Philadelphia-based start-up Yellowdig is betting it can help students connect with their peers -- and faculty members understand what captures students' attention.

"Yellowdig has about 30 contracted universities -- many of them private research universities -- and plans to add another 25 or so this fall, Roy said. Since the start-up only began making the platform available last year, most of the universities are still piloting it, for which they pay about $15,000 for a six- or nine-month license. The start-up has recently started moving some institutions, including Arizona State University, to long-term contracts, charging them about $10 a student."

Philadelphia-based start-up Yellowdig is betting it can help students connect with their peers -- and faculty members understand what captures students' attention.

"Yellowdig has about 30 contracted universities -- many of them private research universities -- and plans to add another 25 or so this fall, Roy said. Since the start-up only began making the platform available last year, most of the universities are still piloting it, for which they pay about $15,000 for a six- or nine-month license. The start-up has recently started moving some institutions, including Arizona State University, to long-term contracts, charging them about $10 a student."