Top 25 Startup Competitions for EdTech Startups in 2025
The EdTech landscape is rapidly evolving, and 2025 promises a plethora of opportunities for innovative startups to showcase their solutions and gain valuable insights. Below is a curated list of the Top 25 Startup Competitions for EdTech Startups in 2025, featuring detailed information about each competition's focus, prizes, and application details.
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1. Young Entrepreneur Summit 2025
When: March 13-15, 2025
Where: Bremen, Germany
Focus: Broad entrepreneurial themes, including EdTech.
Prizes: Up to €3,000 in prizes.
Details: This summit serves as a platform for young entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas and receive mentorship.
2. SXSW EDU Launch Competition 2025
When: March 3-6, 2025
Where: Austin, Texas, USA
Focus: Exclusively EdTech startups.
Prizes: No cash prize, but offers significant networking and showcasing opportunities.
Details: A featured competition of the renowned SXSW EDU festival, aimed at launching new education innovations.
3. Global EdTech Startup Awards (GESA)
When: Annual event; specific 2025 dates TBD.
Where: Global, with regional rounds in various cities.
Focus: EdTech startups worldwide.
Prizes: Includes cash prizes, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
Details: A prestigious global competition that promotes innovative EdTech solutions and connects them with stakeholders.
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4. The Tools Competition
When: Current awards cycle underway (launched September 12, 2024).
Where: Not specified.
Focus: EdTech tools specifically.
Prizes: Millions of dollars awarded.
Details: This competition emphasizes innovative EdTech tools that can transform learning environments.
5. Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship 2025
When: Application deadline January 31, 2025
Where: Nigeria, Africa
Focus: K-12, tertiary education, and vocational skills training solutions.
Prizes: $100k in equity-free funding, support, and mentoring.
Details: Aimed at solutions that improve education access and effectiveness across Africa.
6. Go-Together EdTech Accelerator 2025
When: Applications currently open.
Where: Not specified.
Focus: EdTech startups seeking growth.
Prizes: Not specified but aims to provide intensive support for startups.
Details: A supportive program designed to help EdTech startups thrive in competitive markets.
7. LearnLaunch Breakthrough to Scale Program
When: Applications open for the 2025 program.
Where: Boston, USA
Focus: Early-stage EdTech startups.
Prizes: Tailored mentorship and milestone-based funding.
Details: Focuses on K-12, higher education, and lifelong learning sectors with direct access to industry experts.
8. EdTech Events Series 2025
When: Throughout 2025 (March, August, November).
Where: Vietnam (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City).
Focus: Various EdTech themes, including language training.
Prizes: Not applicable as these are events rather than competitions.
Details: A series of events designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among EdTech innovators.
9. GESAwards - Global Edtech Startups Awards
When: Annual event; specific 2025 dates TBD.
Where: Various regions globally.
Focus: Recognizes outstanding EdTech startups.
Prizes: Mentorship, ecosystem building, and access to global markets.
Details: Celebrating innovative solutions that enhance education across various regions.
10. SXSW EDU Startup Bootcamp
When: March 4-6, 2025
Where: Austin, Texas, USA
Focus: EdTech startups.
Prizes: Networking, showcasing, and feedback opportunities.
Details: A bootcamp designed to prepare startups for competition at SXSW EDU. Acts as an incubator for ideas and collaborations.
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11. FETC Pitch Competition
When: January 22-24, 2025
Where: Miami, Florida, USA
Focus: K-12 EdTech solutions.
Prizes: Cash prizes and mentoring opportunities.
Details: A competitive pitch event during the Future of Education Technology Conference, highlighting innovation in K-12 education.
12. BETT Pitch
When: January 22-24, 2025
Where: London, UK
Focus: Educational technology and solutions.
Prizes: Cash prizes and mentorship.
Details: A key part of the Bett UK, showcasing innovations that advance education across the globe.
13. ASU+GSV Summit 2025
When: April 14-17, 2025
Where: San Diego, California, USA
Focus: EdTech startups and investors.
Prizes: Not specified but includes major networking opportunities.
Details: Brings together leaders in EdTech to discuss future trends and explore partnerships.
14. Incubate EdTech Accelerator Program
When: Applications currently open.
Where: Various locations.
Focus: EdTech startups looking for guidance and funding.
Prizes: Not specified but provides extensive startup support.
Details: Focuses on helping EdTech innovators refine their business models and scaling strategies.
15. EdTechX Summit
When: Not specified; typically occurs mid-year.
Where: London, UK
Focus: EdTech discussions and innovations.
Prizes: Not applicable; however, it promotes collaboration and partnership opportunities.
Details: A gathering of thought leaders in EdTech, promoting dialogue and insight sharing.
