where she pioneered grassroots and culturally driven marketing approaches.
At Acely, Baumgarten will focus on two core priorities: building the most trusted brand in education and fostering a sense of community among students and families navigating an increasingly competitive and high-pressure academic environment.
“Families are being told to fear AI at the exact moment they need better, more accessible tools,” said Baumgarten. “My goal is to reframe that narrative. We’re building a platform that adapts to how students learn in real time, giving more students a real shot at improving their scores, earning scholarships, and changing their trajectory.”
When private tutoring can cost thousands of dollars, and as test prep continues to be a decisive factor in college admissions, Acely is positioning itself as a modern alternative to outdated, pricey study methods. With Baumgarten at the helm of marketing, Acely plans to accelerate its investment in brand building, thought leadership, and growth, as it continues its mission to democratize access to elite educational outcomes.
To learn more, please visit Acely.com.
ABOUT ACELY
Launched in 2024, Acely is a digital test prep platform that helps students reach their target scores on the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and select AP exams. Built by educators and technologists, the platform offers over 14,000 expert-crafted questions and 50 full-length practice tests that mirror today’s digital and adaptive exams. Students get a realistic, personalized study plan tailored to their goals and schedule, while an AI tutor provides educator-verified hints and explanations, so they can study anytime and never get stuck. Automated performance tracking and accurate score predictions help students use their time well and feel ready on test day. With proven results for over 50,000 students and plans starting at $49/month, Acely delivers world-class test prep at a fraction of traditional tutoring costs.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260512048534/en/
Media gallery
