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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Matt Tower as they explore the evolving edtech landscape—from rising AI use to old-school solutions for modern challenges.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:20] Banning AI boosts student engagement and brings back handwritten assessments
[00:03:23] Gallup finds AI use in the workplace has doubled in two years
[00:06:15] OpenAI’s college push sparks backlash over trust and cheating concerns
[00:09:30] Professors turn to blue books and flipped classrooms to fight AI plagiarism
[00:13:20] Meta’s $15B investment in Scale AI reshapes the AI training data market
[00:21:40] Poor sleep linked to tech use and lower student performance, says new data
[00:29:01] Study finds most students rely on parents for post-high school plans—and parents don’t know the options➡️ Go to Part 2 to listen to the guest interviews this week
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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For this Week in EdTech Part 2, Alex Sarlin interviews two visionary founders tackling early education and classroom AI from the ground up—with a focus on teacher support, inclusive innovation, and practical AI implementation.
[00:02:12] Yesi Sevilla, CEO of CHALK on why early education must start with supporting teachers
[00:30:55] Ed Buckley and Marlee Strawn, Co-founders of Scholar Education on how AI-powered dog bots support students and teachers🎧 Missed Part 1? Go back to hear the latest edtech headlines from AI to college guidance gaps.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Eric Swanson currently holds the position of Senior Vice President of Practice and Instructional Products at Renaissance Learning. In this capacity, he works with educators, technologists, and researchers to build best-in-class practice products and experiences that improve academic outcomes for students and educators. Working with the Renaissance Next, myON, Accelerated Reader, Lalilo, and Freckle teams, as well as our Math and Literacy product portfolios and new product ventures, Eric ensures the practice and instruction product strategy, roadmaps, and Go- to-Market activities fit within Renaissance and with our customers’ needs.
Storey Sitwala is Senior Director of Product Management at Renaissance. Throughout her career, she has focused on the challenge of how to scale insight-driven best practices for educators. She has spearheaded and developed innovative solutions across education nonprofits, school systems, and within the education technology sector, leveraging her expertise in information science, data visualization, psychology, and user experience design.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Renaissance Next streamlines data for teachersThe strategy behind Renaissance’s edtech acquisitionsPersonalization for students, teachers, and leadersResponsible AI use in educationWhy teacher autonomy stays central in AI design✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:04] Eric on Renaissance’s acquisitions journey
[00:09:17] What Renaissance Next is and why it matters
[00:12:42] Designing dashboards for different users
[00:20:21] What beta testing revealed about real teacher needs
[00:23:30] Balancing AI support with teacher control
[00:32:06] Partnering with core curriculum providers
[00:38:05] Renaissance’s AI ethics and governance
[00:46:28] The future: personalization and faster prototyping😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to high-stakes funding rounds and institutional shifts in AI strategy.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:45] OpenAI’s $10B Annual Run Rate: ChatGPT drives unprecedented growth
[00:05:12] Anthropic CEO criticizes proposed 10-year ban on state AI regulation
[00:08:04] Google.org Accelerator: New cohort tackling generative AI for good
[00:10:17] News Sites Struggle as Google AI Summarizes Content
[00:13:33] Zuckerberg’s Meta Bets Big: $14B stake in Scale AI and ‘Superintelligence’ team
[00:17:02] Microsoft’s Plan to Rank AI Models by Safety
[00:19:20] Apple Research Paper Questions AI’s Reasoning Power
[00:21:46] Harvard Gets Backing in DEI Lawsuit from Ivies, Alumni
[00:24:09] Education Secretary Suggests Harvard May Regain Federal Grants
[00:26:48] Ohio State Requires AI Fluency Across All Students
[00:30:20] IXL Learning Acquires MyTutor to Expand Global Tutoring Reach
[00:32:55] CodeHS Acquires Tynker to Bolster K-12 CS Content
[00:35:30] Grammarly Secures $1B in Non-Dilutive Funding for M&APlus, special guests:
[00:38:12] Rod Danan, Founder of Prentus, on bridging bootcamps to careers with community and coaching
