Edtech Insiders

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Tigran Sloyan is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of CodeSignal, the leading skills platform empowering teams and individuals to discover and develop the skills that will shape the future. Tigran is a recognized voice in the industry—a TED speaker, active Forbes Technology Council member, frequent keynote, and contributor to major publications. He is passionate about the intersections of technology, education, and talent acquisition, and his innovative insights are regularly featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Morning Brew, and more. Before co-founding CodeSignal, Tigran was part of the technology management team at Google, where he spearheaded initiatives like Google Hangouts for Education and Google Login for sectors like Travel and Publishing. 

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How AI and simulations are transforming skills-based hiring and eliminating resume bias.
2. Why resumes are outdated and how companies can move toward more accurate and fair assessments.
3. The role of Bloom’s Two Sigma Problem in shaping CodeSignal’s AI tutoring innovations.
4. How Generative AI is enabling real-world, high-fidelity skill simulations for non-technical roles like sales and leadership.
5. Why universities struggle to keep up with fast-changing skills and how private sector partnerships can fill the gap.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:10] From Google to CodeSignal, Tigran Sloyan’s journey into skills-based hiring.
[00:05:42] Why resumes are a poor hiring signal and what should replace them.
[00:11:38] Hands-on learning vs. passive learning and the power of AI-driven practice.
[00:15:16] AI-powered simulations for training sales, leadership, and technical roles.
[00:24:11] Can AI replace executive coaches and leadership mentors?
[00:30:15] Why traditional universities struggle to keep up with changing skill demands.
[00:41:17] AI-driven skills assessments as an alternative to applicant tracking systems.
[00:49:46] The need for collaboration in solving the global skills gap.

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🎉 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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This Week in EdTech, join Ben Kornell and special guest host Jomayra Herrera, Partner at Reach Capital, as they unpack the latest in edtech, AI, and education policy.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🤖 OpenAI’s new O3 "reasoning" model sparks AGI debate.
[00:07:14] 🏗️ OpenAI’s $500B Stargate Project aims to dominate AI infrastructure.
[00:16:49] 📱 TikTok shutdown and divest-or-ban law shake up digital learning.
[00:24:15] 🍎 U.S. schools add 121,000 staff in 2024 despite declining enrollment.
[00:31:12] 🎓 Biden cancels $4.5B in student debt and bans Ashford U CEO.
[00:38:00] 💰 Leeds Equity Partners acquires Learnosity, boosting AI-driven assessment.

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🎉 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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2024 was a remarkable year for EdTech, with advancements that redefined teaching, learning, and the role of technology in education. But what’s next?

In Part 2 of our year-end special, Alex and Ben invite a panel of visionary leaders from across the EdTech ecosystem to share their reflections on 2024 and predictions for 2025.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

• Jomayra Herrera, Partner at Reach Capital
• Amit Patel, Managing Director at Owl Ventures
• Ben Wallerstein, CEO & Co-Founder at Whiteboard Advisors
• John Higginson, Chief Technology Officer at Curriculum Associates
• Karl Rectanus, Chairperson, Industry Council at EDSAFE AI Alliance
• Andrew Goldman, EVP at HMH Labs

From the transformative power of AI to global innovation, workforce readiness, and the evolving funding landscape, these thought leaders bring invaluable perspectives to the table.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:23] 🤖 Jomayra on AI’s evolution: from experimentation to proven outcomes.
[00:07:00] 🌍 Amit explores global EdTech opportunities and demographic shifts.
[00:13:43] 📉 Ben Wallerstein on the impact of ESSER funding expiration in 2025.
[00:44:06] 📱 John highlights mobile learning’s dual role and voice AI advances.
[01:01:50] 🌎 Karl's bold predictions: leapfrogging global innovation in EdTech.
[01:03:08] ✍️ Andrew explains how generative AI meets high-quality content.

🎧 Want to hear Alex and Ben's reflections and predictions? Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1877869/episodes/16321195

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

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🎉 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.

