Here at Edtech Insiders, we’re still digesting just how amazing this year’s EDTECH WEEK was! After an incredible few days of panels, mixers, new connections, and edtech community comradery, you would never have guessed the severity of funding challenges that have plagued the industry in recent years.
With AI disrupting education like never before, edtech seems to be reaching a new tipping point where the future of learning is coming into view. EDTECH WEEK was the get together we all needed to re-energize, find new inspiration, and dive deeper into our work with refreshed commitment and excitement.
With this in mind, here’s our look back at some top Edtech Insiders moments from EDTECH WEEK 2024!
Lessons from EdTech Founders: Surviving Tumultuous Times
Starting off strong, our very own Ben Kornell was part of a panel at EDTECH WEEK this year! This session featured innovators who have experienced startup to exit for some of the most recognized EdTech brands in the industry - BYJU's, 2U, Paper, and AltSchool. Panelists included:
Together we discussed the unique challenges and opportunities that come with scaling an EdTech venture. Everyone shared their stories on how they have navigated turbulent times and covered strategies for evolving your business model, maintaining growth momentum, and fostering innovation in the face of adversity.
We had such an amazing conversation together, thanks to everyone that was able to join for this pertinent conversation!
Future of AI In Education Lunch
Edtech Insiders hosted a Future of AI In Education Lunch this year, made possible by the sponsorship of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative!
Together we had the chance to discuss and connect on what’s next for AI in Education in a small group setting with some absolutely AMAZING edtech leaders. Thanks so much for those of you who joined us and made this event the incredible experience that it was!
Magic Edtech x Edtech Insiders Rooftop Party
Last but not least, we teamed up with Magic Edtech again this year to host another unforgettable rooftop party! It was amazing to see you all with the backdrop of the NYC skyline to talk all things edtech! What a night to remember.
Whether we ran into you or not during our short time at EDTECH WEEK in NYC, we hope that you had just as much fun as we did running around The Big Apple! See you next year, and let us know what your favorite moments from EDTECH WEEK were in the comments!
Thanks for reading Edtech Insiders! To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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! If you missed our live event, you can watch the replay now! Tune in for an engaging discussion on how to make your legal team a true business partner, not just a checkpoint.
The Never Ending Road to Product-Market Fit in Edtech
If you missed it live, you can watch the recording of our deep dive on product-market fit in edtech! Hosted by our very own Alex Sarlin featuring product expert Matt Walton!
Matt is a product coach and advisor who works with edtech startups and scale ups. He also runs fellowship programmes on Finding Product-Market Fit in EdTech and Building Mission-Led Teams. He was one of the founding team and Chief Product Officer at FutureLearn, one of Europe’s biggest EdTech platforms partnering with hundreds of universities, growing it to 14m learners and securing over £50m in investment.
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. Physics Wallah Selects 4 Investment Bankers For $500 Million IPO
Edtech unicorn Physics Wallah has selected four investment banks to lead its upcoming $500 million initial public offering (IPO). The Indian education startup, known for its affordable online learning platform, is gearing up to go public in a highly anticipated move. This IPO marks a significant milestone for Physics Wallah as it looks to expand its offerings and strengthen its position in the edtech market.
2. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Commits Funding To Help Educators Shape How AI Will Be Used in Classrooms
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has announced new funding to empower educators in shaping the role of AI in classrooms. This investment focuses on ensuring that AI tools are designed to enhance teaching and learning while addressing concerns like equity and student privacy. By involving educators in the development process, CZI aims to foster AI innovations that are both effective and aligned with the needs of students and teachers.
3. AI E-Learning Platform Build Club Raises $1.75 million Pre-Seed
AI-driven education startup Build Club has raised $1.75 million in a pre-seed funding round to expand its innovative learning platform. The platform aims to revolutionize how students learn through tailored, AI-based educational experiences that improve engagement and outcomes.
