Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty vs. Element451: A comparative analysis

AI-powered solutions have emerged as essential in achieving personalized and effective engagement at scale, which is critical for higher education institutions to improve enrollment and retention. Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty and Element451 are both platform providers serving the higher education sector and this blog aims to help institutions in the evaluation process by examining and comparing the two. Looking to understand which aligns best with your unique needs? You’re in the right place.
We’ll start with a quick grounding in each company and their solution.
Get a demo to see how Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty can help you improve student retention, increase enrollment, and break down departmental silos.

Element451
Element451 is a self-described “AI-first CRM built for higher ed”. Within its multi-channel, all-in-one platform, the company provides low-cost texting, chatbot and virtual assistant technology helping institutions recruit, engage and support students by delivering 24/7 “digital-first” support.
Combining generative AI with school-specific content, Element451’s platform can deliver quick, personalized information and its Bolt Agents help to act as AI-driven digital teammates that boost applications, flag at-risk students and deliver proactive support at scale.
Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty
Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty is an AI-powered engagement platform designed specifically for higher education institutions. It provides 24/7 personalized support delivering tailored, multilingual responses to student inquiries on multiple channels by leveraging interactions from a network of over 1,100 colleges and universities.
Flexible to integrate with existing CRMs, as well as other campus systems, the platform functions as a central connection point for engagement across campus and throughout the student lifecycle, helping institutions boost enrollment, improve retention, and enhance institutional success.
Kristin M.
Director of Financial Aid
Now, let’s break it down – how do these two platforms compare across key elements?
Side-by-side comparison: Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty vs. Element451
Feature 8647_750443-55> |
Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty 8647_dd2f06-c7> |
Element451 8647_f7a821-2a> |
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Platform 8647_47cebb-7d> |
Engagement platform that pulls relevant data from across campus systems to connect with student channels including chat, SMS, WhatsApp, email and IVR. 8647_6e93a5-fb> |
Full CRM solution offering digital-first support capabilities with low-cost/no-cost virtual assistant, text and live chat. 8647_276135-9e> |
Artificial intelligence 8647_f1d478-e5> |
Responsible AI model that continuously evolves with institution-specific information for precise responses, drawing from over 15.6 million interactions across 1,100+ higher education institutions. 8647_20c7e2-12> |
Data analysis-driven model AI model employs AI agents using content from an institution’s knowledgebase to deliver personalized outreach and support throughout the student lifecycle. 8647_977451-c4> |
Content library 8647_6190dc-81> |
Specialized higher education content packs encompassing Academic Advising, Admissions, Student Success, Financial Aid, and Counseling services. 8647_cf92cc-16> |
Extensive content libraries with focus on Marketing and Admissions. 8647_5139db-17> |
Integrations 8647_980e46-26> |
Compatible with SIS, LMS, and financial aid systems and flexible CRM integrations. 8647_46ffe4-20> |
System agnostic CRM – integrates with other campus systems. 8647_f14b50-b2> |
Analytics 8647_02fa01-35> |
Identifies trends from across campus systems and predicts student needs, allowing institutions to support at-risk individuals proactively and engage alumni likely to be donors. 8647_f556d1-27> |
Provides comprehensive analytics, offering instant insights and predictions to inform decision-making. 8647_12f945-1f> |
Florida Atlantic University streamlined financial aid processes with Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty
Before implementing an AI virtual assistant, 80% of student inquiries at Florida Atlantic University were repetitive questions, many about financial aid, that took up valuable staff time. The team also wanted to prioritize keeping a personal touch with students seeking support, all times of the day.
With seamless implementation, their AI virtual assistant was instantly providing a superior, frictionless and personalized student experience. The results speak for themselves:
- 96% drop in student appointments for simple inquiries
- 11% reduction in inbound calls and emails
- 80% of all student questions handled automatically by AI

Benefits of Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty vs. Element451
Artificial intelligence
When it comes to AI, Ivy & Ocelot is the ideal choice for higher ed institutions. Trained by higher ed experts, it delivers precise, comprehensive and contextually aware answers to student inquiries. Ivy & Ocelot’s big data approach, drawing from over 15.6 million interactions across 1,100+ higher education institutions, distinguishes it from Element451’s data analysis-driven model. The Ivy & Ocelot AI model ensures a higher level of accuracy and a more thorough understanding of student-specific issues.

Robust content libraries beyond Admissions & Marketing
The Ivy & Ocelot core content packs are meticulously organized to address various institutional offices and services, encompassing academic advising, admissions, financial aid, and counseling services. Additionally, our Web Crawler leverages ChatGPT technology to facilitate efficient and rapid content creation. This tool enables schools to scrape content from their websites, broadening the spectrum of topics our AI-powered communication channels can address.
Complaint & accurate responses
Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty prioritizes continuous improvement in AI conversation design, employing multiple analytical models to enhance intent recognition. We collaborate closely with clients, capturing the diverse ways users communicate to consistently improve understanding.
Our dedicated team ensures content compliance and expands the knowledge base for AI-powered communication channels, enabling discussions on various topics without client training. Ivy & Ocelot consistently delivers reliable, up-to-date information, emphasizing accuracy and compliance for trustworthy responses that foster student engagement and confidence.
Ivy & Ocelot vs. Element451: Which AI-powered student engagement software is right for you?
Ivy & Ocelot from Gravyty and Element451 are both powerful tools for enhancing student engagement and retention in higher education and institutions need to consider their unique needs when determining which is the best fit. If you’re looking for an all-in-one CRM solution that will provide fast access to AI-powered engagement technology at a low cost, Element451 might be worth exploring more.
If accuracy, compliance and the flexibility to integrate with any CRM system is top-of-mind, you should consider Ivy & Ocelot.
Have more questions? We’d love to talk.