“There are three factors needed to make the world a better place: education, education, education”. This was underlined by Marjaana Sall, Ambassador for Education at Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, opening her speech at the presentation conference of NextEdu, the innovative European acceleration program for startups in the EduTech world.
The video presentation
The project is the result of the collaboration between OGR Torino, Fondazione Sviluppo e Crescita Crt and xEdu, the most important European accelerator in the sector based in Helsinki, Finland. The goal is to develop cutting-edge products, services and technologies for wide-ranging teaching and training, aimed at all age groups in different fields: students, from the first years of school to university, but not only. also professionals, employees and customers of companies, and more generally citizens.
“I believe that NextEdu fits perfectly with what is the mission of OGR Tech: to try to merge the best practices existing at an international level with the riches of our territory – explains Massimo Lapucci, CEO of OGR Torino and Secretary General of the Crt Foundation -. We want to create a bridge with the interesting Nordic experiences, making use of the support of Italian excellence, such as Zanichelli Venture “.
The reference market is particularly interesting: its value in 2021 was 250 billion dollars, it is estimated that it will reach 600 billion in 2027. All money well invested, Lapucci quotes Derek Bok: «” If you think that education is expensive, try ignorance “. These are investments that have a positive impact on society as a whole, in line with the United Nations’ goal number 4 for sustainable development: to provide quality, equitable and inclusive education, giving learning opportunities to all. Speaking of education, we mainly think of the school and students, but the project has a broader scope. I am thinking, for example, of the needs of workers to adapt or enrich their skills. EdTech solutions become more inclusive and allow you to reach a wider audience of people, increasing quality training opportunities. “
How the acceleration program works
NextEdu is aimed at Italian and European startups interested in developing their business idea in Italy, aiming for a total of 10 start-ups each year, offering digital solutions, innovative programs and cutting-edge technologies for teaching and digital training dedicated to all age groups.
The program will take place at Ogr Tech from May to October 2022 with the operational support of xEdu, which will accompany startups from development to market entry, up to the internationalization of learning solutions with impact in the school, pedagogical and professional fields. Applications are open until March 18. “Review your plans for the summer, if you work in the EdTech world, Turin will be the place to develop your business, find interesting contacts and try to become the next unicorn of EdTech europe – concludes Atti Korhonen, CEO xEdu -. We will work in presence, there will be room for contamination of thoughts and ideas, relying above all on the “coffee break effect”. And then in May in Turin there will also be the Eurovision Song Contest “.