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Roosh X is an investment arm of Roosh Investment Group.

Nathan Maynard is the CEO and Founder of HighFive, a company using mobile technology to foster connected school communities and reduce recidivism for negative classroom behaviors. With over 11 years of experience as a youth worker, teacher, and school administrator, Nathan co-authored the best-selling book "Hacking School Discipline," and is a global thought leader in reimagining discipline practices in education.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Highfive uses technology and empathy to reshape school discipline.
• The importance of creating a sense of belonging to reduce negative behaviors.
• Nathan's journey from youth worker to edtech entrepreneur and thought leader.
• The impact of AI on real-time behavioral interventions in schools.
• How Highfive is expanding its reach across the U.S. with new partnerships and funding.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:46] Introduction to Nathan Maynard and Highfive’s mission to transform school discipline.
[00:03:34] Building connected school communities to reduce negative behaviors.
[00:05:43] How real-time technology supports teachers in managing discipline
[00:08:13] From "Hacking School Discipline" to scaling Highfive’s impact
[00:21:26] Using AI to address systemic bias and improve behavioral insights
[00:24:34] Highfive’s expansion strategy across key U.S. states.
[00:27:55] Partnership with Roosh X to support growth and mental health initiatives.
[00:34:22] Promoting positive behavior with Highfive's virtual "high fives" system.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

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🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest in education technology, AI developments, and key edtech funding moves.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:53] 🗽 Recap of New York EdTech Week, highlighting key themes and vibrant energy from the event.
[00:04:37] 📈 Discussion on the rise of micro companies, with lower barriers leading to a surge in niche startups.
[00:12:36] 🤝Convergence between philanthropy and EdTech, focusing on how partnerships can drive sustainable models.
[00:17:28] 💰 PhysicsWallah's $400-500 million IPO plans could reshape EdTech, positioning it to overtake Byju's as India's leader.
[00:21:22] 🤖 Controversial use of AI in Nevada to reclassify at-risk students, sparking debates on resource allocation.
[00:22:07] ⚖️ Broader implications of AI in decision-making, raising questions about existing policies and resource management.

Plus special guest:

[00:25:12] 🎙️ Shauntel Garvey, Co-Founder and General Partner at Reach Capital

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
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• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Brian Shaw is the CEO of Discovery Education, a global leader in educational technology that reaches over 45 million students and 4.5 million educators across 100+ countries. With a background in finance and corporate strategy from his roles at Red Ventures and Time Warner Cable, Brian has extensive experience in M&A and business integration. At Discovery Education, he drives innovation through acquisitions and partnerships, delivering impactful digital learning solutions.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Discovery Education builds lasting school partnerships
• AI-powered tools transforming assessments for teachers
• Career Connect bridging classrooms and real-world careers
• The role of acquisitions in driving innovation and growth
• Adapting to budget shifts and consolidation in EdTech

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:13] Brian Shaw explains Discovery’s mission to drive learning outcomes
[00:03:47] Discussion on interoperability with school systems
[00:05:25] EdTech consolidation and how Discovery stays ahead
[00:08:59] AI assessment generator making custom assessments easy
[00:11:25] Career Connect helping students explore careers early
[00:15:01] Identifying the right companies to acquire
[00:19:35] The importance of communication after acquisitions
[00:23:02] Advice for startups building relationships with Discovery

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
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• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
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🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Auditi Chakravarty is CEO of AERDF (the Advanced Education Research and Development Fund). AERDF applies Advanced Inclusive R&D to find potentially transformative teaching and learning solutions that can scale, centering on the assets, strengths, and needs of Black and Latino learners and all learners experiencing poverty. Auditi also chairs the Board of Bottom Line, a national college access and success organization, and is a venture partner with LearnLaunch Accelerator. A former high school English teacher, Auditi holds a BA in English and M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How AERDF models inclusive research by engaging students, educators, and researchers throughout the design process.
• Why centering Black, Latino, and low-income learners in R&D creates solutions that benefit all students.
• How AERDF’s three programs—EF+Math, Reading Reimagined, and Assessment for Good—are driving impact in education.
• The challenges of breaking silos between research, practice, and product development in education.
• The potential of AI to accelerate equity in education—and why it’s crucial to align it with evidence-based practices.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:01:51] Introduction to AERDF’s mission inspired by DARPA’s innovation model
[00:03:58] Centering Black, Latino, and low-income learners in R&D for solutions that benefit all students
[00:09:45] Building cross-sector collaboration to bridge gaps between research and practice
[00:22:22] Teachers feel ownership when involved in the co-design process
[00:30:25] Why edtech solutions must align with evidence to serve underserved communities effectively
[00:46:53] Creating an ecosystem of funders to support risk-taking and innovation in education
[00:48:31] AI as an accelerant for good or bad, depending on how it is used and supported by evidence