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16. EdSurge’s EdTech Pitch Fest
When: Not specified, typically in spring.
Where: USA
Focus: Innovative educational technologies.
Prizes: Networking and feedback from industry experts.
Details: Connects startups with edtech leaders and influencers, providing critical visibility.
17. EdTech Startup Challenge
When: Various dates throughout 2025.
Where: USA and global locations.
Focus: Startups in the EdTech sector.
Prizes: Funding and mentorship opportunities.
Details: Encourages startups to develop their concepts and gives them a platform to pitch.
18. Venture for America EdTech Competition
When: Applications open in early 2025.
Where: USA
Focus: Early-stage EdTech startups.
Prizes: Funding and mentoring support.
Details: Provides resources to growing EdTech startups created by Venture for America fellows.
19. EdTech Innovation Fund
When: Applications open year-round.
Where: Global
Focus: Innovative EdTech solutions.
Prizes: Investment opportunities along with mentorship.
Details: A fund aimed at supporting the next wave of education technology innovations.
20. Rocket Pitch for EdTech
When: Specific dates in the fall of 2025.
Where: Various educational conferences.
Focus: Diverse fields within EdTech.
Prizes: Prizes for the best pitch and mentorship from industry leaders.
Details: A fast-paced pitch event allowing startups to showcase their innovations in front of a live audience.
21. EdTech Collaboration Summit
When: August 2025.
Where: San Francisco, California, USA
Focus: EdTech partnerships.
Prizes: Not applicable; focuses on collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Details: Brings together diverse players in the EdTech field to explore partnerships.
22. Techstars EdTech Accelerator
When: Application windows throughout the year.
Where: Various locations globally.
Focus: EdTech startups at different stages.
Prizes: Access to a vast network of mentors and potential funding.
Details: A well-known program that nurtures startups through direct mentorship and coaching.
23. EdTech Challenge: Future Leaders
When: September 2025.
Where: United States and online.
Focus: Young entrepreneurs in EdTech.
Prizes: Scholarships and mentorship for the best ideas.
Details: Targets young innovators aiming to create impactful EdTech businesses.
24. EdTech Breakthrough Awards 2025
When: Applications open mid-2025.
Where: USA
Focus: Breakthrough innovations in EdTech.
Prizes: Awards and recognition at an awards gala.
Details: Highlights outstanding innovations that have the potential to transform learning experiences.
25. EurAsia EdTech Forum
When: Not specified; scheduled for late 2025.
Where: Eurasia regions including Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Focus: Regional EdTech solutions.
Prizes: Not specified, but emphasizes regional networking.
Details: Provides a platform for startups to connect with potential partners within the region.
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FAQ
Q: What is the main focus of the SXSW EDU Launch Competition 2025?
A: The SXSW EDU Launch Competition primarily focuses on EdTech startups, offering opportunities for showcasing, networking, and feedback. Learn more about SXSW EDU.
Q: What prize can participants expect from the Young Entrepreneur Summit 2025?
A: The Young Entrepreneur Summit offers up to €3,000 in prizes for participants. Discover more about the Young Entrepreneur Summit.
Q: Where will the Global EdTech Startup Awards take place?
A: The Global EdTech Startup Awards is a global event with various regional semi-final locations including cities like London, Boston, and Mumbai. Learn more about GESAwards.
Q: What is the application deadline for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship 2025?
A: The application deadline for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is January 31, 2025. Find out more here.
Q: What type of support does the LearnLaunch Breakthrough to Scale Program provide?
A: The LearnLaunch Breakthrough to Scale Program offers tailored mentorship, milestone-based funding, and connections to industry experts and investors for early-stage EdTech startups. Learn more about the program.
Q: What should participants expect from the Go-Together EdTech Accelerator?
A: The Go-Together EdTech Accelerator aims to help EdTech startups thrive through support and resources, although specific prizes are not detailed. Explore more about the accelerator.
Q: What is the focus of the Tools Competition?
A: The Tools Competition focuses on EdTech tools and has millions of dollars in awarded prizes. Get more information on Tools Competition.
Q: When are the events for the EdTech Events Series 2025 scheduled?
A: The EdTech Events Series 2025 includes events in March, August, and November, focusing on various EdTech themes in Vietnam. Learn more about the EdTech Events Series.
Q: How does the Global Edtech Startup Awards benefit participants?
A: The Global EdTech Startup Awards promotes the best EdTech startups by providing mentoring, building ecosystems, and connecting with a global market. Discover more about GESA.
Q: What opportunities are provided by the SXSW EDU Startup Bootcamp?
A: The SXSW EDU Startup Bootcamp offers opportunities for startups to showcase their businesses, network, and receive valuable feedback. Learn more about the Bootcamp.
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.
