Public Sector
State and local governments provide critical services to our communities, such as roads, power, water, parks, emergency services and education. This sector represents one of the largest software markets in the country. We are passionate about bringing modern tech to solve our society’s most difficult public sector challenges in government and education.
Government
Governments too often employ legacy technologies that are expensive to run, challenging to administer and frustrating for citizens to use. We believe that modern solutions unlock extraordinary benefits for our nation’s public servants and citizens. Flexible, efficient, cloud-based software enables easier access to essential services and provides greater government transparency and accountability, while avoiding inefficient, manual processes like paper filing. Our investment in this technology is already accelerating the adoption of better government software and improving the lives of citizens.
OpenGov
One of the most difficult challenges governments face today is how to maintain their aging critical infrastructure – such as roads, utilities, parks, fleets and thousands of other assets – as the nation faces a multi-trillion-dollar investment gap. Cox Enterprises made initial investments in OpenGov in 2021 and 2022. In 2024, Cox Enterprises acquired majority ownership of OpenGov, making this our largest new-industry commitment to date, valued at $1.8 billion. Now, with a majority ownership of the company, we are building on our goals to grow new, diverse businesses and help close the technology gap facing state and local governments. One in three people in the U.S. now benefit from OpenGov software. Soon, it will be even more.
Education
Education is another key public sector market with local school districts teaching 50M students each year. However, COVID left teachers and administrators overwhelmed, and student test scores demonstrate historic academic lows. We believe that more streamlined, classroom experiences enable teachers to do what they do best and can have a dramatic positive impact on student outcomes. We invest in high-quality, data-driven education solutions with a track record of driving student success and creating better insights for teachers and administrators.
Amplify
In May 2023, Cox announced an investment in education technology pioneer, Amplify. The funding is expected to accelerate Amplify’s growth in delivering high-quality, digital-forward instructional programs to K-12 schools. The company delivers its products and services to over half a million teachers, serves close to a third of U.S. K-8 students and is a market leader in literacy and science. Amplify creates core and supplemental curriculum, assessment and intervention programs for today’s students. Its K-12 product portfolio combines evidence-based instruction with digital-forward delivery to help teachers celebrate and extend their students’ thinking, knowledge, and skills.
Enhancing early childhood education has been a long-time focus of the James M. Cox Foundation, and it is also a pillar of our 34by34 social goal to help 34 million people live more prosperous lives. It also ties directly to our Purpose of building a better future for the next generation. This investment in edtech will demonstrate our commitment to investing in high-quality, data-driven education solutions.
Partner Spotlight
Zachary Bookman
CEO, OPENGOV
Larry Berger
CEO & FOUNDER, AMPLIFY
Catherine Mackay
PRESIDENT & COO, AMPLIFY
Zachary Bookman
CEO, OPENGOV
“We started this company to power more effective and accountable government. We’ve grown thanks to outsized investments in engineering and customer success and because of an extraordinary team aligned on values, hard work, expertise and passion. With this investment, one of the largest in GovTech history, we intend to accelerate product development, advance our mission and improve communities for generations to come.”
Larry Berger
CEO & FOUNDER, AMPLIFY
“The investment from Cox will support Amplify in continuing to expand the breadth and depth of its K-12 product portfolio, which distinctly combines high-quality, evidence-based instruction with digital-forward delivery to help teachers celebrate and extend their students’ thinking, knowledge, and skills.”
Catherine Mackay
PRESIDENT & COO, AMPLIFY
“We look forward to Amplify’s future growth while ensuring that we elevate K-12 instruction and have as much impact as we can.”