The Startup Bootcamp is Back for SXSW EDU 2025

Ready to take your startup to the next level? The SXSW EDU Startup Bootcamp is here to equip you with the tactical tools and strategies you need to conquer challenges, build resilience, and scale your education startup. Get ready to hit the ground running at SXSW EDU 2025 and level up your entrepreneurial journey.

Bootcamp sessions, selected from PanelPicker®, are led by entrepreneurs, accelerators, and education leaders on topics ranging from impactful applications for AI to leveraging R&D, to navigating district sales and global markets. These sessions will take place from Tuesday, March 4 through Thursday, March 6. Plus, don’t miss out on the chance to grow your network of education entrepreneurs by catching a glimpse of what’s next and new in education startups at the Launch Startup Competition and Launch Spotlight, presented by the Walton Family Foundation. 

Tuesday, March 4

• 11:30am-1:00pm - Launch Startup Competition - Watch early-stage education startups go head-to-head in front of a panel of judges and live audience.
• 1:30pm-2:00pm - How Abbott Elementary Would Write a Startup Pitch - Tackle your presentation fears head-on and learn to imbue your pitch with the sizzle of Principal Ava, the substance of Gregory Eddie, and the heart of Janine Teagues. 
• 2:30pm-3:00pm - AI in EdTech: Avoid 5 Oversights for Sustainable Impact! - Learn how to recognize the most frequent oversights in AI-enhanced edtech design, identify strategies to address these oversights, and gain access to resources for improved human-centered, AI-enhanced edtech development.
• 3:30pm-5:00pm - Boosted EdTech: Leveraging Product Validations for Success - Workshop ideas that best fits your current company’s needs and leave with specific templates and activities to foster new, ongoing dialogs across teams.
• 5:30pm-7:00pm - Launch Spotlight - Join us for a celebratory evening reception following the live competition to announce the winners of the Launch Startup Competition.

Wednesday, March 5

• 11:30am-12:30pm - How to Fund Your EdTech Evidence Effort - Explore the challenges and opportunities in generating rigorous evidence of edtech effectiveness, as well as strategies for securing funding and resources to support this vital work.
• 1:30pm-3:00pm - How to Prepare for Education R&D: A Logic Model Workshop - Learn how to prepare for R&D, whether developing a new product or looking for evidence of impact from an existing tool.
• 4:00pm-5:00pm - Ed Finance Outlook: Which Districts Will be Buying? - What should vendors and nonprofits know about the short and long-term outlook for K-12 procurement? Dig into what motivates purchasing decisions and how the process works. 

Thursday, March 6

• 10:00am-11:00am - Scaling Fast: Using Networks for Rapid Product Growth - Explore three case studies that demonstrate the value of using existing national networks to drive widespread product adoption and awareness. 
• 11:00am-12:30pm - Establishing The EdTech Startups Global Market - Connect with startups and edtech leaders from different parts of the world, who are successfully establishing a vigorous global market and share experiences, challenges and opportunities across the global edtech industry.

Explore more sessions aligned to our Startups & Investment track, plus check out the tags funding, entrepreneurship, and partnerships. Add this session lineup to your schedule and spend SXSW EDU 2025 making moves for your future.

See You at SXSW EDU 2025

Registration is open for SXSW EDU 2025! Book your hotel early for the best rates and hotel options March 3-6, 2025 in downtown Austin.

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