[00:46:10] Lars-Petter Kjos, Co-founder and CPO of We Are Learning, on building generative AI tools for educators to create custom video content at scale😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Dr. Mike McKenna is the Senior Advisor at Tuck Advisors and also serves as the Chief Academic Officer for one of the largest school districts in Pennsylvania. With deep expertise in curriculum development, special education, and teaching and learning, Mike brings a proven track record of building inclusive, high-impact academic programs. In addition to his work in K-12 education, Mike has extensive experience in higher education and has also served as an advisory board member for multiple edtech startups and non-profits. At Tuck Advisors, Mike applies his diverse expertise to support education-focused M&A.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why 2025 may be a defining year for EdTech mergers and acquisitionsKey trends driving K-12 district purchasing decisions in today’s uncertain funding climateHow small AI companies can strategically position themselves for acquisitionWhat districts really need from AI tools—and why usability is everythingHow Tuck Advisors supports EdTech founders in mapping their growth and exit strategies✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:11] Mike McKenna shares his background in education and M&A
[00:03:37] K-12 districts face funding uncertainty and demand for innovation
[00:06:12] Tuck Advisors focuses on long-term client relationships and timing
[00:10:41] EdTech founders weigh bootstrapping vs. M&A for market access
[00:12:33] AI usage in classrooms is rising but remains mostly surface-level
[00:15:24] Integration and workflow impact are key for AI adoption in schools
[00:17:17] Many AI startups are better suited for acquisition than solo growth
[00:20:28] Access to student data is crucial for impactful AI solutions
[00:22:41] School districts seek data convergence and AI-enhanced insights😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Juan Zavala joined New Markets Venture Partners in 2019 and is a Partner. He is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing new investment opportunities as well as supporting existing portfolio companies and firm operations. He serves as a Board Director for Brains and Motion Education, Nexford University, and CreatorUp, and as a Board Observer for App Academy, BetterLesson, Censia, Climb Credit, Concentric Educational Solutions, Datapeople, Motimatic, and Regent Education. He is also actively involved with Mantra Health and Acceleration Academies.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why sustainable, capital-efficient growth beats flashy valuations in education technology.How NMVP evaluates impact and efficacy before making investments.The challenges and strategies of scaling edtech companies within slow-moving educational systems.Why aligning incentives across stakeholders—from district leaders to entrepreneurs—is key to success.How AI fits into edtech’s future and why infrastructure partnerships may outlast flashy standalone tools.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:18] From private equity to impact investing in edtech
[00:04:52] Only 15% of the U.S. is well-served by education—huge market gap
[00:05:51] Balancing mission and money in edtech investing
[00:11:30] Why VC might not be right for every founder
[00:16:36] Insights from NMVP portfolio companies like Nexford and BetterLesson
[00:27:22] CreatorUp as a case study in workforce and content innovation
[00:36:37] The importance of aligning with existing school infrastructure
[00:42:54] AI in edtech: picks and shovels, not gold rushes
[00:48:12] Why most edtech exits fall below $300M
[00:54:23] Creating shared success across founders and investors😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Dr. Margaret Honey joined the Scratch Foundation as the organization’s President & CEO in January 2024. She is widely recognized for her work using digital technologies to support children’s learning and brings decades of non-profit leadership experience and expertise to the Scratch Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Honey led the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) for 15 years, where she leveraged the museum as a platform for innovation in STEM education and developed NYSCI’s distinctive Design-Make-Play approach to STEM learning. A graduate of Hampshire College with a doctorate in developmental psychology from Columbia University, Margaret Honey has helped to shape the best thinking about learning and technology with special attention to ensuring that all young people have access to high-quality creative learning opportunities.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Scratch empowers children through creativity, coding, and community.The history and growth of Scratch into a global platform with over 46 million users.The unique philosophy of learning that sets Scratch apart from traditional edtech tools.How Scratch is approaching AI integration to foster exploration and child agency.Why sustainable, mission-driven models are essential for educational platforms.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:27] “There’s no learning without inspiration.”
[00:03:59] Scratch hits 46 million users and 21.5 million new sign-ups in 2024.
[00:06:51] Scratch empowers kids with agency and creative coding.