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

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• Sign up for the

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Stephen Jull was the COO/CFO and co-founder of GeoGebra GmbH (acquired by BYJU’S in 2021), and a limited partner at Emerge Education. With a PhD from Cambridge and over two decades of experience in EdTech, Stephen has led transformative projects in mathematics, STEM education, and AI-driven learning at a global scale. He is also the former interim CEO of Epic! and a dedicated advisor to high-growth EdTech startups.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How AI, human tutors, and learning communities can reshape the outdated education system.
• The role of technology in addressing teacher shortages, especially in STEM fields.
• Insights on creating inclusive AI to support neurodiverse learners.
• Key takeaways from Stephen’s experience building GeoGebra into a global education powerhouse.
• How emerging technologies like AI are set to revolutionize global education systems.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:22] Stephen Jull on the need for personalized learning to update outdated education systems.
[00:03:31] Stephen’s journey from teaching in remote Canada to founding GeoGebra.
[00:06:54] Lessons from GeoGebra's growth and advice for EdTech founders
[00:11:10] Insights into BYJU'S acquisition and its impact on global EdTech
[00:12:50] AI, human tutors, and learning communities transforming education
[00:15:32] The importance of inclusive AI for neurodiverse learners.
[00:21:26] Global leaders and regions driving AI innovation in education.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Katie Kurtz is Managing Director and Global Head of Youth and Learning at YouTube where she is responsible for developing the ecosystem to engage, inform, and educate kids, teens, and adults. Katie joined YouTube in 2019 after serving as Chief Product Officer at Noodle Partners, an online program manager designing and building fully online degree programs for universities. Previously she was Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager for Higher Education at Cengage Learning. Prior to that Katie was Vice President of Business Development at adaptive learning pioneer Knewton, where she led the platform's partnership strategy for three years.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How YouTube has become one of the largest learning platforms globally.
• The new educational features on YouTube, including quizzes, key concepts, and AI conversational tutors.
• Insights into YouTube’s Study Hall program, allowing students to earn college credits.
• The delicate balance between entertainment and education that creators must maintain.
• The future of AI and machine learning in shaping YouTube’s educational experiences.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:32] Katie Kurtz discusses her career path from Knewton to YouTube
[00:05:29] The rise of YouTube as one of the largest global learning platforms
[00:06:29] New educational tools on YouTube, including quizzes and AI-driven tutors.
[00:10:16] Study Hall: YouTube’s program helping students earn college credits.[00:18:06] YouTube’s “Player for Education” and its benefits for teachers and classrooms.
[00:21:31] The role of AI in transforming education on YouTube.
[00:24:02] Katie reflects on YouTube's responsibility as a leading educational platform.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest in education technology, AI developments, and key edtech funding moves.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:05:12] 👩‍🏫 OpenAI raises $6.5B and launches OpenAI Academy
[00:09:05] 📚 Google’s $120M AI Education Fund and NotebookLM tools
[00:15:03] 🦜 Duolingo’s AI strategy and record stock prices
[00:22:05] 📉 Udemy lays off hundreds and shifts to lower-cost regions
[00:25:40] 💰 Prof Jim raises $1.5M to expand AI-generated video content
[00:29:13] 🤖 AI-generated celebrity videos teaching math and science
[00:37:16] 💼 David Banks resigns as NYC Schools Chancellor
[00:45:11] 💸 TEAMology raises $1.2M for mental health; Hello Wonder raises $2.1M for safe browsing

Plus special guest:

[00:52:00] 🎙️ Jason Palmer, Former Democratic Presidential Candidate & Co-Founder of TOGETHER!, on education reform, AI, and the future of learning.

