Edtech Insiders

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In this special episode, we spotlight the GESAwards, often called the “United Nations of EdTech,” with founder Avi Warshavsky of MindCET and three inspiring finalists from around the world. They share how they’re harnessing AI, rethinking prison education, and transforming music learning for millions of students.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1.  Why GESAwards are built on local partnerships
2. How AI levels the global EdTech playing field
3. Designing learning platforms for prisons
4. Music education’s link to wellbeing and STEM
5. How global collaboration fuels EdTech visibility 

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:15] Avi Warshavsky on the GESAwards’ biggest achievement: global community
[00:04:34] How regional partners uncover hidden EdTech gems worldwide
[00:07:19] AI as an equalizer for startups in small markets

Finalist Interviews:
[00:12:02] Chen Berger, COO of StudyWise.io on AI for assessments & adaptive learning
[00:18:28] Jessica Hicklin, Co-founder of Unlocked Labs on Prison education reform
[00:31:18] Tom Gale, CEO of Solfeg.io on Music education for engagement & wellbeing

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology leading into NY EDTECH WEEK, from AI adoption in classrooms to major acquisitions and emerging trends across global EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:39] 85% of teachers and 86% of students used AI this year, sparking concerns about disconnection.
[00:05:21] Google’s Notebook LM and OpenAI apps mark the next phase of AI-driven learning.
[00:10:56] Campus acquires Sizzle AI to accelerate AI-powered associate degrees.
[00:17:46] “Combine or Die”: AI startups merge with delivery platforms to stay competitive.
[00:20:38] India’s EdTech resurgence with new investment from Google, Anthropic, and SpeakX AI.
[00:22:16] One in five teens report AI relationships, redefining digital social life.
[00:23:40] Computer science shifts from major to essential literacy for all students.
[00:28:15] AI’s rise mirrors the early internet era as it becomes part of everyday life.

Plus, special guests:
[00:33:56] Joy Chen, Enterprise Account Manager at HeyGen on how AI avatars are reshaping instructional design and interactive learning.
[00:59:55] Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, Author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, on creativity, mentorship, and the role of technology in artistic education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell with guest Anna Edwards of Whiteboard Advisors as they unpack a packed week in education technology. From sweeping cell phone bans to AI reshaping classrooms and colleges, and celebrate a major milestone of 400 episodes of EdTech Insiders!

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] States expand K–12 phone bans over mental health
[00:04:29] Federal shutdown hits Title I, Head Start, ED
[00:06:28] ICE detains superintendent, raising compliance fears
[00:13:25] Why phone bans need digital-literacy support
[00:19:25] Higher ed faces international enrollment and funding drops
[00:28:41] Harvard grade inflation reignites rigor debate
[00:32:32] States pilot graduate profiles and competency shifts
[00:38:08] ChatGPT adds apps; Coursera leads edtech uses
[00:46:20] Key state and district policy trends

Plus, special guests:
[00:46:20] Jim Beasley, Co-founder & Technology Director and Maurie Beasley, Co-founder & Educator, AIEDPro, on AI PD and classroom pilots.
[01:16:32] Stacey Brook, Founder & Chief Advisor, College Essay Advisors on College EssAI and ethical AI for essays. 

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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Deborah Howes is the President of Howes Studio and a pioneer in digital museum education. With over three decades leading EdTech programs at top cultural institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, and MOCA Los Angeles. She now helps museums and nonprofits transform analog learning into dynamic digital experiences.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn:

1. How AI is transforming museum archives and accessibility.
2. Why authenticity and trust matter in EdTech collaborations.
3. The power of open-access museum data for global learning.
4. How museum teaching methods can inspire better AI tutors.
5. What museums must do now to remain relevant in a digital world.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] The hidden power of museum and EdTech collaborations
[00:05:10] AI in museums: from ancient scrolls to image tagging
[00:11:40] Why AI isn’t learning from museum data, yet
[00:22:40] “Throw open the gates”: the case for open access
[00:31:50] How a MoMA partnership brought art into classrooms
[00:38:40] Howes’ advice for EdTech founders partnering with museums
[00:47:00] “Start with the experience, not the tech”
[00:57:30] The urgency: keeping museums relevant in the AI era

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Matt Tower as they break down the biggest headlines shaping the future of education technology. From OpenAI’s new video model to major EdTech funding rounds and the rise of curriculum-informed AI.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:56] EdTech Week 2025 preview at Columbia University featuring OpenAI’s education keynote.
[00:06:50] SETDA report: AI overtakes cybersecurity as top K–12 tech priority.
[00:09:05] OpenAI’s Sora 2 video model brings lifelike multimodal AI to education.
[00:14:10] Rise of AI actors like “Tilly Norwood” underscores new media literacy concerns.
[00:18:30] Code.org launches Hour of AI to expand AI literacy in schools.
[00:24:40] Debate: Is “learn to code” still essential in the AI age?
[00:29:30] Microsoft Copilot adds Study Mode with shareable learning tools.
[00:32:00] Anthology (Blackboard) bankruptcy exposes failed 2021 PE merger.
[00:38:10] Funding: LingoKids raises $120M; Outsmart (ex-Duolingo) raises $40M.
[00:43:50] National test score slump fuels “End of Thinking” education debate.
[00:46:10] Calls for clear new visions of learning in the AI era.