[00:07:47] Global education shifts toward creativity and problem-solving.
[00:13:50] 35 million studios show Scratch’s thriving peer-to-peer community.
[00:18:29] “It would be impossible to do now what Scratch did then.”
[00:24:34] Scratch explores AI as a tool for creativity, not instruction.
[00:32:29] A museum exhibit inspires a child: “I have superpowers.”
[00:34:15] Rethinking education to match the pace of technological change.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Send us a text
Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new VC investments and edtech reports.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:10] Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn says AI is more scalable than teachers, sparking debate on the future of educators
[00:10:45] Google I/O 2025 introduces Gemini 2.5, Project Astra, and real-time AI translation with broad implications for edtech
[00:18:30] OpenAI launches Codex, a cloud-based AI assistant transforming coding education and developer workflowsPlus, special guests:
[00:33:40] Senan Khawaja, Co-founder & CEO at Kollegio, on using AI to reimagine and personalize the college admissions process
[00:51:04] Rebecca Taber Staehelin & Connor Diemand-Yauman, Co-Founders & Co-CEOs of Merit America on bridging the skills gap with affordable tech career pathways
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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David Bleicher is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jotit, a company on a mission to bring handwriting back to the forefront of education in the digital age. By blending proven learning methods with advanced technologies, Jotit enhances student outcomes and executive functioning in the classroom.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why handwriting remains essential in today’s tech-driven classrooms.How Jotit integrates handwriting, AI, and executive function tools for students.The multimodal learning approach and its benefits for diverse learners.Innovative features Jotit provides to empower teachers in digital classrooms.Insights into building strong partnerships with Google and Owl Ventures.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:30] David Bleicher introduces Jotit: blending traditional handwriting with advanced technology.
[00:03:00] How David’s personal mission to help his son Uri inspired Jotit’s creation.
[00:08:16] The cognitive benefits of handwriting and its irreplaceable value in education.
[00:11:00] Jotit's multimodal approach: handwriting, typing, voice—all in one platform.
[00:14:45] Tools for teachers: streetlight control, lockdown mode, and real-time classroom interactivity.
[00:18:30] Why simplicity in classroom tech design is critical to teacher adoption.
[00:21:43] Redefining digital classrooms with tailored tech—not repurposed entertainment devices.
[00:23:07] Strategic partnerships: How Jotit collaborates with Google and Owl Ventures for scale and impact.
[00:26:30] Jotit's future and David’s continued mission to impact millions through foundational learning tools.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI in classrooms to workforce shifts and EdTech innovation across the globe.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:16] Ezra Klein podcast brings AI and education to mainstream conversation
[00:07:20] Alex and Ben compare and critique GPT-4, Claude, Gemini, and other AI tools
[00:09:28] Utah emerges as a leading hub for EdTech startups and innovation
[00:12:21] New AI bundles help educators explore tools like Superhuman and Perplexity
[00:13:19] Surge in media coverage on cheating, lawsuits, and educator use of AI
[00:16:17] Lawsuit filed against professor for using AI-generated content in class
[00:18:00] Concerns grow about students using AI tools to bypass cognitive learning
[00:23:10] Direct-to-student AI sparks debate about academic integrity and design
[00:25:20] Google plans to roll out Gemini to students under 13
[00:29:41] AI enables hands-on science learning like virtual frog dissections
[00:33:43] AI compared to electricity as foundational infrastructure for the future
[00:36:09] Rising youth unemployment signals early impact of AI-driven disruption
[00:38:57] Major firms lay off workers while shifting strategy toward AI adoption
[00:40:34] EdTech must define and prepare students for new AI-native job rolesPlus, special guest:
[00:41:22] Sam Chaudhary, Co-founder & CEO of ClassDojo on tutoring, gamified learning, and community building
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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This is a very special episode featuring our sponsor, Starbridge. Justin Wenig, Founder and CEO of Starbridge, joins us to discuss how school spending creates barriers to EdTech innovation. Justin previously co-founded Coursedog, scaling it to over 300 institutions and a nine-figure exit. With Starbridge, he’s now helping EdTech businesses navigate public sector procurement using AI to identify and close their best-fit leads.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why broken procurement processes are blocking EdTech innovation.The “illusion of competition” in RFPs and how incumbents stay ahead.The hidden rules of public sector procurement.Practical go-to-market strategies for EdTech startups trying to break through.How AI is reshaping sales, procurement, and personalization in EdTech.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:16] The hidden “unwritten rules” of school purchasing that keep new companies out.
