Fall is in the air and New York City is calling! It’s time for the annual trek to StartEd’s EDTECH WEEK on October 8-10 in the Big Apple! This year, we are excited to celebrate the 10th birthday of this edtech gathering with a curated Edtech Insiders guide to EDTECH WEEK 2024!
EDTECH WEEK brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, from educators and investors to entrepreneurs and policymakers, with a shared goal of addressing the most pressing challenges in education and the workforce today. This year's anniversary edition promises to be their best yet, featuring 200+ speakers, exclusive networking opportunities, and open discussion sessions on the most talked-about topics impacting edtech.
If you haven’t grabbed your ticket yet, be sure to snag one as they can sell out! You can use promo code INSIDERS2024 to get 20% off, and selfishly we’d love to see you there!
While there are a million sessions, panels, mixers, and events to attend during EDTECH WEEK, here’s the top events that we at Edtech Insiders will be attending, and recommend you join in on too.
You can find the full agenda for EDTECH WEEK, and search for the sessions you want to add to your calendar here on EDTECH WEEK’s website.
Tuesday, October 8
Fireside Chat with Edtech Insiders Guest and Former Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr. (SUNY) and Siya Raj Purohit (OpenAI)
October 8, 10:00 AM -10:45 AM Civic Hall, 2nd Floor Auditorium
Lessons from EdTech Founders: Surviving Tumultuous Times
BYJU’s, Paper, 2U… these three companies have all had epic (pun intended) highs and lows. Edtech Insiders’ very own Ben Kornell will be facilitating this panel with some of the leaders at the epicenter of these storms: Stephen Jull of BYJU’s/Epic, Philip Cutler of Paper, and Jamie Farrell of Trilogy Education (which was acquired by 2U before it’s subsequent purchase of Edx and bankruptcy). What are the lessons learned and stories to tell? You’ll have to show up to find out!
October 8, 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Civic Hall, 3rd Floor Conference D
Measuring What Matters: How to Evaluate EdTech Product Impact
October 8, 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Civic Hall, 3rd Floor Conference E
Promising Practices: Remote & Hybrid Approaches in Early Childhood Education
October 8, 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM Civic Hall, 3rd Floor Conference B
Navigating M&A: Strategically Positioning Your Company for Acquisition Success
October 8, 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM Civic Hall, 3rd Floor Conference E
Wednesday, October 9
Commercializing EdTech R&D: Moving Evidence from the Lab to the Market
Turning solid evidence into a successful edtech company has been one of the hardest nuts to crack. It takes a village, and this panel represents many of the inhabitants of said village: accelerators, investors, researchers, entrepreneurs and government funders!
October 9, 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM Civic Hall, 3rd Floor Conference E
Building Trustworthy Research and Writing Skills with AI
Get hands on with our favorite new AI tool NotebookLM alongside friend-of-the-pod Vriti Saraf!
Find Your Goldilocks Zone of Product Dev: High Convictions, Loosely Held
Newsletter author David Fu and AI entrepreneur Matt Miller of Oko Labs
October 9, 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Civic Hall, 3rd Floor Conference E
Social Events: Can’t-Miss Experiences
Beyond the conference rooms, EDTECH WEEK’s social calendar is brimming with exclusive events, giving attendees the perfect setting to connect with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators. While not everyone will have access to these invite-only events, the magic of EDTECH WEEK lies in the conversations and connections made throughout each day. Keep an eye out for opportunities to get yourself on those guest lists!
Here are the invite-only events generating the most buzz:
Magic’s Annual Rooftop Party
Picture this – Manhattan skyline, cocktails in hand, and a rooftop full of edtech leaders. This is where deals are made, and where some of the most memorable conversations will take place. Edtech Insiders+ Members as of October 1 have access to this invite only event.
October 8
Sunset Boat Cruise
Hop aboard a boat for a sunset cruise around NYC. This event is for District-Level Education Leaders, designed to foster deeper relationships between education leaders and innovators.
Join EDTECH WEEK with a host of additional sponsors including MeshEd, betaworks, XQ, Dream Machine Innovation Lab, Ed3 DAO, and New York Academy of Sciences for an open mixer!
EDTECH WEEK can feel overwhelming, especially with so much happening at once. Whether it’s your first time attending or you're a seasoned veteran, these pro tips will help you maximize your time on the ground:
Civic Hall is Your Homebase: In years past, EDTECH WEEK featured events spread across the city, but this time you have a one-stop shop at Civic Hall. If you can secure a seating spot on the 2nd or 3rd floor, you are golden. No shame if you need to camp out at the G.O.A.T. Cafe or the Baya Bar Smoothie Shop across the street (both open at 8am).
Schedule 1:1s in advance: If you haven’t yet scheduled your high-priority 1:1s yet, stop reading here and get on it! Pros will have a calendly set up specifically for the event.
Secure Your Spot at Social Events: The invite-only events are often where the best networking happens. Don’t be afraid to reach out to connections in advance to see if you can get on the list - most will not take walk-ins. It’s NYC!
Take Breaks: While it’s tempting to jump from one session to another, make sure to take a short stroll outside. The nearby UrbanSpace Union Square has a food hall with micro-restaurants and there’s nothing quite like October in NYC!
Comfort is Key: While the atmosphere will be electric, it’s important to stay grounded. Hydrate regularly, wear comfortable shoes, and keep your schedule flexible to accommodate spontaneous meetings or events.
This year’s EDTECH WEEK promises to be one for the books. Whether you're attending to discover new opportunities, explore the latest trends, or simply be inspired, you’ll walk away with valuable insights and lasting connections. Pack your comfortable walking shoes, and see you there!
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This edition of the Edtech Insiders Newsletter is sponsored byTuck Advisors.
