Top 15 Startup Competitions for EdTech Startups in South America in 2025
As the EdTech landscape continues to evolve, 2025 promises to be a dynamic year for startups in South America. Numerous competitions will provide opportunities for showcasing innovation, networking with industry leaders, and gaining necessary funding for growth. Here’s a detailed list of the Top 15 Startup Competitions for EdTech in South America for 2025.
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1. South Summit Brazil Startup Competition
When: April 9-11, 2025
Where: Porto Alegre, Brazil
Focus: Open to startups from any country or stage, including EdTech.
Benefits: Participants gain global visibility, high-level networking, potential investment opportunities, media coverage, and mentoring support.
Application Deadline: January 23, 2025
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2. Global Startup Awards - Latin America
When: Nominations open December 1, 2024 - May 15, 2025
Focus: Recognizes top startups and innovators in Latin America, including EdTech categories.
Benefits: Offers regional and global recognition, networking opportunities, and collaboration paths. Winners advance to a global stage.
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3. Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle
When: January 13-23, 2025
Focus: Tech-driven, scalable companies, with EdTech having a chance to qualify.
Format: 2-minute pitches during semi-finals and 3-minute pitches in finals.
Prizes: Win tickets to the Startup Grind Conference in Silicon Valley.
4. Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship
Description: Aimed at improving education through innovation, targeted at South Africa but relevant for entrepreneurs in South America.
Start Date: Early April 2025
Benefits: Provides funding, mentorship, and market research.
Application Deadline: December 8, 2024
5. SXSW EDU Launch Competition
When: March 3-6, 2025
Where: Austin, Texas, USA
Eligibility: Early-stage EdTech companies with sustainable business models.
Awards: Including Launch Award, Impact Award, and Community Choice Award.
6. Building Latam Fest Pitch Competition
Description: Focuses on startups providing solutions for the Building industry, which could extend to EdTech applications for construction training.
Focus: Solving challenges related to building materials and construction.
7. Tech of Tomorrow Startup Competition
Focus: Early-stage tech startups, where EdTech solutions can qualify.
Timeline: Applications close on January 31, 2025, with public voting from February 3 - March 5.
Prizes: Winners get a free booth at the Tech of Tomorrow conference.
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8. District Administration's Top EdTech Products of the Year
Focus: Recognizes innovative EdTech solutions, with categories for startups and larger companies.
Recognition: Featured on the District Administration website and promotional materials.
Entry Fee: $149 for startups.
9. Rice Business Plan Competition
Focus: Global competition for university-based startups, including EdTech-driven initiatives.
Prizes: Over $1 million in investment and cash prizes.
Eligibility: Must have two student founders.
Application Deadline: January 17, 2025
10. Global EdTech Startups Awards (GESA)
Description: A major global competition for EdTech startups, with regional rounds likely occurring in Latin America.
Focus: Identifies and recognizes promising EdTech startups.
Recognition: Offers global exposure and investment opportunities.
11. Rising Stars Awards
Description: Recognizes innovative startups in various sectors, including EdTech.
Focus: Aimed at companies that show extraordinary potential in transforming their industries.
Benefits: Offers national exposure and potential partnerships with key players.
12. Pitch at Paley Fest
When: March 2025 (exact dates TBD)
Focus: Innovative startups in entertainment, but with tech solutions applicable to EdTech.
Benefits: Pitch to industry leaders and gain valuable feedback.
13. EdTech Innovation Awards
Description: Annual awards recognizing breakthrough technology in education.
Focus: Open to all EdTech startups aiming to make an impact.
Benefits: Offers awards and recognition, along with networking opportunities.
14. Venture Cup
Description: A national startup competition in several countries in South America that includes a technology category.
Focus: Encourage innovative startups to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.
Benefits: Access to mentoring, in addition to cash prizes.
15. Chilean Startup Competition
When: February 2025 (exact dates TBD)
Focus: Supports technology and innovative startups operating within Chile, including EdTech solutions.
Benefits: Offers funding, mentorship, and access to an investor network.
This collection of competitions equips EdTech startups in South America with a plethora of opportunities to showcase their innovations, connect with mentors and investors, and potentially secure funding and recognition on a larger scale.
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FAQ
Q: What is the South Summit Brazil Startup Competition?
A: The South Summit Brazil Startup Competition is a global event held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, providing startups visibility and networking opportunities with investors. Learn more about South Summit Brazil.
Q: Is there a competition specifically recognizing EdTech startups in Latin America?
A: The Global Startup Awards - Latin America recognizes top innovators across sectors, including EdTech. Discover the Global Startup Awards.
Q: How can EdTech startups participate in the Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle?
A: EdTech startups can participate in the Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle by pitching their solutions at the regional semi-finals and finals scheduled in January 2025. Explore Startup Grind.
Q: What is the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship?
A: The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship supports startups focused on improving education in South Africa with funding and mentorship. Find out more about the Fellowship.
Q: When does the SXSW EDU Launch Competition take place?
A: The SXSW EDU Launch Competition will occur from March 3-6, 2025, showcasing early-stage EdTech companies. Learn more about SXSW EDU.
Q: What is the focus of the Building Latam Fest Pitch Competition?
A: The Building Latam Fest Pitch Competition aims to solve challenges in the building materials and construction sectors, allowing EdTech startups focused on construction skills to participate. Check Building Latam Fest.
Q: How can startups participate in the Tech of Tomorrow Startup Competition?
A: Startups can apply for the Tech of Tomorrow Startup Competition by submitting their applications by January 31, 2025, with public voting following soon after. Learn more about Tech of Tomorrow.
Q: What recognition can EdTech startups receive in the District Administration's Top EdTech Products of the Year?
A: EdTech startups can gain exposure and recognition in the District Administration's program, highlighting innovative solutions. Discover District Administration Awards.
Q: Who is eligible for the Rice Business Plan Competition?
A: The Rice Business Plan Competition is open to university-based startups and requires at least two student founders. Find more about Rice Business Plan Competition.
Q: What is the Global EdTech Startups Awards (GESA)?
A: The Global EdTech Startups Awards (GESA) aims to recognize promising EdTech startups worldwide, with regional rounds allowing Latin American startups to compete. Explore GESA.
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