[00:13:17] Why most RFPs aren’t competitive and how this harms innovation.
[00:23:26] Justin’s blueprint for redesigning the school procurement system.
[00:29:50] How Starbridge uses AI to help EdTech companies find and close the right leads.
[00:34:48] The future of sales: AI-powered outreach vs. human relationship building.
[00:43:09] Can AI finally bring fairness and transparency to public sector purchasing?😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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MacKenzie Price is a Stanford grad, mom of two, and the Co-Founder of 2 Hour Learning - a revolutionary learning platform that harnesses the power of AI to give kids a 1:1 personalized learning experience. Her students excel in academics while spending most of their day learning life skills that set them up for future success. She founded the first Alpha School ten years ago in Austin, Texas and now has eight schools, with others opening in the fall.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why motivation is the missing key in EdTech.How AI enables personalized, mastery-based learning.The new role of teachers as motivational guides.How to build life skills alongside academics.What’s next for AI in education—and why it’s exciting.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:19] MacKenzie on Founding Alpha Schools to create a better model for her own children.
[00:06:36] Why tech alone can’t drive student success without human connection.
[00:12:54] How Alpha Schools deliver two hours of academics and a full day of life skills.
[00:21:56] Teachers become motivational coaches, not just content experts.
[00:28:11] The power of AI to connect learning with students’ passions.
[00:38:05] Rethinking assessments: AI makes feedback immediate and actionable.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs and policy shakeups to new funding rounds and workforce shifts shaping the future of learning.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Silicon Valley debates the rise of “AI Slop” and the impact of vibe coding.
[00:03:36] Columbia student suspended for AI cheating tool raises $5.3M to commercialize it.
[00:04:56] Anthropic’s Drew Bent explains why code literacy now means editing AI-generated code.
[00:08:09] 200 CEOs and Code.org push for mandatory AI classes in high school.
[00:11:13] Federal government’s role in AI education policy under debate.
[00:14:04] Duolingo plans to replace contract workers with AI, triggering backlash.
[00:20:42] Higher ed faces political attacks; Harvard and Columbia push back.
[00:23:32] K-12 faces teacher shortages and $4.5B in proposed federal funding cuts.
[00:35:21] Google’s AI Overviews cut search click-through rates by 34.5%.Plus, special guests:
[00:36:08] Brian Malkin, Co-Founder & CEO of Rang, on rewards programs to improve K-12 attendance.
[00:50:29] John Marshall, CEO of BrainFreeze, on AI safety and transparency in schools.
[01:12:31] Scott Nadzan, Vice President of Product Marketing and Strategic Communications at Panopto, on AI-generated video and the Elai acquisition.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Mike Yates is a Senior Designer at Teach for America's Reinvention Lab, with over a decade of experience at the intersection of technology and learning. A former classroom teacher and founding member of Alpha School, he now leads the Lab’s AI initiatives, creating workshops, coaching educators, and prototyping innovative AI solutions. Mike has built partnerships with organizations like Playlab AI, Google, and Snapchat, and remains dedicated to helping educators navigate the future of learning through practical, human-centered approaches.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why teachers don’t need to “speak Silicon Valley” to embrace AI.How AI hackathons and poetry slams are making AI learning more human and fun.The concept of “AI Dexterity” and why it’s critical for future-ready educators.How rebel educators are building their own AI tools to solve real classroom problems.Why sometimes the best AI training happens on a plane or at a coffee shop!✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:08] Mike Yates’ journey from TFA rejection to leading its AI initiatives
[00:04:45] What teachers really want from AI—and why most solutions miss the mark
[00:07:28] AI at the human level: “You don’t have to speak Tech Bro to get on this train"
[00:14:05] From poetry slams to fashion design—creative ways educators are learning AI
[00:18:30] How rebel teachers are building their own EdTech tools after budget cuts
[00:23:37] Why AI as a trickster and debate partner makes learning more fun
[00:26:59] A sneak peek at the Reinvention Lab’s new initiative: Arcade AI😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Join host Alex Sarlin alongside special guest co-hosts Ben Wallerstein and Anna Kimsey Edwards, Co-Founders of Whiteboard Advisors, as they break down:
