Education has always been a big business, and according to The Data City, EdTech is no different.
In fact, The Data City reported that the EdTech sector has a turnover of £6.7bn currently, has received £5.4bn of investment and is set to grow at 12.0% per year. A booming industry.
What Is EdTech?
EdTech or educational technology, is a brand of tech designed to improve learning for children. In some instances, it might be a tool that is used in the classroom, in others, it could be a platform to help with exam study or revision.
In general though, EdTech is a catchall that encompasses any company that combines technology with learning techniques, helping people study and learn.
The EdTech sector has evolved massively in recent years, driven by some of the world’s most forward thinking entrepreneurs. Here we look at 10 people who are changing the education technology industry.
1. Ed Cooke – Memrise
Ed Cooke, co-founder of Memrise, has helped thousands of people learn a new language. His platform, Memrise uses memory learning techniques to improve knowledge and vocabulary retention.
Having himself published a book around mastering memory, his app puts his theories to the test. With over 65 million users, Memrise is an EdTech company helping more people learn languages worldwide.
2. Andrew Cohen – Brainscape
Andrew Cohen, the founder of Brainscape, has changed the way people learn using flashcards.
His app allows students to create and find flashcards around a specific topic, using them as a learning resource. Based on cognitive science principles, the app has a huge range of content – from languages to science and more.
3. Toby Mather – Lingumi
Toby Mather, is the CEO and Co-Founder at Lingumi. He decided to create it whilst learning Modern Languages at Oxford.
The company is making language learning easier for young children aged 2-12, giving them gamified ways to learn new languages.
This mix of play and learning means that children are not only engaged by the app, but enjoy it – allowing them to learn a new skill in the process.
4. George Burgess – Gojimo
George Burgess is the founder and CEO at Gojimo. An app that helps students prepare for exams through their revision app.
Covering GCSE and A levels, the app is filled with quizzes and practice tests designed to make the revision process easier. After growing the app to huge popularity, Burgess sold it to The Telegraph Media group.
5. Dr Mark Dixon – Sparx
Dr Mark Dixon, Founder of Sparx, is a suite of tools designed to help children improve in certain subjects.
Their products, Sparx Maths, Sparks Reader and Sparx Science, use AI to recommend personalised homework to help students improve.
Under his leadership, Sparx has helped thousands of children improve their online learning.
6. Saurav Chopra – 5mins
EdTech isn’t just about children, it’s about boosting learning in adults too. Saurav Chopra, founder of 5mins, has created a company that helps adults with corporate learning and development.
His platform is designed to overthrow long webinars and training sessions by delivering bite-sized learning through quick and easy to digest videos.
Since its launch, the company has gone from strength to strength re-defining corporate education.
7. Felix Ruano – Subject
Felix Ruano is the Co-Founder and CEO at Subject – formally known as Emile Learning.
The platform offers a number of courses to help high school students learn more effectively. It relies on the idea that since young people have grown up around digital content, they can also use it for learning. By promoting his video-based lessons, Ruano is helping more students succeed at school.
8. Gerard McBreen – Komodo Learning
Gerard McBreen is the CEO and founder at Komodo Learning, a platform that is helping children aged 4-11 with their maths.
The app is able to adjust the learning experience to the needs of each child, teaching them mathematics in short, targeted and easy to follow sessions.
By promoting practice and personalisation, McBreen has helped thousands of children get better at Maths.
9. Murray Morrison – Tassomai
Murray Morrison, the founder of Tassomai, created a platform to help students prepare for their exams.
A professed learning and revision expert, Morrison built the programme for his own students before expanding it. The app uses a quiz based approach, learning from the user and giving them personalised feedback. This helps them get a 1-1 education without needing to pay for expensive tutors.
10. Gauthier Van Malderen – Perlogo
Gauthier Van Malderen is the founder and CEO at Perlogo, a digital subscription app for textbooks.
As textbooks become more expensive, Gauthier has created an online library to help students access the texts they need anywhere in the world. The company now boasts over 83 employees and is widely used by students all around the world.
