Edtech Insiders

Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell

At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.

  1. The Future of Museum Learning with Deborah Howes

    HÁ 1 DIA

    The Future of Museum Learning with Deborah Howes

    Send us a text 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: How AI is transforming museum archives and accessibility.Why authenticity and trust matter in EdTech collaborations.The power of open-access museum data for global learning.How museum teaching methods can inspire better AI tutors.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 PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign 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.

    1h8min
  2. Week in EdTech 10/1/25: OpenAI’s Sora 2 Transforms Learning, Anthology Files for Bankruptcy, Code.org Launches, LingoKids & Outsmart Funding, and More! Feat. Sari Factor & Jason Fournier of Imagine Learning and Caleb Hicks of SchoolAI

    HÁ 5 DIAS

    Week in EdTech 10/1/25: OpenAI’s Sora 2 Transforms Learning, Anthology Files for Bankruptcy, Code.org Launches, LingoKids & Outsmart Funding, and More! Feat. Sari Factor & Jason Fournier of Imagine Learning and Caleb Hicks of SchoolAI

    Send us a text 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 PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign 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.

    1h38min
  3. Building Belonging Through Games: Social Cipher’s Mission for Neurodivergent Youth with Lucy Stevens and Vanessa Castañeda Gill

    8 DE OUT.

    Building Belonging Through Games: Social Cipher’s Mission for Neurodivergent Youth with Lucy Stevens and Vanessa Castañeda Gill

    Send us a text 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 Using games to build belonging and self-advocacy for neurodivergent studentsAuthentic representation and storytelling in SEL game designInsights teachers and therapists gain from playtestingThe impact of a majority-neurodivergent team on product and missionConnecting 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 PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech InsidThis 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.

    54min
  4. Inside CoGuide: Built by 11-Year-Old and 19-Year-Old Innovators Transforming Classrooms with AI

    6 DE OUT.

    Inside CoGuide: Built by 11-Year-Old and 19-Year-Old Innovators Transforming Classrooms with AI

    Send us a text 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: How a teacherpreneur and a student founder teamed up to build CoGuideWhy AI facilitation goes beyond lesson planning to live classroom discussionsHow Vision OS tracks participation and supports teachers with actionable dataThe balance between teacher augmentation and student privacyWhere 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 PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign 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.

    38min
  5. Week in Edtech 9/24/25: AI Tutors Under Scrutiny, Gallup Shows K-12 Trust Collapse, CZI Launches Learning Commons, Phone Bans Rise, Higher Ed Struggles, and More! Feat. Jamie Candee of Edmentum & Nick Chen of PlayMath.org

    3 DE OUT.

    Week in Edtech 9/24/25: AI Tutors Under Scrutiny, Gallup Shows K-12 Trust Collapse, CZI Launches Learning Commons, Phone Bans Rise, Higher Ed Struggles, and More! Feat. Jamie Candee of Edmentum & Nick Chen of PlayMath.org

    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 PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign 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.

    1h25min
  6. Global EdTech Prize 2025: What the World’s Most Promising Solutions Teach Us

    1 DE OUT.

    Global EdTech Prize 2025: What the World’s Most Promising Solutions Teach Us

    Send us a text 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: Why educators (not investors) choose the winnersHow AI, AR, and VR expand access to learningInnovation across Brazil, Nigeria, India, MENA, and UkraineHow schools and governments are becoming edtech leadersThe 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 [01:15:37] 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 PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign 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.

    1h57min
  7. Transforming Screen Time into Learning Time with Nurture

    30 DE SET.

    Transforming Screen Time into Learning Time with Nurture

    Send us a text Julie Stewart and Scott Stewart, award-winning creators behind global children’s shows for Disney, Netflix, and Sesame Workshop, co-founded Nurture with serial entrepreneur Roger Egan, former CEO of RedMart, and learning expert Musa Roshdy, a Minerva University alum and advisor at Transcend Network, to build future-ready skills through immersive play. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Nurture turns screen time into active learningWhy story and humor drive deeper engagementHow AI enables adaptive, personalized playThe power of using beloved characters for learningWhy fun and learning should never be separate✨ Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] Julie Stewart on kids becoming heroes inside immersive stories [00:02:30] Roger Egan’s shift from e-commerce to early childhood learning [00:09:30] Scott Stewart on humor and engagement as core learning tools [00:16:00] Julie Stewart on AI and the Model Context Protocol for storytelling [00:24:00] The team debates AI tutors with personality vs. personality-free chatbots [00:33:00] Musa Roshdy on preventing “learned helplessness” from childhood [00:45:00] Nurture’s strategy to partner with iconic children’s brands [00:50:00] Breaking the taboo that fun and learning can’t coexist 😎 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 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.

    54min
  8. Future-Proofing Education: AI, Quantum Tech, and Career Pathways with Digital Promise CEO, Jean-Claude Brizard

    29 DE SET.

    Future-Proofing Education: AI, Quantum Tech, and Career Pathways with Digital Promise CEO, Jean-Claude Brizard

    Send us a text Jean-Claude Brizard is President and CEO of Digital Promise, a global, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focused on accelerating innovation in education. He is the former Chief Executive of Chicago Public Schools and Superintendent of Rochester, NY. Previously, he spent 21 years with the NYC Department of Education, serving as Regional Superintendent for 100+ schools and Executive Director for 400 secondary schools. He also served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leading strategies to close racial and economic achievement gaps and supporting charter school growth. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Digital Promise’s focus on blending learning sciences, technology, and practiceBalancing national innovation with classroom realitiesThe impact of AI, quantum computing, and emerging tech on educationPreparing students for adaptable career pathways, not just jobsCollaboration between philanthropy, government, and nonprofits to drive change✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:20] Digital Promise’s mission: teaching, learning, pedagogy, and assessment [00:05:39] Strategic agility: linking national strategy with classroom practice [00:07:28] Using a logic model to guide initiatives and goals [00:09:53] Preparing schools for AI, quantum computing, and future tech [00:13:10] Career pathways that foster adaptability over specific jobs [00:16:11] Philanthropy vs. government: roles in education funding [00:19:05] Digital Promise certifications for edtech founders [00:22:28] Back-to-school advice: building coherent instructional systems 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow EThis 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.

    27min
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Sobre

At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.

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