[00:03:00] Trump’s AI Executive Order launches cross-agency education task force
[00:05:00] 27 states already advancing AI education policy
[00:07:00] Workforce EO targets 1M AI-related apprenticeships
[00:10:00] Accreditation EO pushes competition and student outcomes
[00:14:00] “Beyond Degrees” report urges non-degree pathways
[00:21:00] Edtech funding hits record low in Q1 and Q2, says HolonIQ
[00:23:00] ESSER cliff and political uncertainty stall school spending
[00:28:00] Falling enrollment squeezes K-12 budgets nationwide
[00:30:00] Duolingo adds 150 AI-generated cross-language courses
[00:30:45] Google Audio Overview now available in 50 languages
[00:31:00] Panorama acquires AI writing tool Class Companion, Kollegio raises seed round for AI college advising
[00:32:30] Anthropic forecasts AI-only employees within a year
[00:36:00] Israel announces national rollout of AI tutors in schoolsPlus, special guests:
[00:36:45] Anna Iarotska, CEO & Co-founder of Robo Wunderkind, unveils the first K–5 AI Literacy Curriculum
[00:50:55] Julia Dixon, Founder & CEO of ESAI, reflects on her Shark Tank debut and democratizing admissions advising
[01:02:00] Tigran Sloyan, Co-Founder & CEO of CodeSignal, shares how TED Talks are becoming interactive learning journeys😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Betsy Corcoran and Dr. Jeremy Roschelle co-host the Future Fluent podcast, where they explore how learning is changing in the age of AI. Betsy is the cofounder of EdSurge and now leads Lede Labs, advising education leaders. Jeremy is a leading learning scientist and Executive Director of Learning Science Research at Digital Promise. Together, they bring decades of journalism and research experience to their shared mission: redefining literacy and learning in a world transformed by AI.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
What “future fluency” means in the age of AIWhy social connection is central to learning with AIHow AI can empower generalist educators and studentsThe importance of co-designing tools with teachersWhat deep knowledge—not just critical thinking—requires today✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:04:00] Launching Future Fluent: a podcast to ask better questions about AI and learning
[00:07:00] Literacy redefined: engaging with the world through many channels
[00:09:00] Mike Yates' AI poetry experiment builds confidence in creativity
[00:13:00] Using AI to support comprehension for young readers
[00:19:00] Post-COVID lesson: data proves teachers’ impact
[00:25:00] AI can’t replace deep knowledge or human insight
[00:30:00] Playlab AI helps generalist teachers act like specialists
[00:33:00] Colorado students use AI to create a voter guide chatbot
[00:36:00] Re-centering AI on human flourishing, not machine potential
[00:42:00] Real co-design starts with real educator problems😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Send us a text
In this special episode, we go behind the scenes of the Edtech Insiders GenAI K-12 Education Market Map, a first-of-its-kind framework connecting real classroom needs to AI-powered tools. Co-created by Alex Sarlin, Laurence Holt, Jacob Klein, and the Edtech Insiders team, this evolving resource helps educators, entrepreneurs, and researchers make sense of a fast-changing landscape.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why the GenAI Education Map focuses on pedagogy and learning needs over toolsHow to identify "white space" opportunities for AI in educationWhat makes AI feedback and teacher coaching some of the most promising use cases todayHow to move beyond the 5% of students typically served by EdTechWhy "team teaching with AI" might be the next big frontier✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:36] Holt & Klein introduce the origin story of the Generative AI Use Case Map
[00:03:29] Starting with teaching and learning needs, not tech capabilities
[00:06:03] Why learning science and research-backed practices still aren't reaching scale
[00:11:11] How and why the GenAI Map was built as a living, evolving framework
[00:15:20] Imagining “team teaching” between human educators and AI assistants
[00:20:16] The 5–10% problem: Why most EdTech tools miss the broader population
[00:23:18] Personalization, motivation, and redefining what success in school can look like
[00:30:05] From tool overload to comprehensive suites: the shifting EdTech landscape
[00:34:12] AI-enabled feedback loops that support both teachers and learners
[00:39:00] What’s ready for scale now—and what still needs real breakthroughs
[00:44:55] Risks and red flags: from dopamine loops to student dependence on AI