Plus, special guests:
[00:53:00] Sari Factor, Vice Chair & Chief Strategy Officer, and Jason Fournier, VP of Product Management for AI & Data at Imagine Learning, on curriculum-informed AI.
[01:04:00] Caleb Hicks, CEO & Co-founder of SchoolAI, on AI tutors and personalized learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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Vanessa Castañeda Gill, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher and Lucy Stevens, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Social Cipher, lead a majority-neurodivergent team creating social-emotional learning video games that help neurodivergent youth build self-understanding and connections; inspired by Vanessa’s experiences as an autistic/ADHD Latina, their games and curriculum are now used in 200+ schools and therapy centers across 8 countries, earning recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, MIT Solve, and the LEGO Foundation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. Using games to build belonging and self-advocacy for neurodivergent students
2. Authentic representation and storytelling in SEL game design
3. Insights teachers and therapists gain from playtesting
4. The impact of a majority-neurodivergent team on product and mission
5. Connecting SEL games to IEP goals and today’s mental health needs

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:08] Vanessa on founding Social Cipher from her autistic & ADHD experience
[00:06:05] Lucy on designing nuanced neurodivergent characters
[00:12:37] Feedback from students and educators that changed the game
[00:18:21] Lessons from managing a majority-neurodivergent team
[00:26:25] Pairing the game with SEL curriculum in schools
[00:33:52] Why schools adopt games to solve urgent SEL challenges
[00:41:55] Tackling youth anxiety through meaning and belonging
[00:47:15] How Social Cipher views AI in education and gaming
[00:48:50] Using SEL games to support IEP goals 

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insid

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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Janak Panchal and Rishan Dutia are cofounders of CoGuide, an AI classroom assistant that plans lessons and runs live discussions in 30+ languages. Janak, a former assistant guide with 250+ socratic discussions sessions within the Acton Academy Network, built the first MVP. Rishan leads engineering and builds the Vision OS for hand-raising and participation analytics.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How a teacherpreneur and a student founder teamed up to build CoGuide
2. Why AI facilitation goes beyond lesson planning to live classroom discussions
3. How Vision OS tracks participation and supports teachers with actionable data
4. The balance between teacher augmentation and student privacy
5. Where Janak and Rishan see AI in classrooms heading in the next three years

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:12] Janak Panchal on turning classroom struggles into CoGuide’s first MVP
[00:04:18] Rishan Dutia on becoming one of the youngest edtech founders at 12
[00:05:55] How CoGuide evolved into Vision OS with live classroom facilitation
[00:09:51] Janak explains “standby mode” and real-time analytics for teachers
[00:11:17] Rishan on building privacy-first AI that works in 30+ languages
[00:16:03] Why CoGuide focuses on collaboration, not one-on-one AI tutoring
[00:27:39] Janak shares how CoGuide could reduce teacher burnout
[00:29:04] Rishan on augmenting, not automating, the teacher’s role

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they dive into the latest headlines shaping the future of education technology, from AI tutors and Gallup polls to new VR career pathways and the impact of phone bans in schools. 

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:38] Mashable compares AI tutors from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic
[00:10:45] Gallup poll shows confidence in K-12 at all-time low
[00:15:48] CZI launches Learning Commons open-source AI infrastructure
[00:20:41] CZI + Anthropic partnership expands AI tools for edtech
[00:23:31] Kahoot unveils new AI-powered study tools
[00:26:26] Phone bans spread in U.S. schools with positive results
[00:29:53] Higher ed faces declining international applications and demographic cliff 

Plus, special guests:
[00:36:24] Nick Chen, Founder of PlayMath.org, on educational gaming and product lessons
[01:00:40] Jamie Candee, CEO of Edmentum, on career pathways, durable skills, and VR workforce prep 

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

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In this special episode, we spotlight the Global EdTech Prize 2025 with founder Vikas Pota of T4 Education and six inspiring finalists from around the world.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why educators (not investors) choose the winners
2. How AI, AR, and VR expand access to learning
3. Innovation across Brazil, Nigeria, India, MENA, and Ukraine
4. How schools and governments are becoming edtech leaders
5. The role of global collaboration in scaling impact

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:23] Vikas Pota on the prize vision

Finalist Interviews:
[00:17:54] Hamdi Tabbaa, CEO and Co-Founder of Abwaab
[00:32:42] Smita Deorah, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of LEAD School
[00:48:58] Anna Sydoruk, CEO of Osvitoria
[01:02:43] Rapelang Rabana, Co-CEO of Imagine Worldwide
[1:19:42] Serdar Ferit, CEO of Lyfta
[01:28:05] Aniekeme Umoh, COO at The uLesson Group

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow

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 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.