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As CEO and Co-Founder of Learnosity, Gavin Cooney still talks about the company he helped build over a decade ago with an infectious zeal. It’s easy to see why: what began as a project in a garden shed (a cliché maybe, but 100% true!) has matured into an internationally renowned tech company with a 200-strong crew of problem-solvers. Since Gav believes that all social ills can be remedied through education, his modus operandi is pretty simple: give education the standard of technology it deserves.
How Learnosity empowers EdTech platforms with AI-driven assessment tools.The transformative role of AI in reducing teacher workloads and enhancing feedback.What makes Learnosity’s essay-scoring tool uniquely efficient and cost-effective.The importance of specialized EdTech solutions versus general AI tools.Gavin’s vision for the future of AI and assessment in education.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:23] Gavin Cooney shares Learnosity’s global impact: 40M users and 19B questions delivered annually.
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[00:03:38] How AI-driven essay scoring saves teachers hours of grading time each week.
[00:06:48] Learnosity’s cutting-edge AI achieves unmatched scoring accuracy at just one cent per essay.
[00:10:25] Why Learnosity focuses on enhancing teacher feedback rather than replacing educators.
[00:13:54] The balance between general AI tools and Learnosity’s specialized capabilities.
[00:18:10] Learnosity’s strategic pivot to invest heavily in AI development and innovation.
[00:24:02] Gav’s optimistic outlook on AI as the “100-year wave” reshaping education.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Trish Sparks leads Clever as CEO. Previously she was VP of Customer Success and Sales. Trish came to Clever with a wealth of executive leadership experience at companies such as LinkedIn, where she scaled a global customer success organization, and at DemandBase, where she was Chief Customer Officer. As a North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholar, she started her career as a middle school teacher in Wake County Public Schools. Trish holds BS degrees in Business and Education as well as an MBA from Meredith College. After living in the Bay Area for 20 years, Trish now resides in Chapel Hill, NC.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Clever has grown to serve 28 million students and teachers across the U.S.The role of digital identity platforms in securing and simplifying education technology.Insights from Clever’s “Classroom of the Future” report on AI adoption in education.How AI and automation are reducing teacher workloads and improving teaching conditions.Clever’s innovative cybersecurity solutions tailored for K-12 schools.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:47] Trish’s journey from teaching to leading Clever and her passion for EdTech.
[00:04:54] The critical role of identity platforms in protecting student data and facilitating digital learning.
[00:08:04] Key findings from Clever’s “Classroom of the Future” report
[00:09:41] The rapid adoption of AI in EdTech and its evolving role in education
[00:11:12] Cybersecurity challenges in K-12 schools and Clever’s solutions to mitigate risks.
[00:14:44] Exciting EdTech trends, from addressing teacher shortages to advancing student data protection.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!
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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 in this Thanksgiving edition of "Week in Edtech" as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from groundbreaking AI innovations to edtech controversies and funding milestones.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:16] 🧠 Edtech Insiders publishes AI tool market map with 300+ tools across 60 use cases
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[00:05:39] 🌐 Google AI Summit recap featuring LearnLM and Gemini’s memory feature
[00:14:57] 🎥 OpenAI’s leaked Sora video generator sparks ethical debates
[00:18:08] 📚 TikTok’s study tools trend raises concerns about gamified learning
[00:27:38] 💰 Amazon invests $4 billion in Anthropic to deepen AI ties
[00:32:10] ⚖️ AllHere founder charged with fraud impacts trust in edtech startups
[00:40:53] 🏫 MIT, UT, and others announce free tuition for low-income families
Plus Special Guest:
[00:46:02] 🎙️ Brett Waikart, Co-founder & CEO of Skillfully, discusses skills-based hiring and future of work.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Laura K. Ipsen is president and chief executive officer of Ellucian, the leading technology solutions provider for more than 2,900 higher education institutions in more than 50 countries. She has more than 25 years of experience as a technology executive in Silicon Valley, driving transformation in the public and private sectors and spurring adoption of comprehensive solutions in high-growth industries at Oracle Corporation, Microsoft and Cisco Systems. Earlier in her career, Ipsen also held leadership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Acer America, and Hitachi Data Systems.