[00:48:35] Will GenAI in education be incremental or transformative?😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsors:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Levi Belnap is the CEO of Merlyn Mind, where he has been instrumental in driving the company's vision and growth since joining in 2019. Before assuming his current role, Levi served as Chief Strategy Officer for nearly four years and later as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to Merlyn Mind, Levi built an impressive career in business development and entrepreneurship. He worked for Defy Ventures, served as Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Wyzant, and co-founded FindIt, where he served as CEO. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in Political Science and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. He currently resides in Houston, Texas, where he continues to lead Merlyn Mind in transforming educational technology.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How voice AI is helping teachers regain control of the classroomWhy AI should be invisible, not overwhelming, for educatorsReal classroom impacts: higher engagement, fewer disruptionsHow multi-language support is changing access to techThe future of AI in education: enabling, not replacing, teachers✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:20] Levi Belnap’s journey to leading Merlyn Mind
[00:02:36] What Merlyn Mind’s voice AI actually does in classrooms
[00:04:19] Evolving AI strategy: Before and after ChatGPT
[00:07:29] How teacher needs drive real edtech innovation
[00:09:23] A day in the life of a "Merlyn-enabled" teacher
[00:17:16] Voice AI’s impact on student focus and behavior
[00:25:46] New Spanish-language capabilities at Merlyn Mind
[00:36:59] Why embedding AI in real workflows is the future of edtech😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Send us a text
Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from ASU+GSV insights to AI model releases, international edtech innovations, and federal policy shake-ups.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:45] ASU+GSV recap and post-conference energy
[00:04:48] Strategic AI integration gains traction
[00:05:56] Edtech market braces for consolidation
[00:08:45] Linda McMahon engages at ASU+GSV
[00:10:18] Challenges merging CS and AI in schools
[00:13:16] Harvard pushes back on federal DEI demands signals sector shift
[00:23:21] Yuanfudao launches next-gen AI tutor
[00:28:20] OpenAI releases GPT-4.1 with huge upgrades
[00:30:25] Google and Claude enhance AI tools
[00:33:56] Brisk wins GSV Cup and raises $15M
[00:35:20] Big funding rounds hit across edtech
[00:37:56] Global expansion and tutor startup fundingPlus, special guest:
[00:38:27] Collin Earnst of the Ed-tech Leadership Collective on building edtech leadership
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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Send us a text
Vikas Pota is an entrepreneur and investor in education and digital businesses that seek to address some of the sector's intractable challenges and to advance education quality and opportunity. He is the founder of T4 Education, the Global EdTech Prize and the World's Best School Prizes. He is the Executive Chairman of the Education Leaders Forum, where he convenes the CEOs and leaders of many of the world’s biggest and most influential education businesses to advance their growth. Vikas is also the Founder of Inicio Partners, an executive search firm dedicated to helping education institutions, technology companies, and social impact organisations find their best leadership talent. He has previously led the rebrand of a major education business, built a corporate venture capital fund, and run a philanthropic foundation.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why storytelling—not policy—is the key to transforming education.How the Global EdTech Prize centers educators in judging impact.The ripple effect of education prizes on national policies.What makes edtech truly scalable and impactful.A thoughtful take on AI’s role in education and society.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:21] Vikas Pota’s vision for global education reform
[00:02:34] Launching the educator-judged Global EdTech Prize
[00:04:36] How prizes drive innovation and influence policy
[00:07:32] Elevating teacher status through the Global Teacher Prize
[00:09:07] “Policy no longer moves the needle”—Obama’s leadership lesson
[00:12:08] Who should apply for the prize—and why it matters
[00:16:33] AI in education: Asking what we should do, not just what we can😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.
This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.
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