Edtech Insiders

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, Edtech investment, the growing tech backlash, and the future of assessment.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:47] ChatGPT for Teens introduces new safety and learning features
[00:11:29] Generalized AI models raise new challenges for Edtech companies
[00:13:47] OpenAI partners with CodeAI on AI learning and youth safety
[00:17:07] Reach Capital launches a new $265M fund focused on early-stage companies
[00:23:32] B2B vs. B2C: New dynamics reshape Edtech investment
[00:25:12] Hugh Grant and Closed Screens Open Minds fuel the Edtech backlash
[00:27:46] Why Edtech needs to put education first and technology second

Plus, special guests:
[00:32:28] Sabine Wallis, General Manager of NWEA, on assessment, learning science, and using data to drive instruction. 

[00:51:23] Andy Rotherham and Marisa Mission, of Bellwether, on AI in education, EdTech quality, market sustainability, and designing for productive struggle.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Tony Wan is Head of Platform at Reach Capital and co-founder and former managing editor of EdSurge. Betsy Corcoran is a writer, speaker, serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of EdSurge who explores AI and learning through her work and podcast, Future Fluent.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How EdSurge helped shape the early edtech ecosystem.
2. Why edtech needs more honest and nuanced storytelling.
3. What the tech backlash gets right and where it misses the bigger picture.
4. Why teacher-turned-founders and school leaders are critical voices in edtech.
5. How AI can support education without becoming the focus itself.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:48] The origins of EdSurge and the need for an edtech “water cooler.”
[00:13:49] Why teacher-turned-founders deserve a bigger voice in the tech backlash.
[00:18:04] Starting with the “why” instead of treating technology as the solution.
[00:23:58] Tony on the legitimate concerns around screen time and edtech.
[00:26:23] Betsy on why edtech needs more honesty about what doesn’t work.
[00:34:01] Why humility and learning from failure matter in edtech.
[00:35:50] Tony on where AI can genuinely add value in education.
[00:47:51] Betsy on the questions edtech should keep asking: Why, when, and when not to use technology.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping educator confidence, tutoring, higher ed grading, AI models, education policy, and AI workforce development.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:47] Edtech Insiders heads to Teach For America’s 35th anniversary
[00:05:19] HMH survey shows educator AI adoption reaches 80%
[00:08:45] Varsity Tutors exits school-based tutoring
[00:11:46] What makes tutoring effective?
[00:13:00] MIT drops freshman grades as Harvard tightens grading
[00:15:06] AI reshapes academic integrity and assessment
[00:17:41] AI cheating accelerates competency-based learning
[00:19:52] Open vs. closed AI models heats up
[00:23:53] Could AI become a public utility?
[00:28:11] New benchmarks measure AI tutoring effectiveness

Plus, special guests:
[00:29:40] Reg Leichty, Founding Partner of Foresight Law + Policy, on screen time and AI regulation
[00:47:26] Mike Wales, Senior Director of AI Programs at CodePath, and Madison McCormick, CodePath leader, on AI apprenticeships and workforce development 

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Jomayra Herrera is a Partner at Reach Capital, an early-stage venture fund investing across learning, health, and work. Previously, she worked at Emerson Collective and Cowboy Ventures, investing in companies including Handshake, Guild, Contra, and Career Karma.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why Reach Capital is doubling down on pre-seed and early-stage investing with its new $265M Fund V.
2. How learning, health, and work intersect to create new opportunities for innovation.
3. What Jomayra looks for in exceptional founders, especially in the age of AI.
4. Why the strongest AI companies go beyond AI as a feature to create new capabilities and durable advantages.
5. How B2C-to-B2B models and school choice are creating new opportunities across education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:32] Reach Capital’s $265M Fund V and its renewed focus on pre-seed investing.
[00:06:28] Why Reach is choosing to go earlier rather than later.
[00:08:42] The intersection of learning, health, and work.
[00:16:02] The founder traits that matter most in the age of AI.
[00:24:47] What makes an AI company more than just an AI feature.
[00:33:14] Pathfinder, ESAs, and the changing education marketplace.
[00:39:06] Jomayra’s vision for the next 10 years of investing.
[00:44:24] Why strategic acquisitions and private equity remain the most common exit paths.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Joy Delizo-Osborne is President and CEO of Student Achievement Partners, where she works to improve instructional quality and connect evidence-based practices with curriculum and edtech. A former teacher, instructional coach, and principal, Joy brings more than 20 years of experience in education.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How AI can support and not replace teachers and students.
2. Why productive struggle still matters in AI-powered learning.
3. What districts should consider when evaluating AI tools.
4. How edtech can better fit into existing classroom practices.
5. Why student agency should remain at the center of AI use.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:40] Student Achievement Partners’ role in improving instructional quality
[00:07:37] Maintaining rigor and quality with AI-generated content
[00:18:25] Closing the gap between edtech tools and real-world outcomes
[00:24:27] Why edtech companies need to understand classroom realities
[00:29:07] Building AI around existing curriculum and teacher practice
[00:40:36] When should AI enter the learning process?
[00:47:06] Putting student agency at the center of AI

