Jeremy Friedberg | Associé et cofondateur de Spongelab Interactive

Jeremy Friedberg

Partner & Co-founder

Spongelab Interactive

Created On: November 3, 2015
Sector:
Information Technology
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Art,  Business & Economics,  Computer Science

Learn About My Career

Jeremy Friedberg is a Partner and Co-Founder of Spongelab Interactive.

I was born/grew up in: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I now live in: Guelph, Ontario, Canada

I completed my training/education at: McGill University, Western University, University of Guelph

At Spongelab we develop educational games whose users range from students to professionals. We use games and gaming experiences to help people to learn by doing, to learn through the freedom to make mistakes, and through the application of their understanding. To build these games we utilize modern web technologies and commercial gaming technologies to create stunning learning experience that are used all over the world. My team consists of scientists, scientific artists, programmers and teachers. Together we create both our own products and offer custom production services for the global education and scientific community.

  1. Was a horrible student, hated school but loved music and skiing
  2. B student coming out of high school
  3. Barely got into university
  4. Almost failed out of university
  5. One prof, Dave Walden inspired me
  6. Assessment in last year of university changed from multiple choice – discussion response.
  7. Graduated with honours in genetics – top of my class
  8. Went to grad school
  9. Loved grad school
  10. Loved teaching but was poor at it. So I started building digital tools to help me teach better.
  11. Started a business to help scientists communicate with each other.
  12. Completed my PhD with distinction
  13. And kept on building…

I’m motivated by the team at Spongelab, my close friends, the support of my family, my passion for my children – but most of all creating something from nothing!

I love to create – and I get to do it all the time. What I love best is that our games are actually helping people learn – but learn in a way that works best for them - personalized. Our technologies help assess the learning process, and not the moment. We help students understand that they are not the sum of their report card and that their greatest strength lies in their ability to create – and they should feel rewarded for that.

  1. My children
  2. Skiing
  3. Renovating my home
  4. Reading

Have passion and perseverance.

What I do at work

At Spongelab we develop educational games whose users range from students to professionals. We use games and gaming experiences to help people to learn by doing, to learn through the freedom to make mistakes, and through the application of their understanding. To build these games we utilize modern web technologies and commercial gaming technologies to create stunning learning experience that are used all over the world. My team consists of scientists, scientific artists, programmers and teachers. Together we create both our own products and offer custom production services for the global education and scientific community.

My career path is

  1. Was a horrible student, hated school but loved music and skiing
  2. B student coming out of high school
  3. Barely got into university
  4. Almost failed out of university
  5. One prof, Dave Walden inspired me
  6. Assessment in last year of university changed from multiple choice – discussion response.
  7. Graduated with honours in genetics – top of my class
  8. Went to grad school
  9. Loved grad school
  10. Loved teaching but was poor at it. So I started building digital tools to help me teach better.
  11. Started a business to help scientists communicate with each other.
  12. Completed my PhD with distinction
  13. And kept on building…

I am motivated by

I’m motivated by the team at Spongelab, my close friends, the support of my family, my passion for my children – but most of all creating something from nothing!

How I affect peoples’ lives

I love to create – and I get to do it all the time. What I love best is that our games are actually helping people learn – but learn in a way that works best for them - personalized. Our technologies help assess the learning process, and not the moment. We help students understand that they are not the sum of their report card and that their greatest strength lies in their ability to create – and they should feel rewarded for that.

Outside of work I

  1. My children
  2. Skiing
  3. Renovating my home
  4. Reading

My advice to others

Have passion and perseverance.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • History
  • Home Economics
  • Industrial Arts
  • Science
  • Technology

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought people together
  • Liked helping people
  • Organized activities for my friends
  • Wanted to be in charge
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Wasn't sure what I wanted to do
  • Played video games
  • Never wanted to be in a classroom
  • Always threw the best parties
  • Didn't really care about grades
  • Liked to take things apart to see how they worked
  • Liked to design or build things

Related Topics

Business Careers Computer Software Computers Entrepreneurship Information Technology Teaching

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen