Evan Barry

NEW: Nectir, an edtech startup, has raised $6.3 million in seed funding led by Long Journey Ventures, along with Entrada Ventures, Precursor Ventures, and Behind Genius Ventures. https://lnkd.in/eZ6awWSn Kavitta Ghai Jordan Long Cyan Banister #EdTech #AI #fundingnews #K12 #HigherEd

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📢 2024 State EdTech Trends: Key Highlights The State Education Technology Directors Association (SETDA) has released its third annual State EdTech Trends report, discussing critical challenges and opportunities in edtech. 1. AI in Education Gaining Momentum States are increasingly supporting the responsible use of AI in schools, with 14% already having AI initiatives, up from 2% in 2023. 2. Cybersecurity is a Top Concern Cybersecurity remains the number one edtech priority, with rising concerns about AI-related vulnerabilities. However, fewer leaders believe their states provide adequate funding. 3. Funding Challenges as Pandemic Aid Expires With pandemic funds ending in October 2024, state leaders are anxious about maintaining edtech and connectivity, especially as home access remains a significant unmet need. 4. More Support for Equitable Edtech Needed While states are investing in edtech, only 38% provide guidance on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), highlighting the need for more inclusive practices. As the 2024-25 school year unfolds, School Device Coverage is here to help schools maintain reliable device coverage and ensure students stay connected to the technology they need. Together, we can create equitable, tech-rich learning environments. 📲 #Cybersecurity #SchoolDeviceCoverage #DeviceInsurance #Chromebook #iPad #Laptop #EdTech #SchoolDistrict #AI #FutureofEducation #Insurance #AIinEducation #EducationalTechnology #ChatGPT

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Keys to Catching an EdTech Unicorn 🦄 • Too much investment going into incremental vs. transformational change - only 7% categorized as "transformative" EdTech in 2020 • EdTech struggles to attract VC funding due to challenges selling to risk-averse districts favoring incumbents • More capital needed for diverse founders closest to problems, innovative use of student data, and inclusive product design The EdTech industry is ripe for disruption, but realizing billion-dollar "unicorn" potential will require redirecting investment toward truly transformative solutions led by diverse innovators. #Education #EarlyYears #Earlychildhoodeducation #Childcare #Nurseries #Preschools #Edtech #K12Education #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #ImpactInvesting https://lnkd.in/d9ipZxUH

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We’ve compiled our data and research from our 2022 US EdTech Safety Benchmark onto Tableau for easy viewing. 🙌 Search through the sample set of school districts by state to get an overview of the EdTech safety risks in the link below 👇 : https://lnkd.in/eHzkZjH8

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At Instructure, we believe impactful #EdTech begins with a solid foundation: high-quality evidence and a strong logic model! 💡 Discover how we partner with edtech companies 💻 to create ESSA Level 4 aligned logic models that drive deeper research and open doors to federal funding. 👉 Dive in here: https://lnkd.in/gfPzQRne #TechTransformationTuesday #LearnPlatform #CanvasLMS

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Is Your EdTech Product District-Ready? Review this checklist to find out... A winning curriculum needs a tech platform that opens District doors. Meet the ever-growing list of District requirements with Content2Classroom. How does your current solution stack up? With C2C, you gain a partner focused on meeting District technology requirements in a cost-effective way so you can focus on delivering a best-in-class curriculum solution. https://lnkd.in/ec3i2gGz

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The 2024 State EdTech Trends report, released by the State Education Technology Directors Association (SETDA), highlights the top edtech priorities identified by state policymakers, including the need to address the impact of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) in K-12 education. Key Takeaways • The 2024 State EdTech Trends report explores the edtech priorities of state policymakers. • The report focuses on how state education agencies are adapting to the increased use of technology and new innovations. • The report analyzes data collected from 46 states and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). • The report includes spotlights on state initiatives related to cybersecurity, equitable use of edtech tools, and AI policies in education. • The report emphasizes the importance of addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies like AI. • The report highlights the evolving role of state education agencies in navigating the digital landscape. https://bit.ly/3XmVOgp

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🔮 Predicting the Future of K-12: Mastering Enrolment Forecasts Accurate enrolment forecasting is crucial for effective resource allocation and strategic planning in K-12 education. Our latest article delves into the importance of this practice and explores various forecasting methods and techniques. Key takeaways: 🔍 Understanding different forecasting techniques 📈 Factors influencing enrolment trends 🤝 Importance of stakeholder collaboration Discover how precise enrolment forecasting can transform your district's planning process and improve resource allocation. Read our full article to learn more! https://lnkd.in/gsFrttpf #EdChat #EdFin #EdFinChat #SchoolBusinessOfficial #SchoolPlanning

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FETC Pitchfest is an opportunity for #edtech startups seeking market exposure and validation, investment, customers, and strategic partnerships to showcase their innovative products and services. #Pitchfest 2025 will select five education technology startups for each of the following six categories: Coding, Robotics & STEM: Technologies that introduce and/or facilitate the learning of computer programming, science, robotics, technology, engineering, and mathematics concepts and experiences. Early Childhood Learning: Technology that serves children in the preschool years and is designed to improve learning and future academic performance and social-emotional learning. Immersive Tech: Technologies that create distinct experiences by merging the physical world with digital or simulated reality. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are two principal types of immersive technologies. Language Learning: Technology that supports students' proficiency in a targeted language through interactive, meaningful, and cognitively engaging learning experiences. Social-emotional Learning: Technologies that help students learn and apply social, emotional, and related skills, attitudes, behaviors, and values. This includes thoughts, feelings, and actions in ways that enable them to succeed. Wild Card: Technologies that do not fit squarely in other categories but fundamentally solve education-related issues in new and innovative ways. Apply Today: https://lnkd.in/ephgp_rs The application process closes October 11

