Top 10 Startup Competitions for EdTech Startups Globally in 2025
As the educational technology sector continues to evolve, 2025 is set to showcase a plethora of innovations through various startup competitions worldwide. These competitions not only provide funding opportunities but also facilitate networking and validation for budding EdTech entrepreneurs. Here’s a detailed look at the Top 10 Startup Competitions for EdTech Startups in 2025.
Boost Your SEO by Getting Featured in Our Blogs and get a backlink.
We publish content about startups, education, tech, funding, etc. that ranks well not only in Google but also in Perplexity, ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools.
👉 Get featured now!
1. Global EdTech Startups Awards (GESAwards)
Description: The world's largest EdTech startup competition, identifying, showcasing, and recognizing the most promising EdTech startups. A joint venture between partners from 6 continents.
Data Points:
- Global Reach: Over 6,000 startups from 130+ countries participate.
- Community: A large community of EdTech startups globally.
- Process: Regional semi-finals leading to an international final round.
- Tracks: New educational challenges and opportunities for startups each year.
- Recognition: Winners are crowned the most promising EdTech startup of the year.
- Learn more about GESAwards
2. SXSW EDU Launch Startup Competition
Description: A competition for early-stage education startups seeking market exposure, investment, and strategic partnerships. Part of the SXSW EDU conference.
Data Points:
- Focus: Showcasing innovative products and services in the education sector.
- Benefits: Opportunities for feedback, investment, and strategic partnerships.
- Exposure: Finalists pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience.
- Track Record: Past winners have achieved significant success.
- Networking: Part of the larger SXSW EDU community.
- Discover SXSW EDU
Write FREE SEO-optimized Blog Articles! Our Article Writer ensures your blog is loved by both Google and your readers, turning those clicks into customers.
👉 Write your article here
3. Supes' Choice Awards & SupeTank Competition
Description: Part of the Institute for Education Innovation's National Summit, it showcases EdTech solutions to superintendents and industry experts, featuring a "SupeTank" pitch competition.
Data Points:
- Target Audience: Directly targets superintendents and education leaders.
- Networking: Opportunities to build relationships and generate leads.
- Pitch Format: Startups present solutions in a panel format.
- Selection: 30 companies chosen based on sales, revenue, or stage.
- Prizes: Winners are showcased at the Gala.
- Learn more about Supes' Choice Awards
4. Top EdTech Products of the Year Awards (District Administration)
Description: An annual competition spotlighting the most innovative new solutions in the EdTech market. Organized by District Administration and FETC.
Data Points:
- Evaluation: A comprehensive evaluation by editors, superintendents, and industry experts.
- Categories: 14 categories for different EdTech sectors.
- Recognition: Winning products are recognized in District Administration magazine and at FETC.
- Startup & Large Company Divisions: Companies are divided into startup and midsize/large categories.
- Innovation Focus: Awards emphasize new solutions in the market.
- Learn more about Top EdTech Products Awards
Join F/MS: Startup Facilitator & Incubator and unlock your startup dreams today! Get your first customers, register you company in the Netherlands and get startup visas for the team.
5. Learning Impact Awards (1EdTech)
Description: A global competition recognizing outstanding and innovative educational technology applications that address significant challenges.
Data Points:
- Framework: Based on 1EdTech's Learning Impact Trend framework.
- Categories: Award categories are based on emerging trends in educational technology.
- Global Participation: Attracts a global audience of participants.
- Innovation Indicator: Identifies emerging trends in education tech.
- Networking: Winners are announced at the Learning Impact Conference.
- Discover Learning Impact Awards
6. Tools Competition (The Learning Agency and Georgia State University)
Description: A global ed-tech innovation contest that awards funding to companies with innovative solutions.
Data Points:
- Global Reach: Companies from numerous countries participate.
- Funding: Provides significant financial awards to winning companies (over $8 Million).
- Focus: Awards include novel approaches to classroom tasks and AI-based solutions.
- Selection: 50 winning companies are selected from a pool of applications.
- Impact: The competition aims to expand technologies that support learning.
- Learn more about Tools Competition
7. EdTechX All Stars Startup Awards
Description: An awards program that highlights innovative startups in the EdTech space.