How AI is transforming higher education, from predictive analytics to enrollment success.Insights from Ellucian’s latest AI survey, highlighting adoption challenges and opportunities.The evolving value of a four-year degree in a tech-driven job market.How technology can alleviate FAFSA challenges and improve financial aid accessibility.The potential of a holistic, data-driven approach to student engagement and success.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:45] Laura Ipsen on Ellucian’s AI survey and industry readiness for AI adoption.
[00:12:30] Demonstrating the ROI of degrees through skill alignment and data insights.
[00:18:50] The importance of SaaS and data integration for institutional efficiency.
[00:25:40] Addressing FAFSA challenges with technology-driven financial aid solutions.
[00:32:15] Using AI to predict and address student needs and improve retention.
[00:40:10] How the Journey platform connects education to lifelong career success.
[00:48:20] Revolutionizing higher ed productivity through AI-driven administration.Resources Mentioned:
Ellucian AI SurveyStudent Voice ReportEdUp Experience PodcastPaul LeBlanc’s Work on AI in Higher Ed😎 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 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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Matt Given is an experienced education technology leader and the CEO of Seesaw, a groundbreaking learning experience platform designed for PreK-5 students. With over 20 years of experience in education and edtech leadership, Matt has held executive roles at Kaplan, Catapult Learning, and EdisonLearning. Known for his expertise in universal design for learning and his ability to bridge the gap between home and classroom, Matt is a driving force behind Seesaw's mission to create accessible and engaging learning tools.
How Seesaw connects teachers, students, parents, and administrators through its unique “learning loop.”The evolution of Seesaw from a communication tool to a robust learning experience platform.How AI enhances teacher workflows on Seesaw while keeping the focus on human-centered learning.The role of inclusive design and feedback from over 100,000 teacher ambassadors in shaping Seesaw’s products.The future of edtech tools in streamlining resources and fostering human connections in classrooms.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!
[00:00:22] Streamlining teacher workflows and improving classroom outcomes with Seesaw.
[00:03:13] Reflections on 25 years in edtech and the evolution of digital learning tools.
[00:07:16] Universal design for pre-readers and special populations.
[00:11:38] Seesaw’s COVID-19 transformation and post-pandemic innovations.
[00:16:45] Digital portfolios tracking student progress over time.
[00:29:20] Teacher ambassadors shaping product development with real-world feedback.
[00:36:14] Cautiously integrating AI for fluency assessments and translation.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Arman Jaffer is the founder and CEO of Brisk Teaching. Brisk is an AI tool that helps educators personalize their instruction and save hours of time on administrative tasks.
Emily Bennett currently serves as a Principal investor at Owl Ventures.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Brisk Teaching’s AI tools streamline teacher workflows and enhance instructional efficiency.The vision for AI in edtech, focusing on student-centered, adaptive learning through tools like Brisk Boost.Key insights into Owl Ventures’ investment strategy in AI-focused edtech solutions.The critical factors for edtech startups navigating the current funding landscape.The future of student-facing AI in education and its impact on teaching and learning.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:22] How AI enhances insights into student thinking for improved instruction.
[00:01:49] Brisk Teaching's AI tools streamline teacher workflows with automation.
[00:05:09] Owl Ventures' perspective on investing in high-impact AI edtech.
[00:07:20] Brisk’s integration into teachers’ daily workflows across platforms.
[00:13:03] The shift toward student-focused AI for personalized learning.
[00:20:35] Use case for Brisk Boost’s interactive student tutoring aligned with learning objectives.
[00:30:26] Practical advice for edtech entrepreneurs on navigating the funding landscape.
✨ EdTech Insiders+ Members' Exclusive:Don’t miss the overtime episode with Arman & Emily, where they go beyond the main conversation to discuss:
Advice for founders on building impactful edtech productsSustainable business models for AI in educationEssentials for creating responsible, student-focused AISubscribe to EdTech Insiders+ to access this exclusive content, get first dibs on event announcements, tickets and more!
