Nordic EdTech News #118: 2024-09-02
Your Weeks 34 - 35 update from the Nordic and Baltic EdTech ecosystem
Hello and welcome to today’s Nordic EdTech News.
“What a breath of fresh air this event has been. Honest, grounded and motivational with knowledge sharing from some of the best in the industry.” Honestly, I couldn’t have written better feedback myself. This is exactly what I wanted to achieve from the Nordic EdTech Summit that took place in Skellefteå last week.
Initial feedback has been really positive and the event achieved its ambition to bring together EdTech founders, investors and thought leaders from across the Nordics and beyond. Delegates enjoyed insightful discussions, inspiring keynotes and lots of networking opportunities, helping them build new connections and gain new perspectives.
Thanks again to everyone who attended and everyone who spoke.
There was lots of interest in doing the event again in 2025. We’ll be reviewing delegate feedback in detail over the coming weeks and will share an update ASAP.
As you can see, the amazing Maria Spies, CEO of HolonIQ, joined the Summit to announce the 2024 Nordic Baltic EdTech 50 (Link). This is their annual list of the 50 most promising EdTech startups across the Nordic Baltic region.
The above URL has all of the deep dive you could need and huge congratulations to the companies who made the list.
Also at the Summit, Sanoma Learning launched the results from their 2024 European Teacher Survey, which represents the voice of 9,775 teachers across 8 countries (Link). It contains a wealth of invaluable information about the use of learning resources and highlights key differences between countries. But there’s a strong overall preference for a blended learning future with 95% of European teachers advocating for a mix of print and digital resources.
The creation and use of such resources in the Nordics is often a result of collaboration with teachers through a local or national testbed. In a new report, the Nordic EdTech Group provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of EdTech provision, testing and digitalisation across five Nordic countries—Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Finland. Please do take the time to read it!
It’s H1 reporting season for listed companies and it’s good to see three of our largest companies continue to do well.
Albert announced net sales of SEK 91 million for the half (up 1% year-on-year) and reduced losses, following a significant programme of measures to improve profitability. (Link)
Shape Robotics reported H1 revenues of DKK 106.1 million - a 90% increase on 2023 numbers, although EBITDA slipped slightly into loss. (Link)
Skolon confirmed net sales of SEK 63.7 million (up 65% yoy) from 778,336 paying users (674,158). That’s an increase of 15.5% compared to 2023. (Link)
And finally, if you’re heading to Tech BBQ (10-12 September) in Copenhagen, then don’t miss the team from Brighteye Ventures. They’re hosting a Garden Session on Wednesday 11th, where they’ll be in conversation with leading EdTech CEOs from PeakPath and Tomorrow University.
As always, if you’ve got a story that you’d like me to include in a future issue of this newsletter, please email hello@10digits.org, tag me on Twitter or LinkedIn or use #nordicedtech / #balticedtech.
Thanks for reading, Jonathan
News from Denmark
62% of those responding to a University of Copenhagen survey fear that AI will be used to both prepare and carry out teaching assignments. (Link)
It appears that the details behind the Google / KL agreement will not be made public. (Link)
Don’t miss the Emerge X Antler EdTech meetup in Copenhagen meetup! Weds 11 September - all details here.
In new research from Google, 71% percent of Danes aged 18 to 25 agree that the ability to use AI will be important in the future. However a third currently lack training in how to use it. (Link)
Tiimo, an app dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals with planning and learning tools, has successfully closed an additional €1.4 million funding round. (Link)
Tinyfarms land Avientek as their first international partner. They will focus on the Middle East, Africa and India. (Link)
News from Estonia
Congrats to ALPA Kids who were invited to attend gamescom as part of the official Estonian delegation. (Link)
News from Finland
Schools are responding to cost-pressures by not recruiting substitutes when teachers are absent. (Link)
Code School Finland starts working in Estonia (Link) and launches a new definition of AI literacy (Link).
Education Finland launched FUEL - Finnish-Ukrainian Edtech Launchpad to support the recovery in Ukraine with “the help of learning and EdTech!” (Link)
Kide Science won the Pre K-2 category at the 2024 Best of STEM Awards. (Link)
News from Iceland
Iceland prepares for a move away from standardised tests towards a process of ongoing assessment. (Link)
Jón Gunnar Þórðarson, MD of Bara tala, outlines how it helps immigrants and others to learn Icelandic. (Link)
News from Latvia
Two Apgāda Zvaigzne ABC learning materials have made it to the BELMA finals. (Link)
First StartSchool cohort gets underway helping to forge “the Tech Leaders of tomorrow.” (Link)
News from Lithuania
In a new survey by the National Education Agency's EdTech Centre, 65% of teachers said that they use digital educational tools every day, with 30% using them every week. (Link)
“How to Build an EdTech Unicorn?” is a new networking event, offering an opportunity for EdTech entrepreneurs and investors to learn, connect, and engage with Lithuania’s growing EdTech ecosystem. 5th September - details here.
News from Norway
NOK 300 million has been allocated as a “one-year earmarked subsidy for the purchase of printed teaching materials in primary schools.” (Link)
96% of primary schools in Norway have introduced restrictions on mobile phone use. (Link)
The attendance of up to 25,000 students at 13 universities and colleges is being GPS-tracked by the NOA app. (Link)
Scrimba has been embraced by MDN as their recommended course partner. (Link)
We Are Learning is teaming up with Wittario, to make learning “even more engaging, fun, and active.” (Link)
News from Sweden
The national government has charged Skolverket, the National Agency for Education, with investigating how digital devices are used in school and how the use differs between girls and boys. (Link)
From this autumn, secondary schools can offer AI on the timetable. But there are only 8 qualified teachers in the whole country at the moment. (Link)
Dugga signs a new customer, Learning Plus, in Vietnam and will provide a “seamless end-to-end solution, covering the entire assessment cycle.” (Link)
According to Swedish Tech Weekly, Readioo is “developing an AI-powered platform and device that aims to transform kids’ books into interactive adventures.” (Link)
Skolverket publishes a new report / survey of high school teachers' use and management of AI during spring 2024. (Link)
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