Matchmaking: Ed tech and investment
10 June, 2021, 14:30-16:30 BST, Virtual event
Helping female ed tech entrepreneurs by connecting them to investors
The education sector has been forced to very quickly adapt to the challenges of Covid-19. Historically, less than 4% of overall expenditure in education was allocated to digital investment. While the growth of ed tech was clear prior to the pandemic, Covid-19 proved to be the forcing function needed for educational institutions to embrace and create new digital technologies.
Despite a boom in educational digital capabilities, female entrepreneurs wanting to start up a business receive less funding than those headed by men at every stage of their journey (according to the Rose Review). Women launch businesses with 53% less capital on average than men, are less aware of funding options and are less likely to take on debt to grow their business.
Our panellists discuss the key barriers that have an impact on female ed tech entrepreneurs and explore the solutions that will help women pursue their business aspirations, whether to start-up or scale-up. The conversation will examine the evolving ed tech market, how education has been reshaped by Covid-19 and what it means for future education delivery models.
Panel 1: Connecting investors with female ed tech entrepreneurs and start-ups
This panel discuss the investment landscape for female ed tech entrepreneurs. Our first priority will be to fully understand the barriers which hold women back from starting or scaling businesses and how investors can support more female-led initiatives.
Our panellists analyse:
- Why there is still a significant gap in funding levels for women wanting to grow and expand their business
- How, as a sector, we can make entrepreneurship more accessible for women and increase the support locally, through relatable and accessible mentors and networks
- What investors are looking for and how the market has changed through Covid-19 and,
- Underpinning the challenges facing women and how investors can support a shift in gender diversity.
Moderator: Briony Richter, editor, Nursery Management Today
Panellists:
- Joseph Cortas, partner, Progressia Education
- Sandrine Henton, investment director, Educate Global
- Nic Newman, partner, Emerge Education
- Emma Sinclair MBE, co-founder, EnterpriseAlumni
- Karri Vuori, partner, finnCap Cavendish
Panel 2: The evolving ed tech landscape
Panel two explore the changes in learning and education in regards to ed tech. Covid-19 has sent shockwaves across the world and adapting to digital has been a priority.
Panellists discuss:
- How the pandemic has boosted virtual learning and why it is here to stay
- The significant changes across the market and how institutions are responding
- The benefits of embracing digital technologies in innovative ways to expand educational capabilities
- How the sector can make educational resources more accessible and,
- The long-lasting opportunities that digital education solutions will have.
Moderator: Briony Richter, editor, Nursery Management Today
Panellists:
- Rebecca Annand, co-founder & managing partner, Infinite Learning
- Shameema Parveen, co-founder, Edutech Middle East
- Caroline Wright, director general, BESA