😎 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 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 for a post-election edition of "Week in Edtech," featuring insights from Anna Edwards and Ben Wallerstein of Whiteboard Advisors.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:16] 🇺🇸 New trends in education policy post-election
[00:04:42] 🏛️ Why state policies will shape the future of K-12 education
[00:08:10] 💸 The looming financial gap for districts as ESSER funds expire
[00:10:57] 🏢 Republicans’ potential plans to restructure or abolish the Education Department
[00:19:50] 📉 Navigating a shifting landscape and finding opportunities in state funding
[00:28:32] 🛠️ Rising focus on workforce readiness and career pathways
[00:33:55] 📈 A move toward flexible, formative assessment models in K-12
[00:36:08] 🤖 Anna Edwards on AI's expanding role in K-12 education
[00:42:04] 🚀 Federal policies open doors for flexibility and innovation in educationPlus Special Guests:
[00:55:33] 🎙️ Kavitta Ghai, CEO of Nectir, discusses how AI is transforming student support and boosting engagement in higher education
[01:18:41] 🎙️ Lindsay Dworkin, SVP of Policy and Government Affairs at HMH, shares insights on adapting edtech strategy amidst policy changes😎 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 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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Chuck Cohn is the Founder, Chairman & CEO of Nerdy (parent company of Varsity Tutors). Chuck founded the company in 2007 during his junior year of college after experiencing frustration finding the personalized help he needed for a calculus course. He spent his early career working in energy & power investment banking at Wells Fargo Securities (Wachovia) and healthcare private equity at Ascension Ventures, an $800M AUM private equity fund. Chuck bootstrapped Nerdy before leaving his private equity role to focus on growing Nerdy full-time at the end of 2011.
How Varsity Tutors scaled from a startup to a public company and the evolving business model for reaching individual and institutional customers.The critical role of “high-dosage tutoring” in overcoming learning loss and why regular, personalized sessions outperform on-demand solutions.How AI tools are enhancing personalized education by creating adaptive lesson plans and optimizing tutor-student matching.The challenges and strategies in transitioning from direct-to-consumer to B2B in the K-12 education sector.The future of AI in tutoring, including real-time translation and adaptive content, and how it’s reshaping the role of human tutors.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!
[00:03:07] Chuck’s founding story of Nerdy and his vision for accessible tutoring
[00:05:20] Scaling Varsity Tutors from individual tutoring to institutional partnerships.
[00:07:27] Early entrepreneurial lessons from bootstrapping and finance
[00:13:17] Ensuring quality through effective tutor-student matching.
[00:16:45] Why high-dosage, relationship-based tutoring drives better outcomes
[00:24:10] Balancing logistics with personalization in tutoring.
[00:30:46] Chuck’s outlook on sustainable tutoring post-ESSER funding
[00:35:00] How AI enhances personalization and tutor matching at Varsity Tutors
[00:41:03] Consistent tutoring's impact on improving school attendance
[00:50:06] The promise of real-time language translation for ELL students.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Mark Miller is the founder and Managing Director of Good Harbor Partners (GHP), a boutique M&A advisory firm specializing in the education technology and publishing sectors. With over 20 years of experience as an edtech entrepreneur and advisor, Miller has a proven track record in guiding Pre-K-12, Higher Education, and Workforce clients through strategic growth, fundraising, and successful exits. A co-founder of LearnLaunch and a dedicated member of Cornell’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Board, Miller is widely respected for his contributions to the edtech ecosystem and frequently shares his insights as a speaker at industry events.
How to decide when to stay and grow or pursue an acquisition.The importance of a clear capital strategy in today’s funding landscape.Key factors edtech entrepreneurs should consider at major inflection points.How AI developments are influencing the edtech M&A landscape.Challenges in securing sustainable funding for K-12 and higher ed amid economic uncertainties.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:13] From Cornell to edtech, winning a business plan competition to building companies
[00:10:18] Creating 'Take Note' as an early publishing venture at Cornell
[00:19:51] Transition to M&A, guiding entrepreneurs on growth and exit decisions
[00:26:19] Profitability and sustainability as essentials in today’s edtech
[00:32:17] Common pitfalls in capital strategy and valuation for startups
[00:47:27] AI and M&A, how big edtech views acquisitions in the AI market
[01:03:10] Key resources from top thinkers in edtech policy and strategy😎 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 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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Libby Hills co-leads the Jacobs Foundation’s global EdTech investment portfolio, focusing on the intersection of technology, research, and education. With over 15 years in education, including roles in teaching, tech leadership, and charity boards, she also co-hosts the Ed-Technical podcast. Libby holds degrees in Education and Social Business from Oxford and LSE.
