SHARK TANKS @ EDTECH WEEK
OUR SIGNATURE
STARTUP PITCH
COMPETITION
Returns October 2026 | New York City
Shark Tanks are an opportunity for early-stage education startups to gain visibility, feedback, and funding from “Sharks”— top EdTech investors and operators.
Each year, select Sharks opt-in to collectively pledge $250,000 in investment for Shark Tank Participants. Learn more about our judges, attending investors and FAQs below.
– Applications for 2026 Shark Tanks are open –
Entry Categories
-
Today’s K–12 ecosystem is navigating urgent challenges — from staffing shortages and student disengagement to declining test scores and widening equity gaps. At the same time, innovators are unlocking powerful new ways to personalize instruction, support teachers, and make learning relevant for a new generation of digital-native students. This Shark Tank showcases entrepreneurs reimagining how, where, and what students learn — and how schools adapt and thrive in the process.
-
As technology evolves and labor markets shift, the very definition of work is being rewritten. From AI to automation to new models of credentialing, learners and workers alike are demanding faster, cheaper, more relevant pathways to economic mobility. This Shark Tank highlights startups designing the systems, tools, and platforms that equip today’s workforce — and tomorrow’s — with the skills, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive.
-
AI is reshaping the education landscape — not in the future, but right now. From personalized learning to productivity tools to next-gen tutoring, AI is unlocking new possibilities for educators, students, and institutions at every level. This Shark Tank features the boldest entrepreneurs deploying AI responsibly to improve outcomes, boost efficiency, and close equity gaps across the learning journey.
-
Scaling an edtech company past early traction means navigating enterprise sales cycles, proving learning outcomes at scale, and building sustainable unit economics — all while staying mission-driven. The companies in this tank have already found product-market fit and are now racing to expand their reach across institutions, districts, and global markets. This Shark Tank showcases founders turning promising products into category-defining platforms — and the investors ready to back them through the next inflection point.
-
Education is one of the most powerful engines of economic mobility — but too many learners still face systemic barriers to opportunity. From workforce reskilling and credential transparency to financial access and wraparound support, a new generation of founders is building technology that connects learning to real economic outcomes. This Shark Tank showcases entrepreneurs closing the gap between education and upward mobility — and proving that impact and scale can go hand in hand.
-
Higher education is under more pressure than ever — enrollment shifts, skepticism about ROI, and the rapid integration of AI are forcing institutions to rethink how they deliver value. At the same time, innovators are building tools that help colleges and universities modernize the student experience, streamline operations, and demonstrate measurable outcomes. This Shark Tank showcases entrepreneurs reimagining what higher education looks like — and how institutions can evolve to meet the moment.
SHARK TANK ALUMNI
Hand-picked from hundreds of applications, these companies took the stage at EDTECH WEEK to pitch to a panel of “Sharks.” Congratulations to our 2025 Shark Tank Finalists:
We can't wait to see the impact you continue to make!
2025 Finalists
Founder stories
-
$500K+ in business closed within two months of the event. Currently closing an investment round with investors met at EdTech Week.
"Shark Tank didn't just give us visibility - it gave us momentum across revenue, hiring, and partnerships."
— Christie Pang, Co-founder & CEO, Lirvana Labs | Growth Stage Winner
-
$200K+ in additional funding secured. 500+ students served. New partnerships with Chicago Public Schools and RIT.
"The investor relationships we built at shark tank continue to drive real outcomes for our mission."
— Ayesha Kazi, Co-founder & COO, ASL Aspire | K-12 Innovation
-
324K+ student interactions. 39K IEP/504 accommodations delivered. Now serving schools across Florida.
“The judges' feedback directly shaped how we talk about scholar - and helped us scale from one teacher to 20,000+ users."