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping higher education, AI adoption, school technology policy, and the future of learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:13] Higher ed leadership turnover accelerates amid political, financial, and AI pressures
[00:11:00] OpenAI launches new AI tools for college students, professors, and K–12 educators
[00:17:27] OpenAI pushes deeper into higher ed with AI-powered academic workflows
[00:20:40] AI could reshape university research and accelerate scientific discovery
[00:23:55] AI-generated “slop” floods Teachers Pay Teachers
[00:25:41] Pew finds growing support for cell phone bans in schools
[00:28:39] AI cheating arms race continues as professor catches students using ChatGPT
[00:31:37] Students create the Students First Act to establish rules for AI in schools
[00:35:27] Student AI policies call for human oversight, transparency, and protections against false accusations

Plus, special guest:
[00:41:28] Janice Jackson executive director of the Aspen Institute's Education & Society program, on technology in schools, student voice, equity, trust, and the future of education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Edna Martinson is the Co-founder and COO of Boddle Learning, a gamified K–6 learning platform used by millions of students to build confidence in math, literacy, and science. She is passionate about combining great game design with research-backed learning experiences that teachers and students love.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Boddle was built to compete with video games.
2. How gamification drives learning and confidence.
3. What teachers want from classroom technology.
4. How AI is shaping Boddle's future.
5. The next evolution of personalized learning.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:18] How teachers fueled Boddle's growth.
[00:05:47] Designing games kids genuinely love.
[00:16:41] Why Boddle chose a 3D gaming experience.
[00:19:21] Evidence behind Boddle's learning impact.
[00:24:23] AI's role in content and personalization.
[00:33:20] Boddle's unique parent-funded model.
[00:41:50] The future of game-based learning.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, edtech investment, philanthropy, the future of work, and AI-powered learning.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:33] Bridges AI Summit brings district leaders together to discuss AI adoption, pilots, and edtech purchasing
[00:05:19] Imagi raises $4.5M with backing from OpenAI, Lovable, Will.i.am, Kahoot!, and ElevenLabs
[00:09:18] AI, cross-sector platforms, and portfolio consolidation drive edtech investment trends
[00:10:40] Gates Foundation leadership shakeup signals a new chapter for education philanthropy
[00:15:45] Gates Foundation and the future of philanthropy in an era of AI wealth
[00:20:30] OpenAI report explores how AI is expanding workers’ roles beyond traditional job boundaries
[00:21:00] OpenAI launches a campus leaders program to build student communities around AI tools
[00:31:00] Y Combinator calls for startups building personalized AI tutors
[00:37:35] Coursera invests $100M in a new AI-native learning company founded by Andrew Ng
[00:41:15] Time’s top edtech companies list sparks debate over how the industry is ranked

Plus, special guests:
[00:44:39] Kavitta Ghai, CEO and Co-founder of Nectir, on AI in higher ed and K–12, student outcomes, and privacy
[01:00:13] Aidan McDowell, Founder and CEO of UniqLearn, on personalized learning, career exploration, and student curiosity

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Inside Columbia's First EdTech Showcase, Alex Sarlin sits down with the founders and leaders behind the inaugural Columbia EdTech Showcase to explore the startups, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of learning from AI-powered discussion tools to health education, learning science, and content curation.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

[00:01:56] Pete Novak, Founder, Columbians in EdTech
[00:14:48] Dan Wang, Co-Founder, CAiSEY
[00:32:43] Kyleigh Sudlow, Lead Engineer, Puberry
[00:41:22] Andrew Cohen, Founder & CEO, Brainscape
[00:57:32] Kai Wright, Founder, Tangramio

Disclaimer: Columbians in EdTech is an independent community for individuals affiliated with Columbia University. It is not an official program of, endorsed by, or affiliated with Columbia University. For more information, visit ColumbiansInEdTech.org.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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.

Drew Bent leads Education at Anthropic, where he oversees education initiatives including Claude for Teachers. A former math teacher, Khan Academy engineer, and co-founder of Schoolhouse.world, Drew focuses on applying AI to improve teaching and learning.

Sandra Liu Huang is President of Learning Commons, where she leads the development of open AI datasets and learning science infrastructure for education. She previously held product leadership roles at Google, Facebook, and Quora.

💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode

1. Why Anthropic built Claude for Teachers exclusively for educators.
2. How Learning Commons grounds AI in standards, curriculum, and learning science.
3. The role of open datasets, AI skills, and shared infrastructure in improving educational AI.
4. How Claude integrates with leading edtech tools through new connectors.
5. What's next for Claude for Teachers, including district partnerships and future AI capabilities.

✨ Episode Highlights
[00:03:27] Why Anthropic chose to build AI for teachers first.
[00:05:50] How Learning Commons powers AI with standards and learning progressions.
[00:08:52] Inside Claude for Teachers' integrations with leading edtech platforms.
[00:14:41] Building open AI teaching skills and evaluation frameworks.
[00:17:26] How AI can support meaningful lesson differentiation.
[00:20:54] The vision for open educational AI infrastructure.
[00:22:42] What's next for Claude for Teachers, including district partnerships and research.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

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.