#1 - Christopher Gray, CEO at Path
Slice of Education Team
09/13/2025
Guest
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Founder Journey: Christopher Gray, founder of Scholarly and now CEO of Path, shares how winning $1M in scholarships inspired his mission to democratize education.
- Path’s Business Model: At just $9/month, Path uses generative AI to offer unlimited test prep across a vast range of exams, challenging the $2,000 norm set by traditional providers.
- Why Path Stands Out: Predictive scoring, unlimited practice, and coverage for diverse exams—from SAT to CompTIA—make Path a uniquely accessible and comprehensive platform.
- AI in Education: Gray explores how AI’s scalability, personalization, and 24/7 availability could reshape education, potentially even replacing traditional schooling.
- Looking Ahead: Path plans to launch a full AI tutor, aiming to disrupt not only test prep but also the broader $100/hour tutoring market.
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From Scholarships to Startup Success
Christopher Gray's story begins in Birmingham, Alabama, as a first-generation college student who secured over $1 million in scholarships. His initial venture, Scholarly, launched on Shark Tank and gained rapid traction, ultimately being acquired by Sallie Mae. From this experience, Gray learned the value of aligning altruism with a strong business model—a lesson he brought into his new venture, Path.
Path: A New Era in Test Preparation
Path is redefining test prep with its AI-powered platform. Unlike traditional providers that charge thousands, Path offers unlimited access to a wide array of standardized and professional exams for just $9 a month. The key? Generative AI, which enables the creation of endless practice material, real-time predictive scoring, and an AI tutor for personalized learning.
The AI Advantage
Gray underscores how AI’s limitless availability, patience, and adaptability personalize learning like never before. AI empowers students to practice at their own pace, anytime, without the constraints of teacher availability or expensive tutoring sessions. It democratizes access to high-quality educational support—especially for underserved communities.
Breaking the Mold: The Future of AI in Education
Looking ahead, Gray envisions a transformation where AI-first schools and even colleges become the norm. These institutions could cut costs, improve outcomes, and challenge entrenched educational norms. However, he notes that societal resistance and regulatory inertia may be the biggest hurdles, especially from stakeholders deeply invested in traditional systems.
Path’s Vision Beyond Test Prep
Path’s ambitions don’t stop at exams. The next step is an AI tutor that offers students unlimited academic support across subjects. With extensive data on student performance and curriculum alignment, Gray aims to disrupt the broader tutoring industry, making elite educational tools affordable for all.