The future of AI-powered tutoring and its potential impact.Key components that make tutoring effective.Jacobs Foundation’s approach to cost-effective hybrid AI-human models.Current limitations of AI in understanding student learning.New UK government initiatives supporting AI in education.
Owen Henkel is an AI in Education researcher at the University of Oxford, specializing in natural language processing for foundational literacy and numeracy. He leads the R&D team for Rori, a chatbot for personalized math tutoring on low-cost mobile phones, and co-hosts Ed-Technical with Libby. Owen has a dual MBA/MA from the University of Michigan and is completing his Ph.D. at Oxford.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:22] Generative AI’s limitations in understanding student learning.
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[00:00:57] Carnegie Mellon’s AI-human hybrid tutoring model.
[00:04:37] Four pillars of effective high-dosage tutoring.
[00:08:17] History and evolution of intelligent tutoring systems (ITS).
[00:11:26] Rori, a math tutoring chatbot for underserved regions.
[00:17:18] Hybrid models reducing tutoring costs and training needs.
[00:24:42] AI modeling new thinking processes for students.
[00:26:35] UK government-backed AI content hubs and resources.
[00:31:32] Raising minimum quality standards in education with AI.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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 political and technological currents reshaping education, from college ROI and student loans to AI’s expanding role in higher ed.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:04:28] 🗳️ Election’s Impact on Education Policy
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[00:12:11] 🎓 Debating the Value of College Amid Rising Costs
[00:15:12] 📉 Freshman Enrollment Sees Largest Drop Since Pandemic
[00:18:02] 🛠️ SchooLinks Raises $80M to Expand Career Pathways
[00:27:01] 🤖 Half of Higher Ed Adopting AI Tools for Outcomes
[00:37:05] 🕹️ AI Chatbot Linked to Teen Suicide Raises Alarms
[00:45:18] 🌍 Meta Orion & Apple Vision Pro Bring XR Back to Spotlight
[00:48:46] 📊 Anthropic’s AI Now Performs Autonomous Computer Tasks
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Roosh X is an investment arm of Roosh Investment Group.
Nathan Maynard is the CEO and Founder of HighFive, a company using mobile technology to foster connected school communities and reduce recidivism for negative classroom behaviors. With over 11 years of experience as a youth worker, teacher, and school administrator, Nathan co-authored the best-selling book "Hacking School Discipline," and is a global thought leader in reimagining discipline practices in education.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Highfive uses technology and empathy to reshape school discipline.The importance of creating a sense of belonging to reduce negative behaviors.Nathan's journey from youth worker to edtech entrepreneur and thought leader.The impact of AI on real-time behavioral interventions in schools.How Highfive is expanding its reach across the U.S. with new partnerships and funding.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:46] Introduction to Nathan Maynard and Highfive’s mission to transform school discipline.
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[00:03:34] Building connected school communities to reduce negative behaviors.
[00:05:43] How real-time technology supports teachers in managing discipline
[00:08:13] From "Hacking School Discipline" to scaling Highfive’s impact
[00:21:26] Using AI to address systemic bias and improve behavioral insights
[00:24:34] Highfive’s expansion strategy across key U.S. states.
[00:27:55] Partnership with Roosh X to support growth and mental health initiatives.
[00:34:22] Promoting positive behavior with Highfive's virtual "high fives" system.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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 in education technology, AI developments, and key edtech funding moves.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:53] 🗽 Recap of New York EdTech Week, highlighting key themes and vibrant energy from the event.
[00:04:37] 📈 Discussion on the rise of micro companies, with lower barriers leading to a surge in niche startups.
[00:12:36] 🤝Convergence between philanthropy and EdTech, focusing on how partnerships can drive sustainable models.
[00:17:28] 💰 PhysicsWallah's $400-500 million IPO plans could reshape EdTech, positioning it to overtake Byju's as India's leader.
[00:21:22] 🤖 Controversial use of AI in Nevada to reclassify at-risk students, sparking debates on resource allocation.
[00:22:07] ⚖️ Broader implications of AI in decision-making, raising questions about existing policies and resource management.Plus special guest:
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[00:25:12] 🎙️ Shauntel Garvey, Co-Founder and General Partner at Reach Capital
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Brian Shaw is the CEO of Discovery Education, a global leader in educational technology that reaches over 45 million students and 4.5 million educators across 100+ countries. With a background in finance and corporate strategy from his roles at Red Ventures and Time Warner Cable, Brian has extensive experience in M&A and business integration. At Discovery Education, he drives innovation through acquisitions and partnerships, delivering impactful digital learning solutions.
