Dutch EdTech News - May
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 technology
👉 Insights from HolonIQ: EdTech VC Funding Sees New Global Low
HolonIQ’s new article claims that global EdTech VC funding hit a new low in Q1 2024, marking its lowest point since 2014. Despite advancements in the sector since then, they state that interpreting long-term trends has become challenging due to the lingering effects of the pandemic and the disruptive influence of the AI hype cycle. According to HolonIQ, this has led to a landscape of “over-promise” and “hard to deliver” projects. EdTech VC funding dropped by 90% from its peak, with funding volume declining by over 50% across most global markets.
👉 Spotify Experiments with E-Learning
After an unexpected venture into audio-books, Spotify has now turned its focus to e-learning, starting with a launch in the UK. Spotify is experimenting with offering freemium video courses in partnership with third parties like the BBC and Skillshare to develop and test course material. The current course selection covers subjects ranging from music production to Excel skills, alongside tutorials on creating online learning content to empower users as "education creators.”
👉 SETT Discussion on Evidence and Trust in EdTech
This year's SETT featured a gathering of Nordic stakeholders to explore trust and evidence in EdTech. A major takeaway emphasized trust as essential for creating effective learning environments and nurturing democratic growth. Participants stressed the need for well-supported research collaborations and the importance of a clear definition of "evidence." Read more here.
As Dutch EdTech, we have been leading the discussion on evidence and trust in EdTech in our collaborations and community activities. Check out our upcoming Community Event at the bottom of the newsletter, focusing on fostering collaboration for impactful innovation!
News and Announcements
🇩🇪 Learntec 2024 | 4 - 6 June | Karlsruhe, Germany
Join the Dutch trade mission to Learntec in Germany, one of the biggest digital learning trade fairs in Germany! Learntec focuses on IT-supported learning technologies in the areas of schools, universities and corporate as well as best practices in lifelong learning. The exhibition booth option is now sold out, but you can sign-up for the regular participation here!
🥪 Recap Lunch & Learn Tour, Office - Studyportals
Last month, we launched the Dutch EdTech Lunch & Learn Tour in Eindhoven at the Dutch EdTech Thought Leader Studyportals’ office, connecting innovative EdTech companies from the Eindhoven/Brabant/Limburg region! It was a fantastic gathering where Dutch EdTech members and newcomers mingled and shared insights. Edwin van Rest, Founder & CEO of Studyportals, shared his inspiring founder journey. Key discussion points included founder connections, fundraising, and building strong teams and company culture. Excited for the next edition in Utrecht, sign-up link below!
📣 Exciting Opportunities
🚀 Google’s Growth Academy: AI for Education | Deadline 24 May
Sign-ups for Google’s Growth Academy for AI for Education are open now! The academy offers a three-month program to provide essential growth skills, internationalization strategies, and Google tools to scale and innovate for seed to Series-A education startups. Read more about this opportunity and apply here!
Upcoming Dutch EdTech events and meetups
➡️ 16 May | Founder Dinner #8 on Primary Education | Amsterdam (Members Only!)
Next up in our Founder Dinner series is an intimate gathering dedicated to founders in the primary education market! If are a Dutch EdTech member and feel that primary education aligns with your focus as a founder, request your invitation here. The guestlist is being finalized tomorrow, 9th of May!
➡️ 24 May | Lunch & Learn Tour, Office - ROM Utrecht Region | Utrecht (Open Event)
Join us to connect over lunch in the Utrecht region! Meet us at the ROM Utrecht Region office and learn from TrainTool founder Marijn de Geus and Springlab CEO Marloes van Gasteren! Get inspired by their journey, insights, and future goals. Discover the heartbeat of the EdTech ecosystem in Utrecht! 🌟 Sign-up here!
This event is open to Dutch EdTech member founders based in / around Utrecht, as well as EdTech founders that are not yet part of the community.
➡️ 28 May | EdTalks: Procurement 101 | Online (Members Only!)
Join this session organized by Npuls Pilothub EdTech, offered to Dutch EdTech members due to our collaboration, on how to deal with the process of procurement in education. This Dutch-speaking training will be led by Daniel Du Bois from SURF and Linda Lucker from Npuls. Sign-up here.
➡️ 11 June | Dutch EdTech Community Event: Fostering Collaboration for Impactful Innovation in EdTech | Amsterdam (Members Only!)
Join our community event to connect with Dutch EdTech members! This event will be the perfect opportunity to network with other EdTech professionals, welcome new members to our vibrant community, and delve into a meaningful discussion on evidence, trust, and collaboration in EdTech. Sign-up here!
Dutch EdTech Members
Welcome aboard to our newest members!
The Dutch EdTech community is growing! 🚀 Take a look at our eight new members!
Learning Studio crafts tailored learning programs, materials, and performance support tools designed specifically for the workplace environments of the users. They prioritize hands-on learning experiences and offer training in e-learning design and development.
Eindexamensite assists teachers in helping their students (aged 16-18) prepare for the Dutch end-of-year exam. Using their tool, teachers can optimize student performance, providing valuable insights into their challenges and facilitating their success.
👨💻 Enliven
Enliven advocates for a more empathetic and inclusive world by offering VR experiences to deepen the understanding among individuals. Their content covers topics ranging from domestic violence and mild intellectual disability to corporate bullying and sexual harassment.
💼 Gear Up
Gear Up offers innovative solutions to societal challenges like labor shortages through interactive learning & development programs. They use innovative tools to digitally showcase competencies and bridge the gap between qualified individuals and employment.
👨🏫 Schoolblocks
Schoolblocks develops innovative teaching materials that empower teachers to equip students effectively for both the present-day society and the future. They keep their resources up to date and enable students to immediately apply their skills!
👩💻 SkillFull
SkillFull believes that every person is full of unique skills! Through their digital innovations, employees effortlessly gain insights and enhance their productivity. They bridge science and practice, offering comprehensive game-based solutions to diverse clients!
Game Tailors crafts award-winning educational games dedicated to making playful learning the norm! Differing from typical gamified learning experiences that only rely on points, badges and leaderboards, they ensure long-term learning effects by focusing on intrinsic motivation!
SelfStartGlobal helps students all over the world get admitted into selective universities, reducing their education cost by 50-100% through scholarships and grants! Their mission is to make international education more affordable and accessible!
Job Market
EdTech career opportunities in the Netherlands
🗣 FeedbackFruits is looking for a Partner Account Manager (Dutch-speaking)- Amsterdam
🗣 Wizenoze is looking for a Senior Research Engineer (AI/ML/NLP/IR) - Amsterdam
🗣 Codegrade is looking for a Senior Software Engineer - Amsterdam
🗣 Studyportals is looking for a Campaign Manager - Eindhoven (Hybrid)
🗣 EngineeringTrainer is looking for a Course Product Manager and Account Manager - Utrecht / Remote
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, Ruben, Roel, Linda, Jitske & Rüya