Dutch Edtech News - April
Welcome to the Dutch Edtech Newsletter. We're excited to bring you the latest updates from the Edtech community in the Netherlands. Enjoy reading!
Insights and Trends
Keeping up with the latest in education & learning technology
👉 41 Startup Ideas Shaping the Future of Learning and Work
In a recent report from Edtech Insiders, 41 startup ideas were presented as a blueprint for the future of learning, career navigation, and work. Ideas grouped into three categories: Learn, Navigate, and Work. In the Learning category, ideas include AI study buddies that replicate personalised tutor support and authoring tools that transform static content like textbooks into interactive mind maps, flashcards, or presentations. The Navigate section focuses on career guidance and job market access, featuring innovations like AI career coaches and entrepreneurial upskilling platforms. The work category explores how AI can augment the workplace, from AI-powered digital workers that take over repetitive tasks to tools that help L&D teams deliver engaging, scalable upskilling programs. For EdTech founders, this list is a map to where real opportunities lie at the intersection of education, work, and technology. For more details please read the report.
👉 From Innovation to Implementation: What EdTech Needs to Deliver
Key challenges in digital education include ensuring equitable access, building robust digital infrastructure, and addressing ethical concerns such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. These issues highlight the importance of thoughtful, systemic approaches to digital learning. According to World Bank’s report, “Digital Pathways for Education”, while digital technologies offer great potential to enhance learning, their impact depends on thoughtful, systemic integration. For EdTech developers and publishers, this highlights the importance of designing solutions that are not only innovative but also grounded in evidence and tailored to diverse learning needs. This means embedding tools that enable robust impact monitoring and ongoing evaluation by default, ensuring contextual adaptability and prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity to bridge the digital divide. By aligning with these principles, EdTech creators can contribute meaningfully to global education goals and drive more equitable and effective learning outcomes.
👉 From Solutions to Outcomes: What the Market Demands
Investors and employers are looking for platforms that don't just support education but actively solve for workforce transformation, talent shortages, and reskilling at scale. There is a growing interest in solutions that deliver real-world outcomes for skills that lead directly to employment, upskilling aligned with workforce needs, and learning delivered "just in time" rather than "just in case." According to Brighteye Ventures, EdTech 2.0 (platforms that integrate learning with job placement, workforce enablement, and productivity) is on the rise. These models are attracting interest, $15.4 billion compared to $6.3 billion (traditional EdTech). The shift signals toward outcome-driven and work-aligned learning solutions. For European EdTechs, this signals a clear opportunity. Startups operating in vocational tech, B2B, or lifelong learning have a chance to position themselves at the core of this phase if they can show impact, outcomes, and scalability beyond the classroom. Read the full report here.
👉 Beyond the Product: Why Support for Educators Matters
In its recent report, Building Trust in EdTech, the European EdTech Alliance highlights a critical yet often overlooked aspect of building trust in educational technology: the professional development of educators. The report emphasizes that without sufficient training and support, even the most innovative tools are unlikely to deliver impact in real-world educational settings. This underscores the importance of looking beyond product design alone. Earning trust requires investing in the broader ecosystem, ensuring that educators are equipped, confident, and supported in integrating technology effectively. Structured onboarding, practical implementation guidance, and continuous professional learning are essential not just for adoption but for long-term success and credibility. Read the full report here.
For more insights and trends in Dutch Edtech, read our report!
News and Announcements
📚 Digital Learning Portal Launched for Vocational Education (MBO)
In March, Npuls announced a collaboration with Btg Techniek en Gebouwde Omgeving and the MBO Raad to launch a new digital portal to support vocational education (MBO) in the Netherlands. The platform provides teachers, instructors, and training companies with a central place to find, share, and reuse high-quality digital learning materials. This pilot initiative, running until June 2025, aims to make vocational education more flexible and aligned with urgent societal transitions, including the energy shift and the circular economy. Several schools, including ROC van Amsterdam, Deltion and Alfa-college, are already contributing. The portal also marks an important step toward scaling reusable digital resources across all vocational sectors and strengthening collaboration in the Dutch EdTech ecosystem.
⭐ EEA Highlights New Developments
The European EdTech Alliance recently shared several announcements. A new report on Building Trust in EdTech explores how evidence-based approaches can strengthen transparency and accountability in the sector, supporting more effective collaboration between EdTech providers, institutions, and policymakers. Alongside this, the launch of the Higher Education Interoperability Framework (HEIF) addresses a key challenge in the European education landscape: the lack of connectivity between systems. The framework provides a foundation for smoother cross-border collaboration, easier student mobility, and better access to shared digital learning resources. Finally, by joining UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition, the EEA positions itself within a global network of education actors focused on reducing digital inequality and supporting inclusive, tech-enabled learning for all.
🔍 Digital Bricks at Dubai AI Festival
Digital Bricks announced its participation in the upcoming Dubai AI Festival 2025, which is taking place on April 23–24. As a Premium Bronze Sponsor, the company will host a 60-minute roundtable on Responsible AI and showcase its latest innovations throughout the week. The Dubai AI Festival is part of Dubai AI Week, a major international event focused on the role of AI in shaping the future of work, learning, and society. For more information about the festival and how to participate, please check the official website.
✨ Learning Technologies Conference and Exhibition
LTCE returns to London on April 23–24, bringing together thousands of professionals who are shaping the future of learning and development. As one of Europe’s largest events focused on learning innovation, it offers valuable exposure to the latest technologies, strategies, and partnerships in digital learning. Registration for the exhibition is free, and startups, scale-ups, and higher education actors can benefit from the insights, connections, and visibility the event offers. A valuable visit for EdTech companies exploring cross-sector opportunities, product-market alignment, or new routes into the UK market. Book your ticket here.