Since 2017, Tuck Advisors has been a trusted name in Education M&A. Founded by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, we believe you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do. Are you a founder thinking of selling your company? Have you received any UFO’s (unsolicited flattering offers) and need help determining if they’re real or hoaxes? We can help! Reach out to us at confidential@tuckadvisors.com.
Navigating legal challenges in the edtech world can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! Join us for an engaging discussion on how to make your legal team a true business partner, not just a checkpoint. Featuring Evan Hill-Ries, former Deputy General Counsel at Amplify, this webinar will cover how Legal can help your company grow, tackle unique industry challenges, and more.
This edition of the Edtech Insiders Newsletter is sponsored by Cooley.
Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation, where innovation meets the law. Cooley offers edtech specific legal services to support you and your edtech business from day one.
1. Google CEO Sundar Pichai Announces $120M Fund for Global AI Education
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has unveiled a new $120 million fund aimed at promoting AI education globally, with a focus on equipping underrepresented communities with cutting-edge skills. The initiative seeks to address the growing talent gap in AI by providing scholarships, workshops, and digital resources in collaboration with educational institutions. This investment is part of Google's broader efforts to democratize access to AI technologies and foster a more inclusive tech landscape.
OpenAI has unveiled o1, a groundbreaking enterprise-grade AI platform designed to streamline AI adoption for businesses. With advanced features for data integration, security, and scalability, o1 empowers organizations to harness the full potential of AI in their operations. This preview marks a pivotal step toward bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and practical, real-world applications.
Despite a challenging environment for edtech funding, India's Physics Wallah has raised $210 million in its latest funding round, boosting its valuation to $2.8 billion. The company, which started as a YouTube channel, has grown into a major player in India's education technology sector by offering affordable online courses for competitive exams.
Clever’s 2024 Classroom of the Future Report explores the evolving role of technology in education, offering insights into how digital tools are transforming learning environments. The report highlights trends such as personalized learning, AI-driven platforms, and increased collaboration between educators and technology.
Reach Capital has released its 2024 Impact Report! The report highlights key achievements, including support for startups that enhance learning equity and accessibility. By focusing on long-term impact, Reach Capital continues to champion innovation in education while driving meaningful social change.
If you love Edtech Insiders and want to continue to support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber! By joining Edtech Insiders+ you receive:
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We would be so excited if you decide to join us as a member of Edtech Insiders+.
Interview: Dr. Paul LeBlanc
We have had some amazing guests on The Edtech Insiders Podcast in the last few weeks. One of our stand-out interviews from this past week is with Dr. Paul J. LeBlanc: the Board Chair for Human Systems, a new AI and Education company he co-founded with researcher George Siemens.
Here’s a deep dive on our interview with Dr. Paul LeBlanc, and we encourage you to give the full episode a listen for more!
Dr. LeBlanc reflects on his 20-year tenure at SNHU, growing the university from 2,500 students to over 250,000. He explains how SNHU distinguished itself through online education and competency-based learning. Under his leadership, the institution pioneered the "mega-university" model, with a strong focus on adult learners and scaling operations during economic shifts and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I looked at our cards and I thought, I'm never going to make Southern New Hampshire University a research university. It's not going to be an R1... But we did a small online program. I thought, this is a card I can play... We could play in that space. So that's what we set out to build." - Dr. Paul LeBlanc
Student-Centered Education and the "Jobs to Be Done" Framework
Dr. LeBlanc explains how SNHU applied the "Jobs to Be Done" framework to understand what students truly need from higher education. For many adult learners, this means prioritizing convenience, completion time, and affordability over traditional campus experiences. SNHU tailored its programs and processes to meet these needs, making education more accessible and relevant.
"We get really focused on how to take all the grit out of the gears for a person who has no time... We don't do any new program without asking that job, that question first: What is the job to be done?" - Dr. Paul LeBlanc
The Role of Success Coaches at SNHU
One of SNHU’s major innovations was its success coaching model. Unlike traditional universities that center faculty relationships, SNHU focused on long-term advising relationships. These advisors became a student's guide throughout their academic journey, helping them navigate personal and academic challenges, which was key to student retention and success.
“The heart of our model is our advising model... The emotional reunions I see at commencement when a student meets their advisor... They know you deeply and are with you through your journey. That’s the innovation that’s underappreciated by outsiders." - Dr. Paul LeBlanc
The Future of Higher Education and AI
As co-founder of Human Systems, Dr. LeBlanc is pioneering a new vision for education in an AI-driven world. He believes AI will disrupt white-collar jobs much like automation impacted blue-collar work. His focus is on using AI to enhance human connection, shifting education toward the development of wisdom, judgment, and emotional intelligence rather than rote knowledge.
"AI will do to white-collar jobs what automation did to blue-collar jobs... But the thing you want from your doctor or teacher is wisdom and judgment. That’s where AI can free up human capacity to do the things that matter most—connecting and caring." - Dr. Paul LeBlanc
The Reinvention of Higher Education Systems
Dr. LeBlanc and his team at Human Systems aim to rethink higher education from a clean slate, removing the constraints of traditional accreditation and systems. Their mission is to design an AI-driven, human-centered learning system that prioritizes wellness, community, and personalized learning, recognizing the inadequacies of the current structure.
"We’re not trying to use AI to play by the old rules of higher education. We’re rewriting the rules... How can we use AI to help students connect more with the world, not less?" - Dr. Paul LeBlanc
Curious to Learn More?
You can listen to our full interview with Dr. Paul LeBlanc, as well as interviews with many other edtech founders, investors, and thought leaders at The Edtech Insiders Podcast! Check it out, and as always, we’d love to hear what you think!