Send us a text

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first Week in EdTech episode of 2025! Join hosts Ben Kornell and guest co-host Matt Tower as they dive into the biggest stories shaping the education technology landscape, from AI innovations to major edtech funding and cybersecurity challenges.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🌐 OpenAI introduces a feature enabling ChatGPT to handle reminders and to-dos.
[00:05:04] 🔥 LA schools face closures and damage as wildfires disrupt education.
[00:22:54] 🔐 PowerSchool data breach exposes student and staff data, raising cybersecurity concerns.
[00:29:55] 🎓 $4.2 billion in student loans canceled for 150,000 borrowers under Biden’s plan.
[00:41:44] 💼 Element451 secures $175M for its AI-first CRM and student engagement platform.

Plus, special guests:

[00:44:22] 🎙️ Emily Lai, VP of Learning Impact Measurement at Pearson, discusses how AI tools improve study habits & learning outcomes and the Pearson end-of-year AI report.
[00:56:15] 🎙️ Adele Smolansky, CEO of AI-Learners, explains how AI Learners is enhancing accessibility in education.
[01:06:42] 🎙️ Dominik Mate Kovacs, CEO at Colossyan, explores the future of AI-driven video and personalized learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

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• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
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🎉 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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Sara Leoni is the Founder and CEO of Ziplines Education, a career accelerator that partners with universities to deliver industry-recognized certificate courses that prepare professionals with the in-demand skills, knowledge and confidence for today’s tech-driven world. 

Jeff Sample was the Founder and CEO of Clicked, now the VP of Product for Ziplines Education. His background and unique perspectives as a transitioning Management Consultant and Adtech Executive led him to develop experiential learning products via work simulations to help close the work experience gap, and upskill tens of thousands of learners in tech adjacent career paths.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How Ziplines Education and Clicked are addressing the experience gap in career readiness.
2. Why experiential learning and real-world simulations are key to workforce preparation.
3. The importance of industry-recognized credentials and their integration with academic institutions.
4. Insights into the acquisition process and how it aligns two learner-focused companies.
5. The role of confidence and real-world artifacts in empowering learners to succeed in interviews and careers.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:07:39] How Ziplines Education partners with universities to integrate industry certifications for learners.
[00:15:08] Jeff on bridging the experience gap.
[00:28:44] The role of real-world tools like Salesforce, Tableau, and Google Analytics in preparing learners for jobs.
[00:37:08] Measuring learner success with confidence metrics and employer feedback.
[00:41:34] Sara and Jeff reflect on the acquisition process and lessons learned about aligning values and strategy.

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🎉 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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Dr. Yair Shapira is the founder and CEO of NovoDia, an EdTech company innovating educational publishing through AI technology. Previously, he founded and led Amplio Learning to significant growth before its acquisition. With expertise in technology and educational tools, Yair is dedicated to enhancing educational equity and efficiency. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and is an active contributor to the EdTech community.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How NovoDia is transforming educational publishing through AI-driven solutions.
2. The role of generative AI in creating dynamic, engaging, and adaptive learning materials.
3. Why current curriculum models fail to meet diverse classroom needs and how AI can fill the gaps.
4. How NovoDia enables districts and teachers to customize curricula to meet local and individual requirements.
5. What the future holds for AI-powered tools in education, from multimedia lessons to personalized learning experiences.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:26] Yair shares his journey from Amplio Learning to founding NovoDia.
[00:05:37] The unique challenges of using AI in education and meeting pedagogical rigor.
[00:11:01] How NovoDia addresses the mismatch between district-purchased curriculum and teacher needs.
[00:18:22] Customizing curricula with AI to support diverse student populations and regional standards.
[00:30:43] Enhancing engagement with multimedia tools and interactive content in classrooms.
[00:37:55] The evolving role of AI in education and NovoDia’s vision for the future.
[00:44:04] Ensuring pedagogical accuracy with AI systems and human SMEs.
[00:46:59] Resources and advice from Yair on staying ahead in the fast-moving EdTech space.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

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🎉 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.

Send us a text

Jonathan Katzman, Director of Product Management at YouTube Learning, drives initiatives that leverage educational content across school, work, and life. Before joining Google, he served as the founding Chief Product Officer of Minerva Project, a pioneering university and ed-tech company offering accredited degrees and innovative curriculum design. Jonathan’s career includes leadership roles in successful startups and major tech companies, showcasing his expertise in education and technology.