🌍 EdTech World Forum, UK
This year, again, on May 19 - 20, the EdTech World Forum will take place at The Lansdowne Club in London. This conference brings around 200 delegates and 25 expert speakers to explore developments in areas like eLearning platforms, virtual classrooms, gamification, and the use of AI, VR, and AR in education. The conference holds a strong focus on emerging technologies and digital transformation; it offers a valuable opportunity for founders and senior leaders seeking thought leadership, market insights, or investor connections. Registration is now open, and tickets start at £495. For more information, check their website.
🌟 EIT EdTech Conference Postponed to Q4 2025
The EIT EdTech Conference, which was planned for March, will now take place in October 2025 to better align with EU policy developments. The conference aims to strengthen Europe’s EdTech ecosystem by bridging gaps between industry, education, and policy. The event will bring together startups, educators, policymakers, and funders to share best practices, explore partnerships, and shape the future of digital learning in Europe. The focus will be on showcasing European EdTech success stories, accelerating innovation and investment, strengthening collaboration between EdTech providers and educators, and addressing evolving skills and workforce challenges. For more details, please check their website.
Upcoming Dutch Edtech events and meetups
➡️ 9 April, 16:00 - 17:30 | First Cross-Country Entrepreneur EdTech Exchange: Corporate Learning Session | Online | Members Only
For the first time, EdTech entrepreneurs from across Europe, including Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, will gather for an exclusive B2B corporate learning network meeting. A unique opportunity to exchange experiences, share best practices, and tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges. This event is designed for EdTech CEOs, founders, and corporate learning leaders to engage in peer-to-peer learning and explore growth strategies. The event is exclusively for members of Swedish Edtech, Swiss Edtech Collider, European EdTech Alliance and Dutch Edtech! Don’t miss out on this exciting evening! Sign up here.
➡️ 10 April, 12:00 - 18:00 | Education & EdTech | Utrecht
Join a discussion around the increasing influence of big tech. This event, organized by Npuls (with contributions from Dutch Edtech), features a deep dive into the early results of the Co-Creation Lab, where participants will explore key success factors for effective collaboration in EdTech development. The program also includes sessions on innovative procurement and the Collaborative Trust Framework. We’ll start with a delicious community lunch, followed by an afternoon full of discussion, collaboration, and inspiration. The Inspiration Sessions at the end of the day will explore the 3E Framework, a talk show with three EdTech startups and three institutions, and examine public-private partnerships in digital testing and development. Find more info or sign up via https://lnkd.in/eJx8-RvU. Please note: There is a limited number of places available!
➡️ 6-8 May | Learntec | Karlsruhe, Germany
LEARNTEC, Europe’s leading event for digital education, takes place in Karlsruhe, Germany, from May 6 to 8. With a strong focus on innovation in schools, higher education, and workplace learning, it’s an excellent opportunity for EdTech founders, educators, and learning professionals to explore emerging trends, connect with international partners, and discover new market opportunities—especially in the fast-growing German EdTech sector. Applications for the Trade Mission with ROM Utrecht Region and registration for NL Lounge (participation without exhibiting) is still possible (€300). This event is valuable for anyone looking to gain insights and build new collaborations across the European landscape. Learn more about the available packages and register by April 15!
➡️ Coming Soon
We’re working behind the scenes on new gatherings to bring our community together. From founder dinners and Lunch & Learns to knowledge sharing sessions, roundtables, cross country sessions, Thought Leaders Dinners, and much more. We’re so happy and excited about what’s coming up, and we can’t wait to share it with you! Keep an eye on our website and our newsletters to stay up to date with the latest announcements and event invitations.
Dutch Edtech Members
Welcome aboard to our newest members!
The Dutch Edtech community is growing! 🚀 Take a look at our new members!
🧑💻 Academic Route Planner
Academic Route Planner helps students understand where they stand in their academic journey. With a smart, cloud-based tool, they can track their progress, explore course options, and see how different choices impact the duration of their studies. The platform offers a clear overview of available subjects and when they can be taken, while the smart selection allows for easy comparison of study paths. Developed by DimLab | Student Flow Services, Academic Route Planner makes planning easier, more transparent, and tailored to each student’s goals.
💻 Pluvo
Pluvo is revolutionizing organisational learning by providing a comprehensive online academy platform. With Pluvo, companies can effortlessly create and manage engaging e-learning courses, streamline training processes, and foster a culture of continuous development. From multimedia lessons and interactive quizzes to personalised learning paths and powerful analytics, Pluvo offers all the tools needed to bring learning to life. Its user-friendly interface makes knowledge sharing feel natural and intuitive, while flexible access anytime, anywhere ensures that learning fits into every schedule.
💡 Do you also want to join and become a member of Dutch Edtech? Sign up here or contact us at info@dutchedtech.com
Job Market
EdTech career opportunities in the Netherlands
🗣 FeedbackFruits is looking for a Business Development Representative US - Remote
🗣 FeedbackFruits is looking for a Talent Acquisition Specialist - Amsterdam
🗣 Lepaya is looking for an Account Executive - Amsterdam
🗣 Prowise is looking for a Senior Inside Sales Representative - Amsterdam
🗣 Studyportals is looking for a Product Owner - Core Engagement - Eindhoven
Do you also have career opportunities to be highlighted in our newsletter? Please add your vacancy to our Knowledge Base in NOTION (members only).
Thanks for reading! If you have any feedback or stories you'd like to share in the next issue, please email info@dutchedtech.com or submit via the Dutch Edtech | Knowledge-base in NOTION. Please share this newsletter with your network if you found it valuable. We appreciate your support!
Cheers,
Ewoud, Roel, Linda, Jitske & Parastoo