How Discovery Education builds lasting school partnershipsAI-powered tools transforming assessments for teachersCareer Connect bridging classrooms and real-world careersThe role of acquisitions in driving innovation and growthAdapting to budget shifts and consolidation in EdTech
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:13] Brian Shaw explains Discovery’s mission to drive learning outcomes
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[00:03:47] Discussion on interoperability with school systems
[00:05:25] EdTech consolidation and how Discovery stays ahead
[00:08:59] AI assessment generator making custom assessments easy
[00:11:25] Career Connect helping students explore careers early
[00:15:01] Identifying the right companies to acquire
[00:19:35] The importance of communication after acquisitions
[00:23:02] Advice for startups building relationships with Discovery
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Auditi Chakravarty is CEO of AERDF (the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund). AERDF applies Advanced Inclusive R&D to find potentially transformative teaching and learning solutions that can scale, centering on the assets, strengths, and needs of Black and Latino learners and all learners experiencing poverty. Auditi also chairs the Board of Bottom Line, a national college access and success organization, and is a venture partner with LearnLaunch Accelerator. A former high school English teacher, Auditi holds a BA in English and M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
How AERDF models inclusive research by engaging students, educators, and researchers throughout the design process.Why centering Black, Latino, and low-income learners in R&D creates solutions that benefit all students.How AERDF’s three programs—EF+Math, Reading Reimagined, and Assessment for Good—are driving impact in education.The challenges of breaking silos between research, practice, and product development in education.The potential of AI to accelerate equity in education—and why it’s crucial to align it with evidence-based practices.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!
[00:01:51] Introduction to AERDF’s mission inspired by DARPA’s innovation model
[00:03:58] Centering Black, Latino, and low-income learners in R&D for solutions that benefit all students
[00:09:45] Building cross-sector collaboration to bridge gaps between research and practice
[00:22:22] Teachers feel ownership when involved in the co-design process
[00:30:25] Why edtech solutions must align with evidence to serve underserved communities effectively
[00:46:53] Creating an ecosystem of funders to support risk-taking and innovation in education
[00:48:31] AI as an accelerant for good or bad, depending on how it is used and supported by evidence
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Stephen Jull was the COO/CFO and co-founder of GeoGebra GmbH (acquired by BYJU’S in 2021), and a limited partner at Emerge Education. With a PhD from Cambridge and over two decades of experience in EdTech, Stephen has led transformative projects in mathematics, STEM education, and AI-driven learning at a global scale. He is also the former interim CEO of Epic! and a dedicated advisor to high-growth EdTech startups.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How AI, human tutors, and learning communities can reshape the outdated education system.The role of technology in addressing teacher shortages, especially in STEM fields.Insights on creating inclusive AI to support neurodiverse learners.Key takeaways from Stephen’s experience building GeoGebra into a global education powerhouse.How emerging technologies like AI are set to revolutionize global education systems.✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:22] Stephen Jull on the need for personalized learning to update outdated education systems.
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[00:03:31] Stephen’s journey from teaching in remote Canada to founding GeoGebra.
[00:06:54] Lessons from GeoGebra's growth and advice for EdTech founders
[00:11:10] Insights into BYJU'S acquisition and its impact on global EdTech
[00:12:50] AI, human tutors, and learning communities transforming education
[00:15:32] The importance of inclusive AI for neurodiverse learners.
[00:21:26] Global leaders and regions driving AI innovation in education.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Katie Kurtz is Managing Director and Global Head of Youth and Learning at YouTube where she is responsible for developing the ecosystem to engage, inform, and educate kids, teens, and adults. Katie joined YouTube in 2019 after serving as Chief Product Officer at Noodle Partners, an online program manager designing and building fully online degree programs for universities. Previously she was Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager for Higher Education at Cengage Learning. Prior to that Katie was Vice President of Business Development at adaptive learning pioneer Knewton, where she led the platform's partnership strategy for three years.