Lisa Gevelber, Founder of Grow with Google and CMO for the Americas Region at Google, leads the $1 billion initiative that has empowered over 10 million Americans with skills to advance their careers. She also created Google Career Certificates, which have enabled significant upward mobility for half a million global job seekers. Recognized by Forbes Future of Work 50 in 2022, Lisa is a champion for equity and inclusion, leading efforts like Google for Startups to support underrepresented founders worldwide.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How YouTube Learning is empowering creators and engaging learners globally.
2. The impact of Grow with Google and Career Certificates on workforce transformation.
3. How AI-driven tools are reshaping personalized learning and career training.
4. Insights into YouTube’s active learning features, including AI tutors and assessments.
5. The role of global partnerships in creating equitable access to education and jobs.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:19] Jonathan on YouTube Learning’s global reach and its role as “school” in many countries.
[00:10:11] How active learning tools like AI tutors and quizzes are transforming YouTube’s educational experience.
[00:22:05] Lisa shares the vision behind Grow with Google and its impact on millions of learners.
[00:31:24] Insights into Google Career Certificates as an alternative pathway to well-paying jobs.
[00:41:50] Discussion on AI's role in workforce training and economic mobility.
[00:54:32] The future of education: blending informal learning with credentialed pathways.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

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🎉 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.

Send us a text

Yossi Matias, Vice President of Google and Head of Google Research, leads groundbreaking efforts in foundational machine learning, quantum computing, and AI for societal impact in education, health, and climate. A world-renowned AI expert, Yossi has pioneered conversational AI, driven Google Search innovations, and launched transformative initiatives like AI for Social Good and Google for Startups Accelerator. His work focuses on leveraging AI to address global challenges and improve lives on a global scale.

Obum Ekeke, Head of Education Partnerships at Google DeepMind, champions equitable access to AI education and fosters diversity in the tech industry. An OBE recipient for his contributions to computing and inclusion, Obum has led initiatives that have reached millions of learners worldwide, including founding Google Educator Groups in over 60 countries. His mission is to prepare students and educators for the future by making AI knowledge accessible and impactful for all.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How Google Research is driving breakthroughs in generative AI and education.
2. The global impact of LearnLM and other AI-powered educational tools.
3. The role of AI in promoting equity and accessibility in education.
4. Insights into Google DeepMind’s Experience AI program and talent pipeline.
5. The future of personalized learning and AI literacy for students worldwide.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:19] Yossi on AI’s transformative potential in education, health, and climate.
[00:09:46] Obum shares how Experience AI empowers teachers and students globally.
[00:19:24] Discussion on LearnLM’s development and its focus on pedagogy.
[00:29:22] Insights into how AI is making personalized learning a reality.
[00:41:50] Reflections on the importance of equitable access to AI education.
[00:55:36] Envisioning a future where AI-driven tools enhance both teaching and learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
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• Sign 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.

Send us a text

Shantanu Sinha, VP & GM of Google for Education, leads the development of tools like Google Classroom and Read Along, serving over 150 million educators and students globally. Previously, as founding President and COO of Khan Academy, he championed free, personalized learning on a global scale. Shantanu combines deep expertise in computer science, math, and cognitive sciences from MIT with strategic consulting experience from McKinsey.

Jennie Magiera, Global Head of Education Impact at Google, is a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and advocate for equity in education. At Google, she focuses on elevating marginalized voices and creating empowering tools for teachers and learners. A White House Champion for Change and ISTE Impact Award Winner, Jennie brings extensive experience as a teacher, district leader, and digital learning innovator.

Steven Johnson, Editorial Director of NotebookLM and Google Labs, is a bestselling author of 14 books on innovation and technology, including Where Good Ideas Come From. An Emmy-winning television host and tech entrepreneur, Steven shapes tools that redefine learning and research while advocating for the power of collaboration in driving transformative ideas.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How AI enhances tools like Google Classroom and Read Along.
2. The impact of NotebookLM on personalized research and learning.
3. Creative ways educators worldwide are integrating AI into classrooms.
4. How AI supports teachers by saving time for deeper human connections.
5. The future of assessment and personalization with AI.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:19] Shantanu on AI in Google Classroom and teacher superpowers.
[00:09:46] Jennie shares inspiring AI use cases from global educators.
[00:19:24] Steven explains how NotebookLM is transforming research.
[00:29:22] Discussion on LearnLM and personalized pedagogy.
[00:41:50] Insights into NotebookLM’s podcast-style audio feature.
[00:55:36] How AI enables creativity and emotional engagement in learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
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• Sign 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.