Data Points:
- Focus: Showcases the best emerging EdTech companies.
- Global: Part of a larger global network of EdTech.
- Networking: Provides opportunities to connect with the EdTech community.
- Recognition: Award winners receive recognition for their work.
- Industry Connection: Connects winners with stakeholders in education.
- Explore EdTechX All Stars
8. The EdTech Awards (EdTech Digest)
Description: An awards program recognizing people and products for their contributions to transforming education through technology.
Data Points:
- Recognition: Recognizes leaders and innovators in various sectors.
- Categories: Includes awards for Cool Tools, new products, and specific solutions.
- Sectors: Covers K-12, higher education, and skills/workforce sectors.
- Focus: Awards products that enrich learners' lives everywhere.
- Prestigious: A well-recognized program within the EdTech space.
- Learn more about The EdTech Awards
9. Michigan Virtual EdTech Pitch Contest
Description: A state-specific contest open to residents of Michigan with ties to the state's education ecosystem.
Data Points:
- Location: Focused on Michigan-based EdTech initiatives.
- Open To: Adult residents of Michigan with ties to its education ecosystem.
- Guidance: Winners receive expert guidance to turn their concepts into reality.
- Funding: Financial support is provided to the selected winners.
- Entrepreneurship: Aimed at both entrepreneurs and other innovators.
- Learn more about the Michigan Virtual Pitch Contest
10. GSV Cup Elite 200
Description: The world's largest pitch competition for EdTech Startups, the GSV Cup identifies and highlights the top EdTech innovators.
Data Points:
- Scale: This competition is recognized as the largest EdTech startup pitch competition in the world.
- Global Recognition: Startups are selected from across the globe, showcasing international talent.
- Networking: It allows startups to network with investors, policymakers, educators, and other industry leaders.
- Selection Process: The selection is competitive, making it a prestigious achievement to be included in the Elite 200.
- Opportunity: Offers opportunities to present and network with leading education innovators.
- Learn more about GSV Cup
FAQ
Q: What is the largest EdTech startup competition worldwide?
A: The Global EdTech Startups Awards (GESAwards) is recognized as the largest EdTech startup competition, featuring over 6,000 startups from 130+ countries. Learn more about GESAwards.
Q: What competition offers exposure for early-stage education startups?
A: The SXSW EDU Launch Startup Competition provides a platform for early-stage education startups to showcase their innovative products and services. Find out more about SXSW EDU.
Q: Which competition targets education leaders and superintendents?
A: The Supes' Choice Awards & SupeTank Competition directly targets superintendents and education leaders, featuring a unique "SupeTank" pitch format. Explore the Institute for Education Innovation.
Q: What awards recognize innovative EdTech products annually?
A: The Top EdTech Products of the Year Awards by District Administration highlights innovative solutions across various categories in the EdTech market. Learn more from District Administration.
Q: Which competition focuses on addressing significant educational challenges?
A: The Learning Impact Awards by 1EdTech acknowledges outstanding educational technology applications aimed at major education challenges. Discover 1EdTech.
Q: What is the funding opportunity for global EdTech innovations?
A: The Tools Competition, organized by The Learning Agency and Georgia State University, offers substantial funding for innovative educational solutions. Check out their details here.
Q: Which awards highlight the best emerging EdTech companies?
A: The EdTechX All Stars Startup Awards showcase innovative startups in the EdTech space and provide opportunities for networking within the community. Find more about EdTechX.
Q: What program recognizes contributions to transforming education through technology?
A: The EdTech Awards by EdTech Digest honors leaders and products that enhance learning through technology across various educational sectors. Learn more from EdTech Digest.
Q: Which contest is specific to Michigan-based EdTech initiatives?
A: The Michigan Virtual EdTech Pitch Contest is tailored for Michigan residents involved in the education sector, providing financial support and guidance for winners. Explore Michigan Virtual.
Q: What is recognized as the largest pitch competition for EdTech startups?
A: The GSV Cup Elite 200 is known as the largest pitch competition for EdTech startups, showcasing top innovators in the industry globally. More details can be found on their past events.
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.