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Oliver Page is the Co-founder & CEO at CyberNut. Starting his journey as a teenage founder of NutKase Accessories, Oliver scaled the business to 60 countries before transitioning to cybersecurity. Now, with CyberNut, he focuses on providing schools with gamified, easy-to-use cybersecurity training. He is also an Angel Investor, and Startup Advisor.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Why schools are increasingly targeted by cyberattacks.
2. The real cost of ransomware attacks on schools.
3. How phishing emails are exploiting vulnerabilities in education.
4. Key strategies for implementing cybersecurity training in schools.
5. The role of AI in the future of school cybersecurity.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Introduction and Oliver Page’s journey from EdTech to Cybersecurity
[00:02:45] Shocking statistics: phishing and ransomware attacks in schools
[00:07:12] Why traditional cybersecurity solutions aren’t working for schools
[00:10:50] How CyberNut’s training helps schools avoid cyberattacks
[00:16:20] The role of AI and evolving cyber threats
[00:20:00] What makes an effective cybersecurity solution for schools
[00:27:30] Best practices for protecting schools from ransomware
[00:33:15] How phishing training can improve school cybersecurity
[00:39:00] The future of personalized cybersecurity training in education

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Tal Havivi is the Managing Director of R&D at ASCD + ISTE, focusing on initiatives to improve the health and effectiveness of the EdTech market. He leads research around high-quality EdTech design, programs focused on improving evaluation processes in school systems, and supports EdTech providers. Previously, he led Education Strategy at Amazon Business focused on improving education procurement. He also has experience working at edtech startups and in K-12 administration.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How the role of evidence in EdTech has evolved over the last decade and why it’s more critical than ever.
2. The importance of teacher usability in EdTech tools and how it impacts learning outcomes.
3. What ISTE and ASCD’s initiatives are doing to create a more rigorous evaluation framework for EdTech products.
4. The five quality indicators used to assess EdTech solutions: Usability, Interoperability, Accessibility, Data Privacy, and Research Basis.
5. How EdTech providers can bridge the gap between research and practical application in schools.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Introduction to Tal Havivi and his role at ASCD & ISTE.
[00:02:59] The coalition behind EdTech’s five quality indicators.
[00:05:41] How evidence-based EdTech has evolved post-pandemic
[00:09:11] Why teacher usability is crucial for EdTech success.
[00:15:55] ISTE’s 2025 plan to prioritize validated EdTech vendors.
[00:19:37] Challenges in bridging research and practical EdTech solutions.
[00:29:38] The future of EdTech evaluation and quality standards.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Send us a text

Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new VC investments and edtech reports.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:16] 🧠 OpenAI’s New Reasoning Model - ChatGPT o1 (Strawberry)
[00:07:20] 📚 AI's Role in Education - Practical Use Cases
[00:14:03] 👩‍💻 Common Sense Media Report on AI Use Among Teens: 70% of teens are using generative AI, with disparities in how different demographics use the technology
[00:17:42] 🏫 Schooling in America Report - Declining Parent Trust: 64% of parents believe K-12 education is heading in the wrong direction, driven by safety concerns and tech gaps
[00:24:51] 💡 Owl Ventures leads a $6.9M investment in Brisk Teaching
[00:33:40] 📈 AI Optimism in Schools - Clever Report: Teachers' concerns about AI making their jobs harder drop from 48% to 18% in the last year.
[00:37:15] 💸 AllHere Files for Bankruptcy

Plus special guests:

[00:41:22] 🎙️ Abby Coyle and Katie Gracey, Co-founders of ClassBank discuss how ClassBank teaches financial literacy through a digital school currency system and their recent $1M pre-seed funding.

📢 ClassBank is Hiring! They're looking for a School Partnerships Lead to help expand their impact in classrooms across the country. Check out the role here.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

• Follow our Podcast on:
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
• Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
• Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

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.

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.

Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.