— Marlee Strawn, Head of Education & Co-Founder, Scholar Education | K-12 Innovation
MEET THE 2025 SHARKS
-
Alison Pendergast
Gates Foundation
-
Ana Maria Aristizabal
Potencia Ventures
-
Atin Batra
ECMC
-
Bridget Duru
Rethink
-
Claire Zau
GSV
-
Claudio Erba
Gresilent Holdings
-
Elad Granot
iAngels
-
Eleanor Laurans
Workshop Ventures
-
Gemma Lenowitz
Samvid Ventures
-
George Kane
Emerson Collective
-
Graham Forman
Edovate Capital
-
Greg Boone
Walk West
-
Hailey Carter
Owl Ventures
-
Harris Goodman
BrainPop
-
Henrik Appert
Magma Math
-
Ian Chiu
Owl Ventures
-
Jessica Cornell
WGU Labs
-
Jessica Milston
Copper Wire Ventures
-
Joe Alalou
Daring Ventures
-
Joshua Elder
Siegel Family Foundation
-
Kelly Bryan
Village Capital
-
Mark Grovic
New Markets Venture Partners
-
Matt Barry
Learn Capital
-
Matt Greenfield
Rethink Education
-
Matt Tower
Whiteboard Advisors
-
Megan O'Connor
Chegg
-
MICHAEL LEVINE
Kapor Capital
-
Michele Leardo
Walton Family Foundation
-
Michelle Rhee
EO Ventures
-
Miriam Altman-Reyes
Brass Ring Ventures
-
Ron Levin
Alumni Ventures
-
Sandro Olivieri
Diffusion Venture Studio
-
Stephen Jull
Emerge Ventures | Teach for All
-
Steve Kupfer
Reach Capital
-
Suchi Deshpande
Learnfully
INVESTORS WHO ATTEND EDTECH WEEK
shark tank faQ
-
Since 2015, this series of Shark Tanks has featured EdTech “Sharks” - top early stage EdTech investors - and companies representing every global startup ecosystem.
Apply to be selected to present in New York City, and compete for a spot in our finale and investment for finalist(s). -
Industry-wide visibility for your company, the potential for investment, and the option to get strategic guidance from an elite network of education investors and operators who want you to succeed.
Prizes for participants include direct investment of up to $250,000 of pledged investment from the Sharks.
The presenting CEO invited to pitch at EdTech Week receives complimentary access to the full EdTech Week October 14-15 ($999 value), and any teammates attending may purchase an entrepreneur registration ($849) to EdTech Week 2026, Oct 14-15. -
For-profit and not-for-profit companies using technology to address problems in Early Childhood, K-12, HigherEd, Workforce, and Adult Learning, from anywhere in the world, with less than $10 million in funding or annual revenue.
-
Take 15-30 minutes to apply before the deadline(s).
Application deadline: August 16, 2026 (midnight ET) -
Criteria for selecting companies in descending order of importance are as follows:
Diverse-minded teams or solo founders with passion for education
Problem sets/markets with the opportunity to build companies $100 million+ in value
Evidence that you’re solving a real problem (e.g., users, revenue, partnerships, LOIs, RCT research, efficacy studies)
A scalable, eventually defensible tech-based product that the world needs
-
Take 15-30 minutes to apply before the deadline(s).
Application deadline: August 16, 2026 (midnight ET)
Deadline for semi-finalists and waitlisted companies to secure their spot: September 1, 2026 (midnight ET)
Virtual semi-final: September 15, 2026 (midnight ET)
Shark Tank Finale: October 14-15, 2026
Contact us with any questions.
-
EdTech Week reviews applications through August 14 to select the top companies presenting in semi-finals in September 2026. Semi-finalists receive offers and have a deadline to accept by September 1. EdTech "Sharks" — top early-stage EdTech investors featured on the application page — vote to select finalists during the virtual semi-finals. Finalists are notified and present on the main stage at Columbia University, Lerner Hall on October 14.
-
Semi-finalists are made offers on a rolling basis, up to August 14, 2026.
Deadline for semi-finalists and waitlisted companies to secure their spot: September 1, 2026 (midnight ET).
Finalists are notified immediately after their respective virtual semi-final, and present on the main stage at Columbia University, Lerner Hall on October 14-15, 2026.
-
No, EdTech Week does not reimburse travel or accommodation.
Visit our travel and accommodation guide at www.edtechweek.com to access discounted accommodations.The top companies invited to present at EdTech Week receive one complimentary access to the EdTech Week on October 14-15, and discounted access to other tram members.
-
Yes, you are welcome to apply as a returning applicant or presenter. In fact, companies have applied multiple times before a successful application.
Previous finalists at EdTech Shark Tanks are not eligible to present.
-
Select Shark Tanks are sponsored by EdTech investors, were indicated. By selecting sponsored Shark Tanks, your application may be shared with sponsoring investors aiming to identify companies to make investments in.
Got Questions?