How YouTube has become one of the largest learning platforms globally.The new educational features on YouTube, including quizzes, key concepts, and AI conversational tutors.Insights into YouTube’s Study Hall program, allowing students to earn college credits.The delicate balance between entertainment and education that creators must maintain.The future of AI and machine learning in shaping YouTube’s educational experiences.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:32] Katie Kurtz discusses her career path from Knewton to YouTube
[00:05:29] The rise of YouTube as one of the largest global learning platforms
[00:06:29] New educational tools on YouTube, including quizzes and AI-driven tutors.
[00:10:16] Study Hall: YouTube’s program helping students earn college credits.[00:18:06] YouTube’s “Player for Education” and its benefits for teachers and classrooms.
[00:21:31] The role of AI in transforming education on YouTube.
[00:24:02] Katie reflects on YouTube's responsibility as a leading educational platform.😎 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 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 in education technology, AI developments, and key edtech funding moves.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:12] 👩🏫 OpenAI raises $6.5B and launches OpenAI Academy
[00:09:05] 📚 Google’s $120M AI Education Fund and NotebookLM tools
[00:15:03] 🦜 Duolingo’s AI strategy and record stock prices
[00:22:05] 📉 Udemy lays off hundreds and shifts to lower-cost regions
[00:25:40] 💰 Prof Jim raises $1.5M to expand AI-generated video content
[00:29:13] 🤖 AI-generated celebrity videos teaching math and science
[00:37:16] 💼 David Banks resigns as NYC Schools Chancellor
[00:45:11] 💸 TEAMology raises $1.2M for mental health; Hello Wonder raises $2.1M for safe browsing
Plus special guest:
[00:52:00] 🎙️ Jason Palmer, Former Democratic Presidential Candidate & Co-Founder of TOGETHER!, on education reform, AI, and the future of learning.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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Oliver Page is the Co-founder & CEO at CyberNut. Starting his journey as a teenage founder of NutKase Accessories, Oliver scaled the business to 60 countries before transitioning to cybersecurity. Now, with CyberNut, he focuses on providing schools with gamified, easy-to-use cybersecurity training. He is also an Angel Investor, and Startup Advisor.
Why schools are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks.The real cost of ransomware attacks on schools.How phishing emails are exploiting vulnerabilities in education.Key strategies for implementing cybersecurity training in schools.The role of AI in the future of school cybersecurity.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!
[00:00:00] Introduction and Oliver Page’s journey from EdTech to Cybersecurity
[00:02:45] Shocking statistics: phishing and ransomware attacks in schools
[00:07:12] Why traditional cybersecurity solutions aren’t working for schools
[00:10:50] How CyberNut’s training helps schools avoid cyberattacks
[00:16:20] The role of AI and evolving cyber threats
[00:20:00] What makes an effective cybersecurity solution for schools
[00:27:30] Best practices for protecting schools from ransomware
[00:33:15] How phishing training can improve school cybersecurity
[00:39:00] The future of personalized cybersecurity training in education
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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Tal Havivi is the Managing Director of R&D at ASCD + ISTE, focusing on initiatives to improve the health and effectiveness of the EdTech market. He leads research around high-quality EdTech design, programs focused on improving evaluation processes in school systems, and supports EdTech providers. Previously, he led Education Strategy at Amazon Business focused on improving education procurement. He also has experience working at edtech startups and in K-12 administration.
How the role of evidence in EdTech has evolved over the last decade and why it’s more critical than ever.The importance of teacher usability in EdTech tools and how it impacts learning outcomes.What ISTE and ASCD’s initiatives are doing to create a more rigorous evaluation framework for EdTech products.The five quality indicators used to assess EdTech solutions: Usability, Interoperability, Accessibility, Data Privacy, and Research Basis.How EdTech providers can bridge the gap between research and practical application in schools.
💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Introduction to Tal Havivi and his role at ASCD & ISTE.
Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!
[00:02:59] The coalition behind EdTech’s five quality indicators.
[00:05:41] How evidence-based EdTech has evolved post-pandemic
[00:09:11] Why teacher usability is crucial for EdTech success.
[00:15:55] ISTE’s 2025 plan to prioritize validated EdTech vendors.
[00:19:37] Challenges in bridging research and practical EdTech solutions.
[00:29:38] The future of EdTech evaluation and quality standards.
😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:
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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