Nordic EdTech News #5 : 2019-10-28
Your Week 42 & 43 update from the Nordic & Baltic EdTech ecosystems
This newsletter has previously covered numerous stories about the data EdTech (and other) companies collect from monitoring and tracking students, and how it is then used. With Facebook, Google and the rest of Big Tech constantly under the microscope for their use of personal data, the focus on (and debate around) data collection in schools will surely only get sharper.
This report by Danish broadcaster, DR, makes for compelling reading (DEN, ENG) in that context. Particularly alongside these reports on the ethics of using facial recognition in schools and more broadly, the booming global school security industry. It will be fascinating to see how Nordic and Baltic EdTech responds to these issues particularly given the impact on key Nordic values like equality, happiness and trust.
Nonetheless, I’m sure that those values will be strongly demonstrated by finalists in the 2019 Nordic Edtech Award, held this year at XcitED. Apply here by 4th November.
I’m also pleased to announce that Nordic EdTech News will be #XcitED’s official media partner - find out about the programme and get your tickets in the ad below.
Excited about the future of education and learning?
Join hundreds of EdTech-heads who share your passion! Professionals, entrepreneurs, investors and pioneers from all around the world meet at XcitED. The best EdTech startup event. Ever.
20 November, the day before Slush 2019, join us at Otaniemi Senior High to get #XcitED!
Regional news
Further detail announced about the work of the European Edtech Alliance. (Link)
Three of the DigiEduHack finalists are Nordic. Vote for your favourite NOW!
Edtech Finland launch a survey to discover the the technologies behind Nordic EdTech. Please get involved here!
KPMG report that the Nordic VC market continues “to grow and mature”. (Link)
Powerful argument for Denmark (and the Nordics) to develop a distinctive alternative to Silicon Valley, grounded in the region’s values. (Danish).
The Startup Heatmap Europe launches the most comprehensive study on the development of startup ecosystems and founder mobility to date. (Link)
Global trends
One to watch! TikTok makes an education push in India (Link) and gains traction in US schools. (Link)
Interesting perspectives on the mistakes EdTech companies make when selling to schools. (Link)
Useful pre-BETT Show publication highlighting the top ten challenges facing education and how EdTech can help address them. (Link)
Must-read HBR article: Integrating the Science of How We Learn into Education Technology. (Link)
News from Denmark
More new product features from Eduflow including public course pages, video submissions and Google authentication (Link)
Heyfunding have pulled together a comprehensive overview of the Danish startup ecosystem, mapping more than 1,500 initiatives and players. (Link)
KUBO featured by Mashable (Link) and announce new seasonal learning resources. (Link)
Velux Foundations announce a new 1 million DKK fund for children and young people's science and tech projects. (Den,Eng)
News from Estonia
Guaana introduce eight new challenges from JCI Digital Innovation Days. (Link)
HITSA and Estonian EdTech businesses meet to discuss collaboration and how best to develop better tools for Estonian schools. (Link)
Lingvist hailed as a leading EdTech startup by EU-Startups. (Link)
Tallinn identified as Europe’s leading startup hub. (Link)
Timo Timmi, Co-founder of 99math, was recognised as a leading teen CEO in a young entrepreneur competition organized by TransferWise. (Link)
News from Finland
Registrations are open for Aalto Ventures Programme , part of their Entrepreneurial Education Week between 9th and 12th December. (Link)
Arkki’s Children Innovate project in Vietnam has won at the UNICEF CFCI2019 Inspire Awards in the category of Meaningful Child Participation. (Link)
Edtech Finland announce three new events: What is the tech in EdTech? (30 Oct)
What are the lessons for EdTech from Design Thinking? (7 Nov) and an EdTech Talent Mingle (13 Nov). Get all the details and sign up here.Excellent insight into the global success of Eduten Playground with input and support from the University of Turku. (Fin)
Kide Science launch Chinese version of their website and close second deal in Thailand with new Edu+Craft studio, who’ll run extra-curricular Kide Science lessons from November 2019.
Mightifier identify 39% increase in students’ self esteem and growth mindset within 5 weeks. (Link)
PINO Network are looking for EdTech companies to join their 1st edu InnoFest in Oulu on November 12th. (Link)
Great summary of Pop2Talk’s experience of product testing in the UK. (Link)
How does wellbeing affect learning? School Day’s latest blogpost tells all. (Link)
xEdu publish a brilliant overview of the Finnish EdTech ecosystem (Link) and announce pitching night with FiBAN. (Link)
News from Iceland
Kara Connect open new office in Copenhagen. (Link)
Follow #menntaspjall, which always gives an amazing indication of Iceland’s vibrant teacher-led EdTech community, particularly on Twitter.
News from Latvia
Elina Ingelande, CEO of Learn IT, has been nominated as a Leading Scholar by One Young World. (Link)
Exonicus Inc continues to operate successfully in the US, particularly with virtual injury simulator. (Latvian)
Team 'EduFuture' wins the first Municipal Open Data Hackathon. (Lat)
News from Lithuania
BitDegree named 4th best startup in Lithuania and add Python courses onto their platform. (Link)
Vilnius has been named world number 1 for tech startups per capita in new research from fDi Intelligence. (Link)
News from Norway
17-year old student creates solution to his school’s timetable problems. (Nor)
Kahoot! raises 228MNOK soon after Oslo Stock Exchange listing. (Nor, Eng)
Microsoft host #EduDag in Oslo - well worth following announcements and developments on this hashtag across social.
ICYMI - the regular Inspiration posts from newSchool are always worth reading. Their latest on design thinking in primary schools is no exception. (Link)
Important conference at Norsk Teknisk Museum on Nov 11. For primary school teachers looking to integrate coding, making and STEM. (Nor, Eng)
News from Sweden
Fascinating insight from Government Inspector’s report into use of digital technologies in maths and technology teaching. (Swedish)
Six leading EdTech businesses (Admentum, Advania, Canvas, DigiExam, Lexplore and Matteappen) join forces to launch Next Level, a networking forum for digital decision-makers in schools. (Swe, Eng)
Still time to sign up for Edtech Southeast Sweden’s DIGIT event (5 Nov) that highlights digital innovation and collaboration for schools. (Swe, Eng)
Plenty of comment and coverage from last week’s EdTech Sweden event on social via #EdTechSweden
Gro Play celebrate as Grow Planet is named a finalist at the 2019 International Educational Games Competition and their PoDoCo research project will be presented at WCOL 2019
Haldor launch new planning app for teachers that integrates with Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Assignments. (Link)
Great coverage of the imagiLabs product and story in The Local. (Link)
Kognity announce agreement with Minnesota Association of IB World Schools and win European semi-finals of GESAwards. Grattis! (Link)
Thanks for reading and see you again in two weeks!
Best regards, Jonathan
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