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🚀 Now is the Time for K-12 EdTech Businesses to Hire! 🚀 Attention K-12 EdTech leaders! If you've been contemplating expanding your team, now is the opportune moment to seize the day. Here’s why: ✨Strike While the Iron is Hot: As the school year draws to a close schools are gearing up for crucial decisions regarding their tech solutions for the upcoming academic term. It’s the perfect window to schedule those essential meetings. 🎇Stay Ahead of the Curve: In a rapidly evolving industry, staying ahead of the competition is paramount. And guess what? Your competitors are already ramping up their teams to meet the demands of the season. Don’t fall behind. Ensure that you remain at the forefront and get the best talent. In conclusion, the time is busy in K-12 EdTech space. If you are thinking of hiring reach out and we can advise 🎓💡 #EdTech #HiringNow

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We have spent too much time and money on education interventions that don’t work. Despite hundreds of new edtech companies and billions of private and public funds flowing in each year, our educators and students remain sorely underserved. With budgets tightening and imminent federal policy changes, there is simply too much at stake to continue supporting companies and policies that don’t make a tangible difference. That’s why, at Learn Capital, I’ve helped develop the Learning Impact Index (LII): a robust way to measure the impact of education interventions and channel resources accordingly. The LII provides a standardized framework to translate company data into clear outcomes– like cost savings or learner lifetime earning increases as a result of interventions. I’m hopeful that the LII will serve not just as an outcomes ROI tool, but as an accountability mechanism for key education decision-makers to deliver on our mission and be relentless in our service to learners and educators alike. This week, I presented the LII at The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity conference panel on Progress in Education Reform. If you’re curious about how the LII works in specific contexts and the kinds of impact it can measure, check out our joint white paper here: https://lnkd.in/d2huB2n6 I’ve also shared more about the LII in our newsletter, Venture to Learn. Would love for you to check it out and subscribe! https://lnkd.in/dgRiSNkR Thank you to Matthew Barry Charles Miele and Dan Lips for the amazing collaboration here!

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The new 2024 EdTech App Report delivers data insights that allow both IT leaders and school administrators to benchmark their digital learning acquisition and evaluation processes. In turn, those leaders become better equipped to make informed decisions concerning district data privacy and security, budgeting, and license adoption. Learn more w/ "Optimize EdTech ROI with the 2024 EdTech App Report," new on the Lightspeed Systems #EdTech blog from Klaire Marino (Albright) ~ https://lnkd.in/dvGWABPq #K12Education

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How do you define your higher ed institution’s success? 🏫 In a recent blog post for UPCEA, our Sales & Marketing Director Paula French, unpacked Search Influence’s most valuable metric of higher ed marketing success — cost per inquiry (CPI). 📊 💡 Learn what CPI involves and how we created higher education's first CPI benchmark: https://hubs.ly/Q02-XLGw0. . . . #CostPerInquiry #HigherEdMarketing #SearchInfluence #OptimizePotential

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ICYMI: Procurify has a new "Charter School Spend Management Benchmark Report " 📈📗📉 that compiles key spending data 🔍 and trends from almost 60 charter schools. Read our top takeaways💡from the report below! https://lnkd.in/guZz284a #charterschools #spendmanagement #education #financialefficiency #funding #spending

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Check out how teachers are integrating robotics into #ELA and #Math lessons with #VEXRobotics 123! Head over to the VEX PD+ Professional Learning Community (PLC) to read more about this: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gDCn8vuK

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Early STEM career awareness drives future success for students–and the economy https://hubs.li/Q02ZkcFd0 We have more than 100 edtech vendors in GG4L's EdCuration catalog that focus on STEM and STEAM - simply filter your search for that category and discover ways to introduce STEM to your students. https://hubs.li/Q02ZkdrJ0

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The Stoke Space team in Seattle has built a rocket company faster than many people can build software. Morgan Beller breaks down how this is helping them capture a huge opportunity: https://lnkd.in/gc5jv2-c 

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Last night's Technology Association of Oregon panel discussion on raising capital for AI ventures was full of interesting takeaways. The event brought together leading PNW VCs, CEOs, and funders to share their perspectives and best practices. Here's what you need to know: ➡ The AI/ML space is rapidly evolving, presenting huge opportunities for startups tackling real business problems. VCs are actively seeking out the most ambitious and disruptive companies in this domain. ➡ Having an "unfair advantage" is key - whether that's proprietary data sets, unique domain expertise, or unparalleled access to customers. AI ventures need strong differentiation to stand out. ➡ Build relationships early with VCs, even before you're ready to raise. Their insights and connections can accelerate your journey. The PNW venture ecosystem is highly collaborative and accessible. ➡ Don't be deterred by the perceived lack of local funding. Great companies with compelling visions will get funded, period. Leverage the PNW's strengths in developer/engineering talent. ➡ Recognize and proactively address the potential downsides of AI - from data privacy to model bias. Building responsibly is both an obligation and an opportunity. ➡ Move fast, be bold. Raising capital is always hard, but fortune favors the brave in this space. With the right team, tech and traction, you can build a world-changing business here in the PNW. Thanks to the fantastic panelists Diane Fraiman (Voyager Capital), Geoff Harris (Flying Fish), Jon Maroney (OVF), Chris Sestito (Hidden Layer), Jon Turow (Madrona) for sharing their insights, and to Kristy Edwards for moderating!

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