3. New Report by Common Sense Media on American Teens
"Unpacking Grind Culture in American Teens: Pressure, Burnout, and the Role of Social Media" is a comprehensive report by Common Sense Media that explores the pervasive culture of overachievement among U.S. adolescents. The study reveals that a significant number of teens experience intense pressure to succeed, often leading to burnout, with social media playing a substantial role in amplifying these stresses. It also highlights how teens use social media to seek support and cope with these challenges.
California has enacted 18 new laws aimed at regulating artificial intelligence, covering a range of issues from privacy to bias. These laws set strict standards for the use of AI in various sectors, including hiring practices, data protection, and automated decision-making. With this legal framework, the state aims to protect consumers and workers from the potential risks and abuses of AI technologies.
If you love Edtech Insiders and want to continue to support our work, consider becoming a paid subscriber! By joining Edtech Insiders+ you receive:
Early access to all Edtech Insiders events. No more sprinting to sign up for our monthly happy hours, edtech summits, and online conferences.
Access to our exclusive WhatsApp channel to connect with the Edtech Insiders community and discuss the latest trends and news in our space.
All proceeds from subscriptions will help us invest in our podcast, newsletter, events, and community. Our goal is to make Edtech Insiders an enduring and sustainable community offering that connects the edtech ecosystem!
We would be so excited if you decide to join us as a member of Edtech Insiders+.
Katie Kurtz shares her career trajectory, from her start in education at Princeton Review to leading YouTube’s global youth and learning initiatives. Her career has always centered around the intersection of technology, user engagement, and improving educational outcomes. Her time at companies like Knewton, Cengage, and Noodle Partners has shaped her current focus at YouTube.
"My journey has always been around that intersection of technology, user engagement, and improving outcomes. The scale and reach of this platform is mind-boggling, and I’ve never been more inspired by any of my work in education than what I’ve seen here at YouTube." -Katie Kurtz
YouTube as a Learning Platform
Katie discusses how YouTube has evolved into a powerful learning tool. Billions of users use YouTube for self-directed learning, with 93% of users saying they use it to gather information and knowledge. She emphasizes how YouTube is creating features to support more intentional and goal-oriented learning, such as quizzes, real-time concepts, and courses.
"We think about YouTube learning as this sort of just-in-time tool, but there are a lot of people who come to YouTube in a much more goal-oriented way... our mission is how can we empower these billions of learners to go further by breaking down barriers to high-impact learning experiences?" - Katie Kurtz
Study Hall and Equity in Higher Education
Katie highlights the Study Hall initiative, a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU) and Crash Course. It allows learners to access first-year college courses on YouTube, offering pathways to earn transferable college credits at significantly lower costs. This project is designed to help students overcome the barriers of higher education.
"It's exciting because it's breaking down the barriers to entry in higher education. Thousands of students have now completed their first-year college courses, and they never had to apply for financial aid through FAFSA or face those traditional roadblocks." - Katie Kurtz
Supporting Educators with YouTube’s Player for Education
Katie explains how YouTube has developed the Player for Education, a built-for-purpose tool that enables teachers to embed YouTube content in classrooms without distractions such as ads or unrelated video suggestions. It is designed to support K-12 educators by making curated educational content easily accessible.
"We wanted to support teachers in a meaningful way. The Player for Education is designed to be delivered through learning management systems, with no ads or distractions, but keeping important features like transcripts and playback speed for accessibility." - Katie Kurtz
The Future of AI in Education on YouTube
Katie shares YouTube’s experiments with AI-driven tools, including real-time concepts and conversational AI tutors. She emphasizes that YouTube has long used AI to deliver personalized content, but the future will see more thoughtful integration of AI to enhance learning experiences.
"We are introducing AI in small, thoughtful ways to see what actually moves the needle in terms of outcomes. We will continue to use AI to break down barriers and create bridges to higher-impact learning experiences." - Katie Kurtz
Curious to Learn More?
You can listen to our full interview with Katie Kurtz, 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!
