Nordic EdTech News #3 : 2019-09-30
Your Week 38 & 39 news update from the Nordic & Baltic EdTech ecosystems
Evidence from the recent Dare to Learn event in Helsinki, combined with the volume of innovation outlined below, demonstrates that Nordic EdTech and Baltic EdTech are in robust health.
Nine brilliant startups pitched in the Scandinavian semi-finals of the 2019 GESAwards with Four Ferries eventually winning the judges’ vote and BeEd capturing the public vote. In the Hacking HE competition, Tampere Universities won with their unique Bazaar proposition.
This newsletter also highlights three significant global trends that have the potential to impact all regional EdTech businesses. Your feedback suggested these would be of value and so where appropriate, moving forwards I’ll include these. As always, your comments and feedback are most welcome (just reply to the email or comment on the web archive).
Finally, if you enjoy this newsletter, please share it and/or sign up to get it in your inbox every two weeks: https://nordicedtech.substack.com
PS - Where possible, links are provided in English, but opening links in and translating via Google Chrome should help non-native speakers!
Regional news
Computer Weekly reports that Nordic startups are pioneering the gamification of educational apps. (Link)
Invaluable insight from Edvisor emphasising the importance of the Ed in all EdTech products. (Link)
Respected US publication, Getting Smart, identifies 3 key drivers behind the success of the Nordic educational model. (Link)
Registrations are open for EdTech startups to apply for a demo space at XcitED. Great opportunity to get your proposition noticed and tested! Apply here by 20th October 2019.
Networking drinks and dinner also now confirmed following XcitED. The event is being hosted by the Night School, EdTech Finland,Education Finland, XEdu and N8. Sign up here.
xEdu’s Fall19 cohort announced and they’re already hard at work. (Link)
Global trends
The new Alexa Education Skill API allows EdTechs to easily create voice interfaces for their apps. (Link)
Happy 5th birthday to Google Classroom as new tool launches in North America to demonstrate how it impacts on learning outcomes / school goals. (Link)
Pearson publish Global Learner Survey highlighting the views of 11,000 learners in 19 countries. In a sentence - learners want to take charge of their own education.
News from Denmark
New analysis published about Denmark’s status as an AI Nation and how the opportunity can be harnessed in education and beyond. (Link)
ICYMI - Lessons in empathy form a core part of the Danish curriculum. (Link)
Finnish EdTech Kide Science wins Lego Ventures EdTech pitching competition at TechBBQ. (Link)
Fascinating insight into Lego Foundation’s presentation at the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. (Link)
New episode of Playful Learning podcast. Read and listen here (Link - in Danish)
News from Estonia
There are still opportunities to get involved with DigiEduHack and their Tallinn challenge on 4th October 2019. They’re seeking to redesign the learning experience - sign up here.
DreamApply announces deal with Digitary to transform the admission process for global higher education institutes. (Link)
Estonian Ministry of Education announce plans to support sustainable and scalable innovation in education as well as promoting closer international co-operation. Funding and grants available. (Link in Estonian)
Applications are open for the Nordic Angel Program by Estonian Business Angels Network - up to €250,000 is available. (Link)
Interesting summary from Startup Estonia of London EdTech Week. (Link)
News from Finland
Detailed analysis of the benefits of the Finnish schools’ system from The Guardian that matches positive results from a survey by national health watchdog.
3DBear recognized by Apple Education as a powerful AR EdTech for building literacy (Link) and featured in EdSurge piece on Apple’s AR ambitions in education. (Link)
The Finnish ‘Elements of AI’ online course reaches 200k signups and is selected as part of the voluntary continuing education for all EU staff. (Link)
Funzi stress importance of entrepreneurship education to help students develop the skills and mindset for 21st century success. (Link)
Kide Science made #climatestrike materials to cover the key science behind climate change. (Link)
Love Letters for Computers storms the Copenhagen Tech Festival.
Lyfta continue to gain traction in the UK, having trained nearly 100 students in September on their Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning course.
How Mehackit Atelier helps teachers to teach creative programming and enables students to create meaningful projects. (Link)
New Nordic School has signed 20 new agreements with schools in India, Singapore, Portugal and Finland to implement its educational system. (Link)
News from Iceland
New episode of the excellent Innovative Educator Podcast with Jesse Lubinsky. (Link)
Northstack publish 2018 Icelandic VC and startup funding report. (Link)
News from Latvia
ICEBREAKERS'19, Northern Europe’s largest student business festival, takes place in Riga on 4th October. (Story in Latvian here, sign up here)
'Start Up School' programme launched by Kurzeme Business Incubator and local universities to provide funding and mentoring to student teams. (Latvian)
TechHub Riga launches with international EdTech, Edurio, at the forefront.
News from Lithuania
BitDegree nominated for Disruptor Daily’s Blockchain in Education Use Case Awards. (Link)
Great insights from and into the Lithuanian startup ecosystem - HT Startup Wise Guys (Link)
News from Norway
Positive feedback online from Oslo EdTech Cluster’s event during Oslo Innovation Week 2019. Focused on power / role of testbeds and piloting new EdTech solutions, it featured Bioteknologirådet, Creaza, Edtech Southeast Sweden and Nacka municipality.
Kahoot! announce return of ‘Kahoot! Certified for schools’ programme with additional course content and a refreshed look & feel. (Link)
super:bit programme rolls out this month to Norwegian schools through a collaboration between national science centres, Lær Kidsa Koding! and national broadcaster NRK. (Link)
Lots of initiatives around Oslo Innovation Week to support coding including via Norkart AS and at Deichman Hovedbiblioteket (Link)
Plenty of interesting output from the EdTech KnowHow conference in Stavanger. This on the digitization and datafication of education from Ben Williamson is particularly thought-provoking.
Air:bit launched on Kickstarter and got 100% funded in just 9 hours - brilliant news!! You can still support the MakeKit team here.
Interesting debate in Aftenposten on the use of technology in schools. (Link - in Norwegian)
News from Sweden
Controversy surrounds proposed new primary school curriculum, in particular the removal of Ancient Civilisations. (Swedish)
ICYMI - Clio produce report on digitization in Swedish (and Danish schools) (Swe)
Thirty-six new Google for Education Certified Innovators identified - meeting in Stockholm between 6 and 8 November. (Link)
imagiLabs win in the Smart Learning category at this year's European Youth Awards. Grattis! (Link)
Learn2Esport highlight the benefits of including esports and gaming in schools (Swe)
Mobile Stories become the first Swedish project to receive funding from Google.org, helping to scale up their digital literacy programme. (Swe)
New online game, Parkgömmet, launched to help schools tackle issues around grooming and personal boundaries with 8 - 10 year olds. (Swe)
Great piece about Sana Labs and the role of AI in 2020s education. (Swe)
Soundtrap announces new partnership with Sweden’s national school project Make Music Matter! and ABBA The Museum. (Link)
Fascinating EdTech breakfast seminar from Veckans Affärer on 23rd October, featuring Swedish EdTech Industry. Details and sign up here!
Thanks for reading and see you again in two weeks!
Best regards, Jonathan
If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it and/or sign up to get it in your inbox every two weeks: https://nordicedtech.substack.com
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