Gradsbook Wins University Pitch Competition, Heads Towards National Stage

Gradsbook, an education networking platform founded by Jordanian-born sisters Noor Kawalit and Jana Kawalit, has won recognition at George Washington University’s Fall Pitch George 2026 competition. According to the founding team, the venture was also selected to advance directly to a national competition, opening a new opportunity to present its platform to a wider entrepreneurial audience.

Noor, a business student at George Washington University, represented Gradsbook alongside her team. The achievement marks a new milestone for a venture built around a simple idea: students should be able to begin finding their community before arriving on campus.

The sisters’ story began in Jordan, where their educational backgrounds include Amman Baccalaureate School. Their inspiration came from watching their brother, Afif, navigate the uncertainty and loneliness of starting university abroad.

He had completed the demanding process of researching universities, applying and securing admission. Yet another challenge remained: building a life in an unfamiliar environment without an established circle of friends or reliable sources of practical advice.

For Noor and Jana, that experience revealed a gap between preparing academically for university and preparing socially and practically for life there.

The transition can involve more than adjusting to coursework. Students may also need to establish new support networks, navigate unfamiliar social environments and find a sense of belonging—challenges that can be especially pronounced when studying abroad.

They founded Gradsbook to help close it.

The original concept focused on helping students meet future classmates, find potential roommates and exchange information before reaching campus. It has since expanded into a broader education networking platform designed to support connections throughout the student journey.

Students can discover peers interested in the same universities, connect through shared academic interests and learn from those who have already made the transition. For international students, these connections can provide a starting point for understanding a new country, culture and education system.

Connecting with peers can also make practical knowledge easier to access, from understanding campus routines to learning how others approached housing, enrollment and the first weeks of university life.

The platform also welcomes parents, educators, counselors, professionals and institutions, bringing guidance and resources into the same community.

According to the company, Gradsbook has surpassed 200,000 registered users. That reported user base represents a milestone in its development, while strengthening engagement and understanding which services students value remain priorities for its next stage.

Alongside networking, Gradsbook includes a marketplace where members can buy, sell or exchange items and offer services to one another. The goal is to make student life more connected.

Students preparing to move into university accommodation can look for affordable essentials, while those leaving campus can pass useful items on to others. Members can also share their skills and offer services, creating opportunities to earn income within the community.

These features extend Gradsbook’s role beyond the months before university. Its broader ambition is to remain useful as students’ needs change—from exploring institutions and preparing to enroll to navigating campus life and moving on after graduation.

Gradsbook previously attracted investment from AdamTech Ventures, an early milestone in the sisters’ efforts to develop and expand the business. The latest competition recognition builds on that foundation, bringing renewed attention to the platform and its plans for growth.

For Noor and Jana, the next phase involves strengthening student engagement, refining services around demonstrated needs and developing relationships with potential partners and investors.

Their founding idea remains central to that work. Students spend months preparing for where they will study. Gradsbook aims to help them prepare for the people, decisions and everyday experiences that will shape their lives once they arrive.

Learn more at gradsbook.com.