--- title: "Lightbridge Academy Experiences Strong Momentum at the Start of 2020" url: https://burnaze.com/article/9a9e8b74-c7dd-4691-b393-3a2430c1e5e8 source: "1851 Franchise" original_url: https://1851franchise.com/lightbridge-academy-experiences-strong-momentum-at-the-start-of-2020-2712489 category: "Childcare & early learning" industry: "Education & Childcare" segment: "Childcare & early learning" published: 2020-03-11T13:08:03.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T02:12:59.155Z image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/1ca02bcfea2f85574cf6d5a72839be96907.jpg --- # Lightbridge Academy Experiences Strong Momentum at the Start of 2020 **TL;DR:** Lightbridge Academy experienced strong momentum in 2020, following a successful 2019 with industry recognition and accreditation. The brand ranked No. 182 on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list in 2020 and expanded into new markets, including Florida, Maryland, and North Carolina. *originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2020-03-11. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/lightbridge-academy-experiences-strong-momentum-at-the-start-of-2020-2712489).* ## Story Lightbridge Academy enjoyed many successes in 2019 that will help it continue to put its brand on the map in 2020. From industry recognition to accreditation and more, 2019 was definitely the year of Lightbridge Academy. Its concept has caught fire in every market it has entered, which has paved the way for serious brand growth. In terms of industry recognition, Lightbridge Academy made Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list in 2019 and again more recently in 2020. More than 1,100 franchise brands applied to make the list in 2019, and Lightbridge Academy nabbed the No. 182 spot. The brand also made the Franchise Times Top 200+ list both years. Lightbridge Academy saw marked success on the education front in 2019. For one, the brand’s corporate-owned center in Iselin, New Jersey was accredited by the National Accreditation Commission (NAC). The NAC is part of the Association for Early Learning Leaders, an organization committed to excellence in early childhood care and education. Lightbridge Academy will continue to work with the NAC to secure accreditation for all of its centers. The brand has also focused on its charitable efforts through the Lightbridge Foundation: In 2019, it granted 20 wishes to families in need by raising $20,000 and raised nearly $40,000. That money was coupled with reserved funds for a total of $68,000 earmarked for its philanthropic efforts including scholarships and grants. Lightbridge Academy also boosted its longtime sign language program, Signing Sprouts, by introducing a library of new video modules. The modules are intended to provide at-home support for parents empowering them to strengthen their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers' knowledge of American Sign Language (ASL). The enrichment program is included in Lightbridge Academy’s educational curriculum and is recognized for improving communication and lowering child frustration. In terms of franchise development, Lightbridge Academy signed franchise deals for inaugural centers in Florida, Maryland, and North Carolina. The brand will focus on continued expansion in all three states. Lightbridge Academy also achieved another major milestone in 2019 by signing a deal for its first New York City center. Veteran Lightbridge Academy franchisee Mihir Daiya, who owns and operates a center in the brand’s home state of New Jersey, and his business partner Vinay Bhimjiani will open a center in Manhattan’s Midtown West neighborhood in 2020. Additional franchisees have also signed on to open three centers in Brooklyn. With significant industry recognition, a pathway to systemwide accreditation, and an emerging presence in major markets, Lightbridge Academy is set to continue dominating the early education and child care space in 2020. - The company franchised in 2011 in an effort to expand their distinctive concept throughout the Northeast. - It currently has over 100 child care centers either open, under construction or in development throughout Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. - Guy and Julia Falzarano founded the company based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners, and the community. ## Entities - 1851 Franchise (publication) - franchise development (topic) - Entrepreneur (publication) - Education & Childcare (sector) - Florida (location) - new york (location) - north carolina (location) - expansion (topic) - Maryland (location) - Lightbridge Academy (company) - philanthropy (topic) - industry recognition (topic) --- Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/lightbridge-academy-experiences-strong-momentum-at-the-start-of-2020-2712489). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/9a9e8b74-c7dd-4691-b393-3a2430c1e5e8).